Summary

Disney CEO Bob Iger believes
Deadpool & Wolverine
will be very successful, in contrast to recent Marvel films.
Iger addresses “audience fatigue” where superhero movies and film franchises are concerned.
Marvel’s new strategy focuses on quality over quantity, with high hopes for Deadpool’s first entry in the MCU.

The Merc with a Mouth has the Disney CEO in his corner. Yes, Bob Iger loves Deadpool & Wolverine’s chances at becoming a theatrical success. While presenting at the Morgan Stanley media and telecom conference on Tuesday, Iger revealed his thoughts on how he believes the Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman-led MCU entry will fare when it drops in cinemas this summer. Iger said (per The Hollywood Reporter):

[Deadpool & Wolverine] will be one of the more successful Marvel movies we’ve had in a long time.

Deadpool & Wolverine Release Date July 26, 2024 Studio Marvel Studios, 20th Century Studios, 21 Laps Entertainment Tagline Everyone deserves a happy ending. Franchise Marvel

Iger also addressed the notion of “audience fatigue,” and insisted the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s success was “not an accident.” According to Business Insider, the MCU has made over $29 billion so far at the global box office. Iger continued to argue the point at the conference by saying:

“A lot of people think it’s audience fatigue; it’s not audience fatigue. They want great films. And if you build it great, they will come. and there are countless examples of that. Some are ours and some are others. Oppenheimer is a perfect example of that. Just a fantastic film.”

Marvel Is Moving Forward by Reducing Output

Bob Iger has high hopes for Deadpool & Wolverine. While some MCU films like The Marvels disappointed at the box office, Marvel has still enjoyed their share of success stories since the record-setting ways of Avengers: Endgame in 2019. For instance, Spider-Man No Way Home (2021) made $1.92 billion (per Box Office Mojo), and it even dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic. So, as the Disney CEO points out, it may not be audience fatigue after all. Iger said in the same interview:

“Focus is really important. We reduced the output of Marvel, both [the] number of films they make and the number of TV shows, and that really becomes critical, but I feel good about the team. I feel good about the IP we’re making. I talked about a lot of the projects. We look years ahead, really. And it’s iterative.”

Last year, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) became the second highest-grossing installment in that particular series of MCU films with a worldwide total of $846 million. Today, James Gunn busily prepares Superman to take flight for the DCU, but the former Marvel filmmaker played a significant role in making the Guardians of the Galaxy movies such a success. Iger continued:

“Not only do you look at the films you’re making, you look at every part of that process: Who the directors are, who’s being cast, reading scripts. I personally watch films three to five times with the team and just create a culture of excellence and respect, which is really important with the creative community. And again, the track record speaks for itself.”

Deadpool & Wolverine
opens in theaters on July 26.