Before the release of Deadpool & Wolverine, there were rumors about seeing the death of the X-Men in the movie, possibly with a very tragic scene showing how they met their fate. This speculation began circulating about a year before the film’s release. However, when the movie finally came out, we realized that none of this was included, and many fans were left wondering why.
Initially, scoopers suggested that the death of the X-Men was a deleted scene. However, this was not the case, as they would have had to pay the actors and include it if they had filmed it. Now, we know the real reason why the X-Men’s deaths were never even shot, thanks to comments from Shawn Levy, the film’s director.
Levy, speaking on the matter, explained,
Yeah, we talked about it. We ended up doing it with a soundscape and with sound design. We did talk about it, but ultimately it felt like the specifics of those characters’ deaths don’t matter to this story as much as the way they hurt Logan. And so, we chose to keep the focus on him.
This approach plays into the storytelling techniques known as ‘show, don’t tell’ and ‘tell, don’t show’. Depending on the director, writer, and overall talent involved, either technique can be executed successfully. In the case of Deadpool & Wolverine, the team chose to go with ‘tell, don’t show’.
If you watch the film, you can see how they handled Logan getting his mind probed and the emotions he experiences. By not showing the actual deaths of the X-Men, the film emphasizes the impact on Logan, which goes much further than simply showing Cyclops being destroyed, Storm being beheaded, or other tragic scenes. Hugh Jackman’s emotional performance allows us to feel the weight of what happened without having to see it. A good actor, a good director, and effective sound design can bring it all together, making us feel like we are experiencing the pain along with Logan.
Choosing not to show the deaths also maintains the mystery. If the film had shown all the X-Men getting attacked in the X-Mansion, followed by Wolverine arriving late, we would know exactly what he saw. However, that’s not the point. The goal was to feel Logan’s raw emotion, not just witness the events.
Of course, if the film were titled Deadpool Kills the X-Men Universe, then showing these scenes would have been necessary. But that’s not the story Deadpool & Wolverine set out to tell. In the end, keeping the focus on Logan’s emotional journey was the correct choice for the film.
In summary, while fans might have been eager to see the X-Men’s fate on screen, the decision not to include those scenes ultimately served the story better by keeping the spotlight on Logan’s experience and pain. This approach allowed viewers to connect with the character on a deeper level, proving that sometimes, what is left unseen can be more powerful than what is shown.Top of Form
