I’ve been in the film industry for over two decades now, and I can’t help but feel a deep sense of sadness and frustration when I see this montage celebrating the “beautiful” end of Fox/Marvel era. I remember the excitement and anticipation surrounding the Fox/Marvel collaboration, the unique stories they brought to life, and the talented individuals who worked tirelessly behind the scenes.
Just like in most Marvel Cinematic Universe films, “Deadpool & Wolverine” includes an end credit scene. However, this Shawn Levy-directed production offers a twist: a montage during the credits. Filling nearly half the screen is a collage of footage from various 20th Century Fox Marvel movies, accompanied by Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” playing in the background. Viewers are treated to behind-the-scenes moments, interviews, and clips featuring Hugh Jackman speaking about the challenges of portraying Wolverine around the year 2000, especially as an unknown actor at the time. In a 2009 interview, Ryan Reynolds expresses his excitement about taking on the role of Deadpool.
In this scene, the spotlight isn’t just on Deadpool and Wolverine. Halle Berry and James Marsden from the X-Men team are featured having a good time on the set of the initial X-Men film. A clapper board is shown along with the filming of a fight sequence for Jennifer Garner’s Elektra. Footage from all three Fantastic Four movies produced by Fox is included. This montage is intended to resemble something that would be presented at a funeral, serving as a fond farewell to the past.
It’s quite fitting indeed, as the film ” Deadpool & Wolverine” marks the conclusion of Fox’s Marvel adaptations. Now, Deadpool and his pals have officially joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In this movie, Deadpool and Wolverine engage in an epic battle in front of a crumbling 200th Century Fox logo. Several other Fox/Marvel characters make appearances in “Deadpool & Wolverine” to finally receive the resolution they never got in their standalone franchises. The use of that Green Day song is also a nod back to the early 2000s when Fox started producing and financing Marvel films. As Marvel Studios integrates these characters into its grand narrative, the end credit scene in “Deadpool & Wolverine” could be seen as a tribute to the past.
As a gamer, I’m thrilled to see this montage celebrating Marvel’s 20th Century Fox films. It’s not just about the blockbusters, it goes deeper and brings back memories of lesser-known titles like “Elektra” and “Fantastic Four.” It’s refreshing to see a montage that acknowledges these movies, not just the ones with continued franchises. The genuine interviews with Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds add a personal touch. The final moment, the heartwarming scene from “Logan,” is beautifully left uninterrupted, making it even more impactful.
Despite the events unfolding before me, I couldn’t shake off an uneasy sensation that something wasn’t right. What was it about this collage that gave me a sense of unease? It suddenly dawned on me: it was a tribute to a past that didn’t have to fade away. The reason the 20th Century Fox era of Marvel movies came to an end wasn’t due to the natural progression of things or the demise of a vital creative mind. Instead, corporate consolidation paved the way for the production of films like “Deadpool” and “Wolverine,” as well as this montage.
From another perspective, the montage now carries a darker undertone. It’s as if a villain was eulogizing their own heinous acts during their funeral, showcasing the “arsonist and fireman” paradox. Previously, this sequence felt like a delightful deviation from standard Marvel Studios credit scenes. Yet, upon reflection, an unsettling feeling seeped into this montage.
As someone who grew up in the 90s and attended countless high school graduations and farewell parties, I can’t help but cringe every time “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day comes on. Don’t get me wrong, the song is catchy and has a great melody, but its true meaning is often misunderstood or overlooked.
Billie Joe Armstrong’s vocals add an authentic sense of frustration to the song, implying that he too battles with a deep-rooted existential anxiety that is hard to grasp. In the face of such complexity, all we can do sometimes is acknowledge that “it’s something unpredictable” and accept “in the end, it’s just how it goes.” The uncertainty at the heart of this song makes it an ill-suited soundtrack for a montage, particularly one marking the end of the Fox/Marvel era. It may be clear why that period ended, but the reasons behind it remain elusive. “Good Riddance” is a fitting title for dealing with personal struggles like depression or broken relationships. Using it to cover up the harsh realities of corporate consolidation feels disrespectful.
After the Disney-Fox merger in 2019, it was estimated that approximately 4,000 employees would be let go. Sadly, projects like “Mouse Guard” were terminated only weeks before production began. Fox 2000 Pictures, a label known for producing films featuring diverse casts (such as “Life of Pi,” “The Hate U Give,” and “Hidden Figures”), ceased operations shortly after the merger. Blue Sky Studios, a Fox animation house, unexpectedly closed its doors in April 2021, during the 13th month of the pandemic. Movie theaters have also been negatively affected by this merger. In contrast to the 15 and 16 new wide releases delivered to theaters in 2015 and 2016, respectively, only three titles were released by 20th Century Fox in 2023. The same number of films is expected from this label in the current year.
As a long-time fan of Fox/Marvel movies, I can’t help but feel deeply saddened by the way the merger between Disney and Marvel Studios has affected everyday moviegoers and creatives in the industry. The end credits of “Deadpool & Wolverine” serve as a painful reminder of this reality. It’s disingenuous for Disney/Marvel to try and manipulate public perception of Fox/Marvel’s demise by using the same audio and visual cues that we’ve come to know and love from mid-credits tributes, such as the one dedicated to the late Pixar artist Joe Ranft in “Cars.”
Despite being intriguing, the history of the X-Men movies and collaborations between Fox and Marvel is quite complex and can’t be simply summarized here. Regrettably, this past era has left its mark with issues such as abuse allegations against Bryan Singer and Brett Ratner. Additionally, 20th Century Fox resisted Josh Trank’s casting choice of a Black actress for Sue Storm/Invisible Woman in Fantastic Four. Ben Affleck’s disdain for Daredevil is another noteworthy point. However, it’s essential to remember that the contributions of the crew members involved in these productions should not be overlooked. Nor does enjoying Marvel or Fox films make one a “bad” person.
As a long-time film enthusiast and someone who closely follows the entertainment industry, I can’t help but feel disappointed by the recent montage Disney released showcasing their history with Fox and Marvel. Now, I understand that this sequence is intended to provide a neat interpretation of the Disney-Fox merger. But, as someone who lived through the Fox/Marvel era, I believe it falls short of presenting a fully dimensional portrait.
As a gamer and fan of Fox/Marvel cinematic universe, I can only hope that some of the artists and actors behind these beloved characters find solace in this montage. The nostalgic glimpses into our past may bring cheers from the audience, offering underappreciated visual effects teams and crew members a long-overdue recognition. However, for me, Deadpool and Wolverine’s conceptually poignant end credits tribute feels unsettling. It serves as a stark reminder of media monopolies and how easily history can be rewritten. That’s not the heartfelt homage to artists I was expecting. Even X-Men Origins: Wolverine deserved better treatment than this!
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2024-07-26 17:15