Deadpool & Wolverine: Did It Un-F*ck the MCU?

The plot was built backwards. Start with the cameos you want, the fight choreography, the fan service moments — then invent a plot to connect them. "Anchor being" exists because someone needed to justify why Wade visits a dozen alternate Wolverines, not because it's a meaningful addition to the MCU. With guests Matt Baughman and Steve Custer, we break down exactly how Deadpool & Wolverine operates on three layers that don't always serve each other: the actor layer (Reynolds and Jackman having fun — the happy ending is for them personally), the Deadpool franchise layer (Wade's identity crisis), and the MCU layer (which gets almost nothing). Every major cameo gets evaluated — Channing Tatum's Gambit earned more goodwill in 15 minutes than his canceled solo film ever would have, while Chris Evans's Johnny Storm was played entirely for laughs at the character's expense. Does it save the MCU? Temporarily, through interest, not through story. First 30 minutes are spoiler-free.