Deadpool , the latest superhero movie based off the Marvel Universe, is proving that even a rated R comic book movie can generate massive amounts of money. The opening weekend box office is set to break box office records like Deadpool breaks the fourth wall. In fact, Deadpool broke a box office record on opening night by generating $12.7 million, breaking a record for rated R Thursday night openings. After yesterday’s sales of $47.5 million, Deadpool is on pace to be the highest grossing movie over President’s Day weekend.
Last year, Fifty Shades of Grey was the Hollywood hit that raked in $93 million over President’s Day weekend. Based on ticket sales from Thursday and Friday, Deadpool is being projected to bring in between $118 million and $123 million for the three-day opening weekend. Extrapolating to include President’s Day on Monday, the four-day box office total is projected to be between $129 million and $136 million.
Deadpool , starring Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson/Deadpool, was made with a budget of $58 million. Marvel has already broken even on the movie and is $2 million in the black with profit already. Earlier this week, The Inquisitr reported that a sequel for Deadpool had already approved before the movie even debuted in theaters. Some speculated that approving a sequel was premature and that the studio should have waited to see if an R-rated superhero could draw the massive amounts of money that superhero movies are used to generating. Based on the opening weekend box office, Marvel has nothing to worry about.
Fondly referred to as the “Merc with a Mouth,” Deadpool is one of the few superheroes in either the DC and Marvel Universes that is marketed towards adults more than children. Without giving too much away, the movie follows the story of Wade Wilson. Wilson has incurable cancer that is ending his life. A secret program tells Wilson that they are able to cure his cancer and the treatment will turn him into a superhero. Wilson uses his new powers to become Deadpool.
In the comics, Deadpool is very aware that he is a comic book superhero. The character commonly breaks the fourth wall in order to address the reader directly. During these fourth wall breaks, the character tends to unleash his dark sense of humor to his audience.
Reviews for the movie have been quite positive and strong. According to RottenTomatoes Tomatometer, the movie has an average rating of 7.1 out of 10. The audience review is much stronger with an audience score of 96 percent. The most important review, according to some, came from the 94-year-old Betty White.
I love @VancityReynolds …here are a few of my thoughts about his new movie #Deadpool . https://t.co/9Bkz9DpyF0
— Betty White (@BettyMWhite) February 11, 2016
Others on Twitter have made their comments, and clearly loved what they saw.
There’s a Venn diagram of people who love the “Deadpool” movie and Maxim magazine, and it’s one circle.
— Mark Leggett (@markleggett) February 13, 2016
Everyone please go see Deadpool it’s so good!????????
— Lucas (@tbhbeanz) February 13, 2016
Me: “What would you like to do for our anniversary?” Her: “Let’s go see Deadpool.” She guaranteed herself another 19 years. #deadpoolromance
— ProWrestling.net (@prowrestlingnet) February 13, 2016
Deadpool is possibly my favorite superhero movie – ever. Smart, funny, irreverent, meta, moving, a bit bloody for me, but still – LOVED it.
— Peter Paige (@ThePeterPaige) February 13, 2016
It looks like Ryan Reynolds has shed the black cloud that hovered over him after starring in Green Lantern. As far as comic book fans are considered, Reynolds is Deadpool.
Were you part of the millions of people who helped Deadpool set the box office on fire? What were your thoughts on the movie?
[Image Via Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP]