Key conclusions
- Deadpool & Wolverine reneged on their promise not to affect Logan's emotional ending by spoiling his legacy.
- Hugh Jackman's return as Wolverine to the MCU dilutes the closure of Logan in 2017.
- The return of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom creates a similar risk of a repeat of the Logan effect in the MCU.
Earlier Deadpool and Wolverine released, Ryan Reynolds took to social media to clarify that the film will not affect Logan ends either way. Unfortunately, he was wrong—and not just in a meta-joking way, as his character in the film admits by digging up his remains in the very first scene.
The film, which marked the entry of Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool, into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) did a lot of things right. It did solid box office numbers, fans and critics alike seemed to mostly like it, and it was the most refreshing addition to the MCU in a while, after quite a few failures. However, the film still botched one of the most emotional endings a superhero movie has ever produced Logan in 2017.

Relatives
Deadpool and Wolverine 2 would ruin what was special about the first film
Deadpool & Wolverine was special because it did something no one else in the MCU did. A sequel would tone it down.
Deadpool and Wolverine Breaks his promise Logan Ventilators
Before anyone jumps to the defense of Ryan Reynolds or Marvel: yes, the logic is airtight. This is a completely different Logan from an alternate reality that has nothing to do with the hero who dies fighting X-24 in Logan. Argument in favor Deadpool and Wolverine in that everything is different here: the movie, the franchise, the treatment, the timeline, the universe, etc. But it still reduces the value Logan and changes how fans will perceive this film in the future.
In September 2022, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman confirmed in a teaser video that their upcoming film is “an entirely separate thing.” logan, which takes place in 2029. They've reaffirmed that they won't be touching on the clawed hero's iconic on-screen death. Fast forward to 2024, where Deadpool and Wolverine willfully reneges on this promise. The film opens with the Merc with a Mouth desecrating Logan exhumed the remains, and before killing the TVA agents with bones encased in adamantium, he says:
How do we do this without dishonoring Logan's memory? And I will tell you how. We are not.
Logan Legacy deserves more than multiverse correspondence
Hugh Jackman's return as Wolverine was dependent on the new film not being affected Logan in any way. Marvel's conviction came through their narrative technique of changing multiverse branches. Logan director James Mangold even gave a nod of approval only after he was relieved that the new film would take place before or outside the events of his film. But the problem is that it is not that simple. Viewers remember faces and emotions, not options and terms.
At the risk of upsetting fans of mainstream blockbuster comics, Logan deserves to be on a higher cinematic pedestal in discussions like Christopher Nolan The Dark Knight. And it's not only a darker and harsher approach to the material. The film dealt with complex ideas such as mortality, sacrifice and legacy, borrowing from Old Logan storylines from comics and other masterpieces such as Alfonso Cuaron Children are human. James Mangold went all-in and revealed what he really is beneath the superhero's metal claws and healing powers: a brutal man who accepts death.
Logan Farewell seems divorced after Wolverine's return
Hugh Jackman was never supposed to return to Logan after his last job provided the perfect farewell for the character. His revival and joining the MCU makes sense in terms of the sheer fanfare it generated. However, all of the complex themes and sense of closure discussed above now feel like they've been flushed down the drain. And it's not like someone erased every copy Logan off the face of the planet. The film will remain relevant to new audiences, but it won't have the same impact it did when it seemed like the farewell to the X-Men was truly final.
Logic and emotions are two opposing factors. Bringing back Wolverine in the new movie makes perfect sense, while removing him Logan was violent and emotional. As a collective audience, it's easy to accept why he's back, but individual sensitivities make it hard to accept Logan tragic finale now. At first everything seemed fine, as Deadpool and Wolverine did a good job of creating a significant arc for his “loser” Logan variant. However, upon re-watching the 2017 film, it seems like Marvel let the character down for a few (billion) extra dollars.
The return of Robert Downey Jr. can repeat Logan The effect
This is all the more concerning given the return of Robert Downey Jr. to the MCU as Doctor Doom. While Doom certainly won't be some version of Iron Man, audiences can't help but associate the actor with Tony Stark as soon as they see his face. The Logan the effect may repeat itself here, and there is an imminent risk of softening Avengers: Endgame an almost perfect ending. Imagine re-watching one RDJ sacrifice his life to save the universe, knowing full well that there is another RDJ who will attempt to destroy the multiverse in the same film series. it is possible Deadpool and Wolverine is a reminder to multiverse movies not to go wrong with returning actors or characters.