Disney and Marvel's "Deadpool & Wolverine" starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman has made a significant impact in the box office with a $38.5 million haul in Thursday previews. The film is on track for a domestic debut exceeding $150 million, setting a potential record for an R-rated film.
"Deadpool & Wolverine" is the first R-rated film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and has generated much anticipation among fans. The Thursday preview numbers are a key indicator of the film's potential opening weekend box office success, as seen with previous blockbuster releases.
Despite the R-rating, movie theater operators do not expect it to deter audiences, with some even considering it a selling point for the film. The movie is expected to earn between $160 million and $180 million during its debut, making it the highest opening weekend for a film in 2024 and the biggest debut of an R-rated film ever.
This film marks the 34th release under the MCU banner and the first to receive an R-rating from the Motion Picture Association. The acquisition of 20th Century Fox by Disney in 2019 brought the X-Men and Fantastic Four back into the Marvel portfolio, leading to the production of "Deadpool & Wolverine."
With Marvel Studios presenting a panel at the upcoming San Diego Comic Con and Disney's D23 Expo in August, the release schedule for future films could see changes. The firing of actor Jonathan Majors and production delays from last year's strikes may also impact the timeline for upcoming Marvel releases.