Deadpool 2 (2018)

Deadpool 2, directed by David Leitch, is the action-packed, irreverent, and ultra-meta sequel to 2016’s surprise hit Deadpool. With Ryan Reynolds back in the red suit, the film amps up the stakes, violence, and emotion—all while gleefully breaking the fourth wall at every opportunity. This guide will walk you through the entire movie, from plot to credits, cast to trivia, and everything in between.

Detailed Summary

Opening: Tragedy Strikes

The movie opens with Deadpool (Wade Wilson) narrating his life post-Deadpool 1, still working as a mercenary. He’s now in a committed relationship with Vanessa (Morena Baccarin), and everything seems perfect. That is, until she’s killed by gangsters seeking revenge on Wade. Devastated, Deadpool attempts to kill himself multiple times—but thanks to his regenerative abilities, he just won’t die.

This kicks off the emotional core of the film: Wade’s struggle with grief, identity, and purpose.

X-Men “Trainee”

Colossus (voiced by Stefan Kapičić) finds Wade in a shattered state and takes him to the X-Mansion, trying to rehabilitate him as an X-Men trainee. Wade reluctantly agrees. His first mission: help subdue a young mutant, Russell Collins / Firefist (Julian Dennison), who is lashing out at the abusive staff of the Essex House for Mutant Rehabilitation.

During the mission, Wade kills one of the abusive staffers, leading both him and Russell to be arrested and sent to a mutant prison called the Ice Box. There, Russell believes Wade is his only friend.

Enter Cable

Time-traveling mutant soldier Cable (Josh Brolin) arrives from the future with one goal: assassinate Russell. In Cable’s timeline, adult Russell becomes a murderous villain who kills Cable’s wife and daughter. To prevent this, Cable targets the young boy.

Wade escapes from the prison to protect Russell, forming his own super-team called X-Force, which includes Domino (Zazie Beetz), a mutant with luck-based powers, and a handful of others who don’t survive the first mission (yes, that includes the infamous skydiving scene).

Finding a Soul

Deadpool learns that Russell is trying to ally with a powerful mutant called Juggernaut. Together, they plan to exact revenge on the Essex House staff. Wade, Cable, and Domino team up in a last-ditch effort to stop Russell from crossing the line into villainy. In the final showdown at the orphanage, Deadpool tries to reason with Russell, wearing a power-suppressing collar to show he’s willing to die to save him.

Russell is moved by Deadpool’s sacrifice and ultimately chooses not to kill the headmaster. This breaks the cycle of violence that would have led to his dark future. Cable, realizing Wade changed the future, uses his last time-travel charge not to return home but to go back a few minutes—this time placing Wade’s token (a memento of Vanessa) in front of his heart, saving him from being fatally shot.

Wade survives, the team walks away victorious, and the future is changed.

Movie Ending

In the final moments, Wade, Cable, and Domino defeat Juggernaut (with the help of Colossus), and Russell doesn’t become a killer. Cable sacrifices his one chance to return to his family in the future to save Wade’s life, subtly acknowledging Wade’s growth and their new bond.

Deadpool’s willingness to die to save a kid’s soul marks the emotional high point of the movie. Though still laced with jokes, sarcasm, and the usual Deadpool mayhem, it’s a surprisingly sincere ending.

The Essex House is shut down, Russell is safe, and Wade embraces his place as a flawed but evolving hero. Cable decides to stay in this new future, hinting at a possible partnership moving forward.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Yes, and they’re some of the best ever.

Mid-credits scenes (technically part of the final montage, but function like post-credits):

• Negasonic Teenage Warhead and Yukio repair Cable’s time-travel device.
• Deadpool uses it to:
  • Save Vanessa from being killed.
  • Save Peter (the only surviving X-Force member).
  • Kill the “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” version of himself.
  • Shoot Ryan Reynolds in the head before he can accept the script for Green Lantern.

These scenes are hilarious, packed with fan service, and they playfully “fix” Fox’s past mistakes with the character.

There are no post-post-credit scenes (after the full scroll), but those mid-credits are more than satisfying.

Type of Movie

Deadpool 2 is a superhero action-comedy with elements of science fiction, satire, and drama. It blends graphic violence, meta-humor, and a surprising amount of heart, making it both a parody and a love letter to the superhero genre.

Cast

• Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson / Deadpool
• Josh Brolin as Cable
• Zazie Beetz as Domino
• Julian Dennison as Russell Collins / Firefist
• Morena Baccarin as Vanessa
• Stefan Kapičić as the voice of Colossus
• Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead
• T.J. Miller as Weasel
• Jack Kesy as Black Tom Cassidy
• Karan Soni as Dopinder
• Bill Skarsgård, Terry Crews, Rob Delaney as X-Force members

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Tyler Bates, known for his work on Guardians of the Galaxy and John Wick. The film also features a wonderfully offbeat soundtrack, including:

• “Ashes” by Céline Dion
• “Take On Me” (MTV Unplugged version)
• “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC
• “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton

Filming Locations

Filming primarily took place in Vancouver, Canada, chosen for its tax benefits and versatile urban scenery. Key action scenes were shot on closed downtown streets. The location allows for large-scale action set pieces and even serves as a bit of a meta joke when Deadpool refers to the “cheap studio” again.

Awards and Nominations

• Nominated for:
  • Best Sound Editing (Golden Reel Awards)
  • Best Stunts (Screen Actors Guild)
  • Best Comedic Performance (MTV Movie Awards)
  • People’s Choice Awards
• Céline Dion’s “Ashes” was heavily promoted but not Oscar-nominated, to the dismay of fans.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• David Leitch, co-director of John Wick, brought a new level of polish to the action sequences.
• Ryan Reynolds was more involved than ever—serving as co-writer and co-producer.
• The film includes several cameos, like:
  • Brad Pitt as Vanisher (seen only when electrocuted).
  • Matt Damon disguised as a redneck with a monologue about wet wipes.
• Most of the X-Force actors filmed only for a day or two.
• Reynolds had intense debates with the studio over the fate of Vanessa. Some fans criticized her death as a classic “fridging” trope.

Inspirations and References

• Based on the Marvel Comics character Deadpool (by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza).
• Cable and Domino are longtime X-Force members in the comics.
• References include Terminator, Logan, Avengers, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and even Frozen.
• The Essex House alludes to Nathaniel Essex (Mr. Sinister)—a major villain who has yet to appear in full.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

• A deleted scene had Deadpool going back in time to kill baby Hitler. It was deemed too dark, even for this film.
• Alternate versions of the prison break and Juggernaut fight were shot but trimmed for pacing.
• Extended team scenes with X-Force were cut, mainly because they died so quickly in the final film.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The movie isn’t based on a specific comic arc but borrows heavily from Cable & Deadpool stories. It differs by:

• Modernizing Russell’s character.
• Creating an original version of X-Force’s origin.
• Giving Deadpool a redemptive arc not found in early comics.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The opening explosion and Wade’s slow-motion attempt to reach Vanessa.
• The parachuting sequence (RIP, X-Force).
• Deadpool’s dramatic death scene… that keeps dragging on.
• The psychic prison cell chat between Cable and Deadpool.
• Final battle at the orphanage.

Iconic Quotes

• “You’re so dark—are you sure you’re not from the DC Universe?”
• “Maximum effort!”
• “Cable, you got a good heart… it belongs to a stripper, but it’s a good heart.”
• “Don’t just stand there with your mouth open like you’re auditioning for ‘The Human Centipede.’”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Green Lantern jab with Ryan Reynolds killing his past self.
• X-Men cameo: The core cast appears briefly and silently shuts the door on Deadpool.
• Deadpool wears Cerebro and Professor X’s wheelchair.
• Wade reads a Wolverine magazine, referencing Hugh Jackman constantly.
• Dopinder’s taxi license shows odd dates and references.

Trivia

• The teddy bear Cable carries represents his daughter and is inspired by the comics.
• Zazie Beetz did many of her own stunts.
• Ryan Reynolds personally lobbied for Celine Dion’s involvement.
• The studio was worried about too many jokes. Spoiler: they lost that fight.

Why Watch?

Because no other superhero film would dare:

• Use a Celine Dion ballad for a slow-mo opening credits sequence.
• Kill off its newly introduced superteam for the sake of a gag.
• Use the F-word as an art form.
• Mix juvenile humor with legitimate emotional storytelling and make it work.

Director’s Other Movies

• John Wick (2014)
• Atomic Blonde (2017)
• Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)
• Bullet Train (2022)
• The Fall Guy (2024)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Kick-Ass (2010)
• The Suicide Squad (2021)
• Logan (2017)
• Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
• Zombieland (2009)
• Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)