The crossover film Deadpool and Wolverine, which has taken the world by storm, was not without its creative challenges for Ryan Reynolds. While Reynolds, known for his sharp wit and irreverent humor, had a certain amount of freedom when writing the script, there were also boundaries imposed by the powers that be at Disney, which owns both Marvel Studios and a slew of beloved animated classics. Reynolds recently revealed some surprising details about the limitations he faced, including the prohibition of certain characters like Mickey Mouse and Bambi from making an appearance in the script.
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As fans of Reynolds’ Deadpool franchise know, the character is known for pushing boundaries with jokes and references that are often risqué or controversial. But it seems that Disney, despite being the parent company of Marvel, was not entirely on board with some of the more adult-themed jokes, particularly those involving its classic animated characters. One such character was Mickey Mouse, the iconic mascot of Disney, whose mention was outright banned, as well as Bambi, the beloved deer from Disney’s 1942 animated film.
Disney’s Limited Approval for Deadpool and Wolverine
When Ryan Reynolds and his team were scripting Deadpool and Wolverine, the film promised to bring more of the same irreverent humor that fans have come to expect from the Deadpool films. However, Reynolds was forced to walk a fine line between making the movie true to the character and respecting the sensitivities of Disney, the parent company overseeing Marvel’s ventures.
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In a candid interview with Andrew Garfield for Variety’s Actors on Actors, Reynolds opened up about the restrictions he faced during the writing process. While Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige was reportedly very supportive of Reynolds’ ideas, there were certain classic Disney characters that were off-limits.
According to Reynolds, one such joke involved a vulgar reference to Mickey Mouse, which was promptly vetoed by Disney. But the real surprise came when Reynolds pitched an even more outlandish idea involving Bambi, the young deer whose mother’s tragic death became a central emotional point in the 1942 film. Reynolds, ever the provocateur, suggested a storyline that would involve a scene between Deadpool and the hunter who killed Bambi’s mother.
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The Bambi Ban: Why Disney Draws the Line
In Reynolds’ own words, after pitching the idea, Disney’s response was clear: “We don’t touch Bambi, Ryan.” The comment, as Reynolds recalled, was a definite no-go from the powers that be at Disney. While the prohibition was never officially explained, it’s easy to see why Disney would be cautious. The character of Bambi is considered one of the studio’s sacred properties. The animated film itself is iconic, and Disney has long cherished the story as part of its legacy.
Moreover, Disney is currently working on adapting many of its classic animated films into live-action features. It’s possible that, with this in mind, Disney wanted to avoid any potential controversy or parody of a character so deeply associated with its brand. The Bambi character, along with other Disney icons, is part of the studio’s expansive plans to reinvigorate its old classics with a new, live-action interpretation, which could have made any joke involving the character feel out of place.
Reynolds’ pitch to include the hunter who killed Bambi’s mother was the type of bold and dark humor that Deadpool is known for, but it simply didn’t fit with Disney’s careful brand image. In fact, the Deadpool character himself, often sarcastic and crude, remains somewhat of a tricky fit within the family-friendly Disney universe. The studio’s decision to restrict jokes about Bambi speaks to Disney’s desire to keep its most beloved characters protected from potentially inappropriate or crude humor that could tarnish their legacy, especially as they move toward live-action adaptations of these classics.
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Disney’s Ongoing Plans for Bambi and Other Classics
The decision to veto a joke about Bambi comes at a time when Disney is focusing heavily on its growing slate of live-action remakes of animated classics. Over the past few years, Disney has been releasing live-action versions of its animated films, including Cinderella, The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King. Each of these films has been carefully reimagined with modern special effects, but often with a more serious and respectful tone compared to the original animated versions.
Given the current trend in Disney’s live-action remakes, it’s no surprise that the studio is careful about how it handles its most iconic characters. As the company looks to revitalize these stories, the use of these characters in a comedy like Deadpool and Wolverine—which is known for its boundary-pushing humor—could risk undermining the nostalgic value of these characters.
Additionally, it’s important to note that Bambi is reportedly one of the next Disney classics to receive the live-action treatment. With the delicate balance Disney has to strike in maintaining the integrity of its characters while still appealing to modern audiences, it’s understandable why the company would choose to keep its most cherished animated characters off-limits in a film like Deadpool and Wolverine.
The Deadpool Franchise’s Relationship with Disney
Since the acquisition of 20th Century Fox by Disney in 2019, the Deadpool franchise has been under the Disney umbrella, though it still maintains its R-rated edge. The transition has raised questions about how Disney would handle the Deadpool franchise, which is known for its violent content and raunchy humor, very much in contrast to the family-friendly nature of most Disney films.
However, Reynolds and Feige have worked hard to ensure that Deadpool 3 maintains the character’s signature tone, despite the shift in ownership. This includes continuing to embrace Deadpool’s irreverent humor, which has earned it a loyal fan base. Disney, while protective of its brand, has made room for Deadpool’s unique voice within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, setting a precedent for how Disney might handle more adult-oriented content in the future.
While Deadpool and Wolverine brought together the beloved characters of Deadpool and Logan (Wolverine), it also showcased the balancing act Reynolds and his team had to perform in order to deliver the kind of film that fans of the Deadpool franchise expect while respecting Disney’s boundaries. This delicate balancing act between the adult humor of Deadpool and Disney’s family-friendly brand will likely continue to be a topic of conversation as future Deadpool films evolve within the Disney ecosystem.
The Future of Deadpool and Disney’s Growing Influence
The relationship between Deadpool and Disney is still relatively new, and it’s clear that Reynolds is finding ways to continue pushing the boundaries with his character without overstepping the boundaries that Disney has set for its flagship characters. As the Deadpool franchise moves forward under Disney’s watch, fans can expect to see more creative compromises like these—humor that stays true to the character’s roots but is careful to avoid stepping on the toes of Disney’s treasured icons.
As Reynolds continues to navigate this tricky territory, the fate of beloved characters like Bambi may remain out of reach for future Deadpool jokes. However, that won’t stop Reynolds from coming up with even more outrageous references and clever humor. Fans of the Deadpool franchise will undoubtedly continue to enjoy the film’s trademark humor, even as it carefully toes the line between irreverence and respect for the studio’s classic properties.
Conclusion: A Delicate Balance of Creativity and Respect
Ryan Reynolds’ experience with Deadpool and Wolverine is a fascinating example of the tensions that exist between creative freedom and corporate interests. While Reynolds was given a significant amount of creative liberty, there were certain iconic characters—like Mickey Mouse and Bambi—that Disney simply wouldn’t allow to be part of the joke. Despite this, Reynolds managed to create a film that stayed true to Deadpool’s spirit, delivering laughs and surprises while respecting Disney’s boundaries.
As the Deadpool franchise continues to evolve within the Disney framework, it will be interesting to see how Reynolds and his team continue to navigate these limitations. Fans can rest assured, however, that no matter the restrictions, Reynolds will always find a way to keep the humor fresh, bold, and hilarious.
