Deadpool has officially launched its Oscar campaign and it's hilarious
For Your Consideration, indeed
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Deadpool may have made a last-minute bid for the 2016 Academy Awards, but the Merc with a Mouth is back now in full force.
As we slowly crank into gear for awards season, studios have begun the exhaustive process of mailing out screeners to prospective critics, Academy voters, and guild members in hopes of wooing their attention - and it looks like Deadpool is getting in on the action, in the only way Deadpool knows how.
The official For Your Consideration screener for the film was accompanied by a letter written by star Ryan Reynolds; who, by now, has basically fused personalities with the red suited-joker. And, though the letter is characteristically wry and hilarious, it also proves a surprisingly heartfelt memo of thanks to everyone who helped make Deadpool happen.
It's been a long journey for Reynolds, who stuck with the project through 10 years of development hell, as it bounced between studios and consistently failed to land a director. Yet, overcoming its meager $58 million budget, the film became a runaway success with critics and fans alike; amassing over $700 million at the worldwide box office and becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film in history. And that's certainly something worth celebrating.
Here's the letter in full:
"Apologies in advance for the simple letter. I was informed by 20th Century Fox that I'm not allowed to present you with freshly pitted greek olives, locally purchased deli meats and low-grade Canadian elk jerky. I can offer you complimentary backstage passes to my heart, along with my sincerest thanks for supporting our Deadpool film this year."
"As you may know, Deadpool was a labor of intense passion and love for me, spanning the better part of a decade. Actually, it was the worst part of a decade because nobody would make the film. Despite countless roadblocks, the incredible team of Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Tim Miller and I continued onward until somebody at Fox accidentally said 'Yes' thinking we were a Maze Runner spin-off."
"So with limited resources, and a budget which would barely cover the cocaine costs on most studio films, we were given an opportunity to collectively take Deadpool out of the shadows and into the world. Throughout mind-bending setbacks, an anemic budget, and an entire year without sleep, Deadpool emerged from a 5th tier Marvel character to a pop culture phenomenon... and then onward from there, becoming the highest-grossing Rated R film in history."
"I'm so immensely proud of our team from the Location PA's all the way to Emma Watts, Jim Gianopulos, and Stacey Snider. They helped us introduce a true game-changer to the genre. Audience and critics alike were ready to embrace something new, disruptive, and authentic. Thank you for helping this character of Wade W. Wilson/Deadpool reach the farthest corners of the world."
"Thank you for helping me see a decade-long dream explode into living color. Once in a while the long game pays off and reminds me that in this industry, truly, anything can happen."
There's something deeply admirable about Reynolds' passion and commitment to the character, a drive that's remained unwavering in the early stages of work on Deadpool 2; with creative differences about the film's tone sparking between Reynolds and director Tim Miller, resulting in the latter's departure.
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