Amid the f-bombs, blood, and gore, a wholesome moment from Deadpool and Wolverine is actually a surprise nod to one of the Marvel Phase 5 movie's biggest comedy influences.
As revealed by Ryan Reynolds on Twitter, the third act scene which features his Merc with the Mouth and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine bonding over shawarma has parallels to Planes, Trains and Automobiles, starring Steve Martin and John Candy as an odd couple embarking on a cross-country road trip after their flight home is suddenly diverted.
#DeadpoolAndWolverine ❤️💛➡️ ✈️ 🚂 🚗 pic.twitter.com/QwfNwlFhYoAugust 13, 2024
As you can see, Wolverine and Deadpool's pose – and composition of the shot – closely resembles Martin and Candy's conversation outside the Braidwood Inn motel in the 1987 comedy classic. It even matches the dynamic found in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, as a jokester – Candy and Reynolds – ultimately whittle down their more po-faced companion.
Prior to release, director Shawn Levy had been transparent about Planes' inspiration on the premise of Deadpool and Wolverine – itself a road trip comedy in all but name.
It's not the only Easter egg of reference to the movie found within, either. Speaking to Variety, Levy pointed another example of how Deadpool and Wolverine pays tribute to Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
"Maybe you’ll notice a walk-and-talk scene on a green rolling hillside, and there’s the charred vehicle and trunk from 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' inexplicably parked on the hillside," Levy noted, a reference to the Void scenes post-first Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin) meeting. "That’s a nod to that movie, which inspired a lot of the DNA of our movie."
For more in the way of the threequel's on-screen secrets, you'll want to check out our breakdowns of Deadpool and Wolverine Easter eggs and Deadpool and Wolverine cameos.
Then dive into the MCU's past, present, and future with our guides on upcoming Marvel movies and how to watch the Marvel movies in order.
