San Diego Comic-Con’s Hall H was electrified with excitement as Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman made a surprise appearance to promote their latest film, Deadpool & Wolverine. The pair, joined by co-star Emma Corrin, director Shawn Levy, and Marvel chief Kevin Feige, delivered an unforgettable finale to the convention’s bustling day with a special screening of their highly anticipated superhero film.
The event, aptly named “The Ultimate Deadpool & Wolverine Celebration of Life,” took place on the same day as the film’s global release, marking a high point in Reynolds and Jackman’s promotional tour. Clad in a red, white, and blue ensemble, Reynolds reminisced about his first Comic-Con experience with the original Deadpool movie, reflecting on how deeply the fan connection meant to him. “I remember making that movie for you, and I remember how gratifying it was that everyone else liked it too,” he shared.
Jackman added to the nostalgia by recounting his backstage experience from that initial Deadpool screening, where he witnessed the fervent crowd chant for a repeat viewing. “I ran backstage and I found the stage manager and said, ‘Play the footage again. If you don’t play the fucking footage again, they are going to tear Hall H to the ground,’” Jackman recalled, evoking laughter and cheers from the audience.
The surprise screening was made even more special with Reynolds cueing up a clip from Leslie Uggams’ character, Blind Al, urging, “Can we skip the bullshit and just show the damn movie?” The crowd, which packed Hall H to its 6,500-seat capacity, erupted in cheers as the lights dimmed and the film began.
Throughout the 2-hour runtime, the audience’s reactions were electric, especially during the film’s many Easter eggs and surprise cameos. The atmosphere reached a fever pitch with each reveal, further elevating Feige’s palpable delight.
Following the screening, Reynolds and Jackman took the stage again, expressing their gratitude and emotional responses to the experience. Reynolds called it an “emotional honor and a privilege” to share the moment with Jackman, while Jackman described watching the film with the Hall H crowd as one of the most incredible experiences of his life. He thanked Reynolds and Levy for creating the opportunity to reprise his role as Wolverine.
The celebration didn’t end with the screening. Marvel Studios capped off the evening with a spectacular 10-minute drone and fireworks show over Petco Park, featuring formations of Deadpool and Wolverine and a tease for what’s next from the studio, including updates on The Fantastic Four.
The film, which also stars Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, and Matthew Macfadyen, is already generating significant buzz. Early box office projections suggest Deadpool & Wolverine could earn between $160 million and $170 million in its opening weekend, surpassing the $132 million debut of 2016’s Deadpool. If the excitement continues to build, the film’s three-day total might even reach $190 to $200 million.
Produced by Feige, Reynolds, Levy, and Lauren Shuler Donner, with executive producers including Louis D’Esposito and Simon Kinberg, Deadpool & Wolverine is written by Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Zeb Wells, and Levy. The film marks a new chapter in the Deadpool saga, blending humor, action, and star power in a way only Marvel can deliver.
