The comic book world is no stranger to controversy and the latest storm centers on character portrayal and dance sequences in superhero films like Deadpool. A fiery debate has erupted on social media contrasting the reception of Deadpool’s dance in Deadpool & Wolverine with She-Hulk’s dance scene in her own series.
Fans are polarized with some criticizing She-Hulk's scenes as "cringe" and unworthy, while others praise Deadpool's similar antics showing a perceived double standard in fan reactions. The discussion goes beyond mere preferences and touches on deeper issues of gender representation and the expectations set for characters within the Marvel Comic Universe.
Critics argue that Deadpool's dance fits his irreverent and boundary-pushing style aligning well with the franchise's tone.
In contrast, She-Hulk’s dance has been described as awkward and misplaced by the fans, suggesting it does not contribute meaningfully to the plot or character development.
People on social media have pointed out that it is a discrepancy in reception that has sparked accusations of misogyny and sexism as some fans question why similar behaviors are celebrated in male characters but derided when depicted by female ones.
"Because one is cringe and one isn't. One is part of a franchise that has respect and the other might be on the worst show in the history of television. It's not hard," one X user said.
"Wasn’t the worst and it was review bombed facts are facts misogyny is the reason hands down," another user mentioned.
"One (She Hulk) is a dumb tacked on joke with zero substance and sh**ty music in an unfunny show. The other (Deadpool) is a hilarious relevant joke with deep cuts that serves up good music and nostalgia with great action and camerawork, setting up the awesome wild ride of a film audiences are in for with style," one fan on X shared.
On the other hand, few netizens expressed that they liked She-Hulk and the shared that the criticism that the show received came from a deep-rooted misogny.
"The incel comic book nerds can’t handle a strong, attractive woman in their MCU adaptations," one fan wrote on X.
"I can't be the only one who wants a SHE-HULK SEASON 2 RIGHT?!" wrote someone who loved She-Hulk.
The debate also reflects broader discussions about the evolving sequence styles in superhero media where traditional action sequences are increasingly intermingled with lighter more humorous moments.
She-Hulk vs. Deadpool stirs Marvel controversy on Twitter
As the discussion moves forward the core of the argument seems to focus on what fans expect from their heroes and how these expectations are managed by filmmakers. Deadpool's dance sequence interspersed with action has been hailed for its comedic relief and integration into the larger plot and is seen as a trademark of the character’s appeal.
Conversely, She-Hulk's standalone dance moment has been critiqued for lacking context and depth which some argue undermines her character's seriousness and agency. The backlash and support from different fan segments illuminate a fracture in the community where interpretations of what makes a superhero film successful vary widely.
Some view these dance scenes as a refreshing break from intense plots while others see them as unnecessary diversions. It has led to heated exchanges on social media platforms with each side defending their view on the appropriate balance between humor and heroism in comic book adaptations.
Cancellation of She-Hulk season 2
Marvel’s decision to cancel She-Hulk: Attorney at Law season 2 points to broader issues within its budgeting strategy for the Disney+ series. Tatiana Maslany the star of the show revealed the series overspent its already hefty budget leading Disney to pull the plug. Originally She-Hulk carried a massive financial commitment of $225 million for just nine episodes primarily due to the high costs of CGI to render the titular character.
The cancellation reflects a problematic pattern in Marvel’s approach to series budgets, for comparison Secret Invasion had an even higher budget of 1.6 million yet the allocation of these funds was less evident in the final product. In contrast, as per Forbes, Moon Knight maintained a more modest $24.5 million per episode suggesting a discrepancy in how Marvel values and invests in its series.
The financial missteps with She-Hulk involved not just an excessive budget but also mismanagement in production leading to poor CGI quality blamed on rushed schedules and unrefined scripts.
Marvel may need to reassess its strategy potentially shifting focus to more cost-effective "street-level” series like Echo and Daredevil: Born Again which boast lower budgets— million for five episodes of Echo. The pivot could balance the scales allowing for better resource allocation and potentially higher-quality outputs without the daunting price tags.
Deadpool & Wolverine becomes a box office hit
Amidst the debate, Deadpool & Wolverine has soared at the box office grossing over 0 million worldwide and becoming the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2024. Directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman the film has humor, action, and a touch of nostalgia continuing the successful formula of its predecessors maintaining the R-rated essence of Deadpool while integrating him into the broader MCU plot.
The movie continues to shatter box office records earning $19.3 million on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, alone setting a new high for R-rated films according to ComScore. The movie outperformed the previous record holder Joker which made $9.6 million on a single day in 2019.
With a domestic total of $261 million so far the film is on track to surpass The Passion of the Christ with an anticipated weekend total of $380 million becoming the highest-grossing R-rated movie ever. Internationally the tickets sale stands around $284 million, contributing to a global total of around $545.8 million.