Of Course Marvel Is Gearing Up an Awards Campaign for Deadpool & Wolverine

It may sound like a joke Deadpool would shoot off in the middle of an action sequence but this is absolutely true. Deadpool & Wolverine is going for some of that Oscar gold. And Golden Globes. And whatever else it can scrounge up that’s bright and shiny.

Variety reports that Marvel Studios is getting ready to launch an awards campaign for its massive R-rated hit, with a particular eye on the comedy categories at the Golden Globes. That’s because the original Deadpool got two Globes nominations in those categories, one for Best Picture (Musical or Comedy) and one for Ryan Reynolds as Best Actor. Whether or not this film can duplicate that, we’ll see. But, to hopefully spread the love around, the studio has decided to push Hugh Jackman in the supporting actor category, which would avoid any potential split votes with Reynolds.

Now, it’s important to note that by the mere fact Deadpool & Wolverine was released in theaters, it and everyone involved with it was automatically eligible for all of these awards: be that Critics’ Choice, Screen Actors Guild, Writers Guild, Academy Awards, etc. But eligibility is one thing. Madame Web is, technically, eligible too. A focused campaign to get the film in front of voters and get them thinking about specific people or aspects is what actually gets the job done. That’s why every year basically the same 5-10 films are always nominated for every award, because those are the films that campaign best, and then everyone watches them and they pick up momentum.

Not that Deadpool & Wolverine really needs any momentum. The film has grossed $1.3 billion and counting, making it the highest-grossing R-rated film ever. That alone will all but guarantee a nomination, and probably a win, for the new “Cinematic and Box Office Achievement” category at the Golden Globes. It’s also the type of big-budget, big-effects film that’s sure to snag at least a few technical achievements across awards season. But for anyone above the line (actor, writer, director, etc.) to get a nomination would be a feat.

Also, lots of big movies do this. Movies that everyone knows probably won’t get nominated often do an awards campaign just for the heck of it. Just to throw the idea out there. See if it sticks. Usually, it feels less than realistic and more of a thank you to everyone for the movie, as well as one last taste of the spotlight before the film fades into the past.

So while, yes, the idea of Marvel and Disney actually spending more money on Deadpool & Wolverine to get a few awards nominations seems kind of silly, it’s the only way to try and make it happen. Will it actually happen though? In terms of the Golden Globes, it seems like a fairly good bet simply because of that group’s policy of splitting “Comedy” and “Drama.” But could Hugh Jackman actually get a supporting actor nomination from the Academy? Stranger things have happened.

Deadpool & Wolverine is still in theaters; it’s coming to digital download October 1 and 4K/Blu-ray October 22.

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