When Deadpool hit theaters in 2016, its positive critical reception and near-$800 million global box office haul were proof that superhero films could succeed with an R rating, excessive violence, dark humor and coarse language. However, now that Disney owns the film rights to Deadpool through its acquisition of Fox, the Merc with a Mouth might see some changes, and according to director David Leitch, that doesn't have to be a bad thing.
"It's rated R so that's not necessarily the [MCU] brand but he doesn't necessarily need to be R and [Disney] don't necessarily need to only make PG-13 movies," Leitch told Yahoo.
Apparently, there is a lot of uncertainty with regards to the correct approach to Deadpool, who has become a beloved mainstream superhero. "There's a lot of mystery still surrounding what they want to do with Deadpool in [Disney’s] Marvel world but I think, from discussions that I've heard, it's all positive," Leitch explained.
The eccentric mercenary last appeared in Deadpool 2, which paved the way for an X-Force film that was in the early stages of development until the Disney-Fox deal. The sequel was later edited and re-released as a Christmas movie, Once Upon a Deadpool, with a PG-13 rating, showing the foul-mouthed antihero might still work for younger audiences.
Currently, no official announcement has been made regarding Deadpool and his introduction into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, given the carefully established tone of Marvel Studios' popular franchise, it's likely Leitch will be proven right and we will see a Merc with a PG-13 Mouth.