That's a very good point. So you think that Marvel Studios will create a separate R-rated brand or will Deadpool still use Fox branding?
I think the only official statement we've heard from any official source is Bob Iger when the deal closed:
On a call with investors, Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger said that Disney will continue to make R-rated Deadpool movies and other adult-oriented Marvel adventures after it absorbs much of Fox.
"We will continue in that business," promised Iger, adding, "There's certainly popularity" with those types of films.
Iger hinted that these films won't be released under the traditional Marvel or Disney banner. The company will make it an effort to ensure it is "carefully branding [R-rated films]…so we're not in any way confusing the consumer," Iger said.
It's a weird situation because traditionally an R-rated movie wouldn't be mainstream friendly, an R-rated superhero movie means kids can't watch which means less money... but Deadpool absolutely destroyed the box office and clearly the R-rating didn't hurt it at all. It's clear kids watched and enjoyed those movies. I see Deadpool all over kids t-shirts/toys/whatever superhero merch at Walmart. He's super popular with all ages at this point. Deadpool is kinda in that Call of Duty/Grand Theft Auto company of... it's technically for adults but it's so big kids are gonna get their hands on it.
That said, I think they want mom and dad to be comfortable with little jimmy browsing Disney Plus and watching his superhero movies without having to hear about how the man in the costume looks like Freddy Kruger face fucked a topographical map of Utah. So if I had to guess they might restrict Deadpool to Hulu or whatever service they're putting R-rated movies onto.
If Deadpool is a part of the MCU, and they really want people to access every single MCU film all on one service, I actually wouldn't be surprised if they made PG-13 cuts for any future R-rated Deadpools just to get them onto Disney Plus.
It's a super weird situation and I'd love to hear Feige clarify it all.