Once Deadpool 2 had its time in theaters this past summer and was subsequently released on home media, it was naturally assumed that would mark the end of the movie's journey. However, late last month, it was announced that the sequel would head back to theaters, only this would be a PG-13 cut more accessible younger viewers than the original R-rated cut.
CinemaBlend's own Eric Eisenberg recently sat down with Deadpool 2 writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick and discussed how this PG-13 version of the sequel is being put together. The duo mentioned how they filmed a Princess Bride spoof to serve as a framing device, and Eric subsequently asked if things like clever editing, ADR work and/or censor bleeps are what make a PG-13 Deadpool 2 work, leading Wernick to respond:
Oh, I would say all of the above. And also again, the narrative device [of The Princess Bride story], the new stuff that we shot really kind of frames it in a fun, interesting, cool way that I think people who have seen the movie already will want to go see this because it's outrageous and fun and funny in only a way Deadpool can kind of tell a story. I think it's going to be a one that not only kids are going to want to see but hopefully, you know, people who have known and loved Deadpool and have seen all of the first and second one will go see because they'll be like, 'Holy shit, I can't believe that they did that.'
Thanks to Ryan Reynolds, who teased the PG-13 Deadpool 2 hours before it was reported, we've known that this new version of the movie would parody The Princess Bride, even going so far as to bring in Fred Savage to sit in that bed like he did when Peter Falk read him that bedtime story over 30 years ago. Throw in those other technical aspects, and they all come together to form a Deadpool movie that not just kids can see in theaters, but also that impresses older Merc with the Mouth fans who've already seen the character's first two movies.
Deadpool is unquestionably one of the weirdest Marvel characters, and it's often times easier to write adult material for him than most of the company's other heroes. As Rhett Reese also noted while speaking with CinemaBlend that although the both Deadpool movies were rated R, turning Deadpool 2 into a PG-13 offering didn't alter it as much as you'd think. In Reese's words:
And the real surprise... one of the great surprises of it is how well Deadpool works at PG-13. We always wondered, because the original Deadpool, we flirted with PG-13 a couple times on it and we ended up going R, and it does give it a certain edge and a certain quality that we're glad we turned it into an R. But trimming it down to PG-13, aside from the fact that the movie is now 10 minutes long -- I'm kidding -- but trimming it down to PG-13 really left basically the same movie there. I mean, it was shocking how well it works. Anyway, it doesn't feel defanged in the way that people might expect, or critics might worry about. It still feels pretty darn edgy and yet, it's more accessible to a younger audience.
We'll have to wait and see exactly how this PG-13 Deadpool 2 differs from the version shown earlier this year, but it should prove to be an interesting experiment that younger fans can now check out without adult supervision. It might also give us an indicator on how Deadpool could function within the Marvel Cinematic Universe should Marvel Studios decide to take the character in a more family-friendly (but hopefully still edgy and hilarious) direction.
The PG-13 Deadpool 2 will be released on December 21, though there's no word on how long this theatrical run will last. But if you'd rather check out the original R-rated Deadpool 2, it's available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD. As for what else is coming for the rest of the year, check out our 2018 release schedule.
