Deadpool 2’s PG-13 Christmas Cut Is Now Almost Impossible to Watch

Deadpool 2’s PG-13 Christmas Cut Is Now Almost Impossible to Watch

As a movie enthusiast with over three decades of viewing experiences under my belt, I must say that Once Upon a Deadpool is a quirky and entertaining spin-off of the already zany Deadpool 2. The addition of Fred Savage as a nod to the classic film The Princess Bride adds a delightful layer of nostalgia that I found quite endearing.

The family-friendly version of “Deadpool 2,” titled “Once Upon a Deadpool,” can now only be viewed on Blu-ray. Originally released in theaters back in May 2018, the unrated version of “Deadpool 2” continued the chaotic and violent storyline started in the first film. Led by Ryan Reynolds, the movie was praised for its crude humor and action sequences, earning positive reviews and grossing $734.5 million at the global box office during its initial run. Although it didn’t surpass the earnings of its 2016 predecessor ($782.8 million), it demonstrated that the character Deadpool is still very popular.

Instead of merely reveling in the triumph of Deadpool 2, 20th Century Fox opted to serve a twin portion of the movie. When Alita: Battle Angel was postponed from December 2018 to February 2019, it left a gap on the studio’s schedule during the bustling holiday season. To fill this vacancy, they replaced Alita with Once Upon a Deadpool, a modified PG-13 version of the hit film. On paper, it appears to be an ideal addition for a Marvel fan’s holiday movie lineup, but there’s one hitch: Once Upon a Deadpool is not accessible for streaming anywhere (it can’t even be bought on digital stores). The only alternative available is to acquire a Blu-ray disc.

What’s Different in Once Upon a Deadpool?

The primary modification in “Once Upon a Deadpool” is the introduction of a framing narrative where Deadpool narrates the storyline of “Deadpool 2” to Fred Savage, which is a playful reference to “The Princess Bride,” where young Savage was part of a tale read by his grandfather. In the revised version, Savage appears in several scenes and interacts humorously with Ryan Reynolds. These interactions serve as a means for Deadpool to offer his usual self-referential comments about the plot of “Deadpool 2,” notably addressing the controversy over Vanessa’s character being “fridged.

Absolutely, being a PG-13 film, Once Upon a Deadpool has to significantly tone down many aspects of the original film’s content. For instance, the action scenes, initially created with an R rating in mind, have been adjusted to eliminate excessive violence and gore. Moreover, much of the mature language from Deadpool 2 is censored due to the Motion Picture Association’s strict guidelines on the use of profanity in PG-13 movies. Whether or not Once Upon a Deadpool successfully reimagines Deadpool 2 for a broader audience, including families, is subjective. While it manages to be humorous at times, the movie as a whole (naturally) feels disjointed due to these changes.

Once Upon a Deadpool Boosted Deadpool 2’s Box Office

The movie “Deadpool 2” was a massive success at the box office, but studios always strive for more revenue. Unfortunately, during its original release, Fox failed to capitalize on the profitable Chinese film market because “Deadpool 2” was barred from screening in China due to its R-rated content. To bypass this restriction, they released a PG-13 version called “Once Upon a Deadpool.” This modified version premiered in China in January 2019 and earned $42.4 million, which was almost the entirety of the film’s international revenue of $45.2 million. The release of “Once Upon a Deadpool” might have paved the way for the franchise to establish a strong presence in China, as “Deadpool & Wolverine” were screened there with only minor edits.

It’s no shock that “Once Upon a Deadpool” earned most of its revenue in China, as it was a novelty for their audience. Despite the presence of Fred Savage, there wasn’t enough appeal to encourage another cinema visit in other countries (considering the R-rated “Deadpool 2” was readily available on home media at that time). In its domestic opening weekend, “Once Upon a Deadpool” debuted in 12th place with $2.6 million. However, the re-release significantly boosted “Deadpool 2″‘s total gross, pushing it past $785 million worldwide, surpassing the earnings of the original “Deadpool”.

Where to Buy Once Upon a Deadpool on Blu-ray

If you’re a fan, I’ve got some exciting news! The “Once Upon a Deadpool” Blu-ray is still being printed and can be easily purchased online from retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target. Prefer the unrated version of Wade Wilson? Look no further than Disney+, where all three Deadpool movies are currently streaming. Enjoy the ride!

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2024-12-01 18:39