Marvel developing unexpected sequel for one of its biggest movies, reports say

Marvel Studios may have been closing the purse, taking less risks, and focusing on surefire hits in recent months, but it sounds like it might be getting back in the business of greenlighting some sequels in the not-to-distant future. Why? Because they know that the projects will be surefire successes.

It's true that the studio was forced to rethink its approach when its juggernaut Marvel Cinematic Universe experienced two financial underperformers at the box office in the same calendar yet. Furthermore, one of its most expensive TV shows was released that same year and it received an incredibly negative response from both audiences and critics, which may have resulted in it too performing below Marvel's expectations.

Things have been streamlined and the studio bounced back strong this year with the billion-dollar sensation Deadpool and Wolverine and super successful Disney Plus series Agatha All Along (which was the least-expensive MCU show yet). And that return to form has reignited excitement in the Multiverse Saga.

It also may have resulted in the studio planning a sequel to one of those titles.

Deadpool and Wolverine sequel reportedly in the works

According to veteran Marvel insider MyTimeToShineHello, Marvel Studios has already begun discussing a Deadpool and Wolverine sequel. Though no details have been shared on when it could come out, or even what it could be about, it's easy to see why those discussions could be underway.

Deadpool and Wolverine was one of the MCU's biggest ever hits, grossing an incredible $1.33 billion against a budget of $200 million. Not only was it the huge win that the Marvel Studios franchise needed after the underperformances of The Marvels and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, it was evidence that the notion of superhero fatigue is simply but a myth.

The film has broken countless records at the box office, most notably going on to become the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time. It's currently the 20th highest-grossing movie ever and the seventh-highest-grossing film in the MCU franchise. So it goes without saying that this one was a risk worth taking, and one that might have guaranteed the MCU a new franchise within.

The reason that a film like Deadpool and Wolverine was considered a risk wasn't just down to the fact that it was the first R-rated movie in the MCU; it also had to do with the fact that it was using pre-established characters that weren't a part of the MCU franchise. A Deadpool movie existing within the world of the MCU once felt unheard of, but to successfully pull that off while bringing in Wolverine and other elements from the Fox X-Men movies and somehow merge that with the MCU's current product? Again, it was a risk. And again, it paid off.

One way or another, Deadpool and Wolverine's returns are inevitable

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman were positively electric on-screen and the amazing success that the movie experienced is proof that fans are ready for more Deadpool, more Wolverine, and more X-Men. While the film's ending certainly implied that we're getting all of those things, the notion of a Deadpool and Wolverine sequel is somewhat surprising given that the futures of both characters are seemingly set for now.

While Marvel Studios hasn't officially announced any plans for a direct sequel to the film, they have acknowledged that we will see both characters again in the near-future. A number of reports have suggested that they will return in both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, which are both set to bring the Multiverse Saga to a close. Given how imperative Wade Wilson and Logan have been to it, that would make sense.

The pair's violent, crude, and over-the-top adventures would obviously have to be dialled back for an Avengers movie, but the more we think about all of it returning in a potential sequel, the more excited we get.

As always when it comes to Marvel rumors, take this one with a grain of salt; but after the overwhelming success of Deadpool and Wolverine this year, it would be wise of the studio to consider making that much-needed sequel.