Deadpool 2 Re-Release Gets a Holiday Season Title and Fred Savage

The Deadpool movies are worthy of their R-ratings and intended for mature viewers, but after counting the number of mini-Deadpoolers trolling the streets looking for candy this past Halloween, it’s clear that the popularity of the vulgar Merc with the Mouth is much wider than his target audience. Fox has long wanted to tap the piggy banks of all of those potential customers and franchise guru Ryan Reynolds finally relented, but with two conditions.

Fox has been asking for a PG-13 basically since the start in 2006. I’ve said ‘no’ since 2006. Now, this one time, I said ‘yes’ on two conditions. First, a portion of the proceeds had to go to charity. Second, I wanted to kidnap Fred Savage. The second condition took some explaining…

For every ticket to the new PG-13 cut of Deadpool 2, titled Once Upon a Deadpool, $1 will go to the “Fudge Cancer” campaign (renamed from F-ck Cancer out of solidarity with the PG-13 edit), satisfying Reynolds’ first request. To satisfy his second, and to make up for some of the lost running time from all of the dirty bits being cut out, the studio brought in Savage to shoot an 8-scene framing sequence for the movie that we’re guessing is lifted right out of The Princess Bride.

When asked about his role in the new cut, Savage answered in a manner worthy of the meta-ness that defines the Deadpool movies:

While my participation in this film was anything but voluntary. I am happy to learn that Fudge Cancer will be the beneficiary of this shameless cash grab.

Once Upon a Deadpool was directed by David Leitch (John Wick) from a script by Deadpool writers Reese & Wernick and Reynolds and Drew Goddard. The cast includes Josh Brolin, Zazie Beetz, Morena Baccarin, Stefan Kapacic, Brianna Hildebrand,T.J. Miller, Julian Dennison, Leslie Uggams, Shioli Kutsuna, Karan Soni, Rob Delaney and Jack Kesy.

Once Upon a Deadpool will have a limited theatrical release from December 12th through the 24th.