Deadpool and Korg React

Deadpool and Korg React is a 2021 American superhero promotional short film featuring the Marvel Comics characters Deadpool and Korg. The film was written and directed by Ryan Reynolds, with him and Taika Waititi respectively starring as Deadpool and Korg. In Deadpool and Korg React, Wade Wilson and Korg react to the trailer of Free Guy (2021) before discussing the possibility of joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Reynolds reprises his role from the X-Men film series, while Waititi reprises his role from the MCU films Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Avengers: Endgame (2019).

Deadpool and Korg React
A screenshot from the film depicting Deadpool and Korg
Directed by	Ryan Reynolds
Written by	Ryan Reynolds
Based on	Deadpool by Rob Liefeld     Fabian Nicieza Korg by Greg Pak     Carlo Pagulayan
Produced by	Ryan Reynolds
Starring	Ryan Reynolds Taika Waititi
Production company	Maximum Effort
Release date	July 13, 2021 (2021-07-13)
Running time	4 minutes^[1]
Country	United States
Language	English

Deadpool and Korg React was originally released to Reynolds' YouTube channel on July 13, 2021, as promotion for Free Guy, which also stars Reynolds and Waititi. Responses to the short praised it as a tease for Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) and for showing the character's narrative potential in the MCU. Its humor was also highlighted by many critics.

Plot

After making a trailer reaction video for Cruella (2021) as part of a series called Deadpool's Maximum Reactions, Deadpool invites Korg to make a similar video for the trailer for Free Guy (2021). Deadpool asks Korg of his opinion of Taika Waititi while commenting as to his own lack of resemblance to Ryan Reynolds' character in the film. Following the video, Deadpool asks Korg about his own chances of joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), to which Korg responds by complimenting the possibilities and telling him to keep an eye out for an email from Marvel Studios.

Cast

 

Ryan Reynolds reprises the role of Wade Wilson / Deadpool from the X-Men film series

 

Taika Waititi reprises the role of Korg from the Marvel Cinematic Universe

• Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson / Deadpool: A wisecracking mercenary with accelerated healing but severe scarring over his body after undergoing an experimental regenerative mutation.
• Taika Waititi as Korg: A Kronan gladiator who befriended Thor, who was forced to participate in the Contest of Champions on the planet Sakaar.

Background

After the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by The Walt Disney Company was announced in December 2017 and completed in March 2019, all X-Men films in development were canceled, including X-Force and Fox's Deadpool 3, with Marvel Studios taking control of the franchise.^[2][3] Disney CEO Bob Iger said that Deadpool would be integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe under Disney,^[4] and the character's films could remain R-rated "as long as we let the audiences know what's coming".^[5]

By Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox, Free Guy had been in development since 2016, and is one of the first Fox films to continue production under Disney ownership, as well as under the studio's new name 20th Century Studios.^[6] Deadpool and Korg React references the film's release delays, from July 2020 to August 2021.^[7][8][9] Reynolds had first pitched a short film featuring Deadpool interrogating the hunter who killed Bambi's mother, from the 1942 film Bambi, and would have seen Deadpool trying to find out how to become a loathed character. After that pitch was denied by Disney, development on Deadpool and Korg React began.^[10]

Release

Deadpool and Korg React was released to Ryan Reynolds' YouTube channel on July 13, 2021,^[1] acquiring over 4 million views within 24 hours.^[11]

Reception

Upon its release, Deadpool and Korg React received a positive response. Empire praised the dialogue and the chemistry between both characters.^[12] Syfy Wire commented that seeing the two "fan-favorite" characters together for the first time was "incredibly cool", and speculated it could be a way to get fans used to the idea of Deadpool becoming a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe before an actual introduction,^[13] while Nerdist considered it to be "a very unexpected way" for Deadpool to officially join the shared universe.^[14] Other outlets expressed doubt over it being an official integration of the character to the universe.^[12][15][16]

See also

• No Good Deed, a short film starring Reynolds as Wilson that screened before Logan
• Team Thor, a series of short films directed by Waititi that served as marketing for Thor: Ragnarok

References

1. Reynolds, Ryan (July 13, 2021). Deadpool and Korg React (YouTube). Retrieved July 18, 2021.
2. Donnelly, Matt (December 27, 2019). "Ryan Reynolds Says 'Deadpool 3' Is in the Works at Marvel". Variety. from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
3. Knight, Lewis (January 13, 2019). "X-Men and Fantastic Four films 'cancelled' at Fox after Disney acquisition". Daily Mirror. from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
4. White, Peter; Hayes, Dade (December 14, 2017). "Disney-Fox Deal: Bob Iger Discusses Digital Future, James Murdoch, Hulu and $2B Cost Savings". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on December 16, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
5. Couch, Aaron (December 14, 2017). "'Deadpool' Can Stay R-Rated at Disney, Says Bob Iger". The Hollywood Reporter. from the original on December 15, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
6. Romano, Nick; Aquilina, Tyler (October 3, 2019). "Ryan Reynolds turns videogame hero (or not) in first Free Guy footage and poster". Entertainment Weekly. from the original on January 4, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
7. Welk, Brian (April 3, 2020). "'Black Widow' Moves to November as Other MCU Films Shift Back to 2021, 2022". TheWrap. from the original on April 3, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
8. Ramos, Dino-Ray (December 7, 2019). "Fox Releases First Trailer For 'Free Guy'; Ryan Reynolds Refers To Unlikely Superhero Origin Story As Modern-Day 'Back To The Future' – CCXP". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
9. Kit, Borys (September 28, 2018). "Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy Team for Action Comedy 'Free Guy' Boy of Pandemic". The Hollywood Reporter. from the original on October 4, 2019. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
10. LeBlanc, Wesley (August 4, 2021). "Ryan Reynolds Reveals the Deadpool - Bambi Crossover Pitch He Made To Disney". IGN. from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
11. Mellon, Rory (July 14, 2021). "Deadpool just joined MCU in the best video you'll see all week". Tom's Guide. from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
12. White, James (July 13, 2021). "Deadpool And Korg React To The Free Guy Trailer In Funny New Video". Empire. from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
13. Weiss, Josh (July 13, 2021). "Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool finally [kinda] joins the MCU in 'Free Guy' reaction vid with Taika Waititi's Korg". Syfy Wire. from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
14. Diaz, Eric (July 13, 2021). "Deadpool Makes His First MCU Appearance Alongside Korg... for Free Guy". Nerdist. from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
15. Boccella, Maggie (July 13, 2021). "Deadpool Makes His Disney+ MCU Plea in This Wild, Korg-Featuring 'Free Guy' Trailer Reaction". Collider. from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
16. Tapp, Tom (July 13, 2021). "Deadpool And Korg Watch Trailer For Ryan Reynolds-Taika Waititi Movie". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.

External links

• Deadpool and Korg React on YouTube