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This article originally ran on May 18, 2018.
Were republishing it now withDeadpool & Wolverinein theaters.
Ryan Reynoldss first appearance as the Merc With a Mouth wasnt in 2016sDeadpool.
Reynolds actually popped up in the climactic scene at the end of 2009sX-Men Origins: Wolverineas the merc withnomouth.
Literally: He wears a surgically sealed fleshy mess over the lower half of his face.
More unusually, screenwriters Skip Woods and David Benioff (yes,that Benioff!)
First appearances are incredibly important moments for comic-book collectors.
Take Deadpools printed debut inNew MutantsNo.
Which, in Deadpool currency, equals a whole lot ofchimichangas.
But after reviewing the footage, all involved could still tell it wasnt Reynolds playing Deadpool in the clash.
Wolverine looks at him: Gee, Wade.
Looks like youre the Merc without a mouth now.
But as far as those long arm blades and the laser eyes?
So they gave Deadpool arm blades instead.
Ridley Scott once told me, Stick with reality.
Well, that doesnt look cool.
And theyre not all so clear.
Katz is less diplomatic.
During hisGeek Generationinterview, he attributed the mishandling of Deadpool inX-Men Originsas his reason for quitting the studio.
The right character for Ryan is Deadpool, Katz recalled thinking on set.
[Then] I get hired at Fox.
Im told that Wolverine is going to be a $70 million, almost R-rated, 70s revenge movie.
But then what happens is that it becomes a summer release and it becomes anX-Men 4hybrid.
And if you dont want to introduce him in this fashion, well have someone else play him.
Mostly due in part to the fact that its easier to laugh when your mouth isnt sealed shut.
