The big thing to do in movies these days is to build a cinematic universe filled with sequels, spinoffs, and prequels. But as the franchises grow, it can be somewhat difficult to keep track of what happens when. This especially applies to the X-Men movie universe since tampering with the timeline in ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ shook things up in a big way (and arguably for the better). So the big question right now is where exactly does the Merc With A Mouth fit in?

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, ‘Deadpool’ writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick commented on Wade Wilson’s place in the current X-Men timeline. Although, the answer given by Wernick might not exactly be what you’d expect. Then again, isn’t that really what Deadpool is all about anyway?

“What’s nice is Deadpool exists in his own universe. He’s part of the larger X-Men universe, but in a way he isn’t. He interacts with that world but he is in the present. We don’t deal with the ’60s or the ’70s or the future. It’s here and now. More than anything, I think he’s going to have his fun with what they do in the other franchise. But fortunately, we don’t have to play by those same rules. ‘Deadpool’ is a movie that did break all the rules. And I think we’re going to continue to break those rules. That involves knowing that he’s in a movie, talking to the audience, breaking that fourth wall, a characteristic that they established so brilliantly in the comics way back when. So yeah, I do think that timelines are something that we can make fun of and don’t have to be slave to.”

It’s good to hear that the writers aren’t feeling confined by a shared cinematic universe. Sometimes it’s painfully obvious when movies try to squeeze themselves into the bigger picture and that can take the audience out of the movie-going experience. But with ‘Deadpool’ (and presumably ‘Deadpool 2’), the tone of the character allows the creative forces to play with the pre-established conventions of the genre. After all, how else would we get all the awesome Wolverine jokes?

How do you feel about ‘Deadpool’ being more ambiguous in regards to where it falls into the X-Men universe timeline? Do you think that it should be more established as the character grows a franchise of its own? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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