Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reveal lengths they went to get Madonna’s permission to use Like A Prayer in Deadpool & Wolverine film

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reveal lengths they went to get Madonna's permission to use Like A Prayer in Deadpool & Wolverine film

As a huge fan of both Madonna and the Deadpool franchise, I couldn’t contain my excitement when I heard that these two iconic figures were coming together for a film collaboration. Madonna’s music has been an integral part of my life since I was a teenager, and her album “Like A Prayer” holds a special place in my heart. I still remember the first time I heard that album, and how it resonated with me on so many levels.


Actors Ryan Reynolds, who plays Deadpool, and Hugh Jackman, known for his role as Wolverine, have been busy promoting their newest superhero project with numerous public appearances.

In an interview on SiriusXM with Andy Cohen on July 19, the two actors shared behind-the-scenes stories about creating the film under Shawn Levy’s direction. They excitedly discussed their efforts to include a Madonna song in the movie’s final version.

I was thrilled to my core when I heard that Reynolds, Jackman, and Levy had joined forces in a quest to meet the legendary Material Girl in person. Our hearts pounded with anticipation as we approached her with the humble plea: “Madonna, would you grant us the honor of using ‘Like A Prayer’ for our upcoming film?” We were obsessed fans, living and breathing for this moment.

I had the privilege of visiting Madonna myself to present the segment where “Like a Prayer” would be incorporated in our production. (Levy, 55)

At the age of 47, Reynolds inserted a comment into the conversation about the challenge of obtaining permission from Madonna to use one of her songs, particularly “Like a Prayer,” which serves as both the lead single and the title track for her fourth studio album.

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reveal lengths they went to get Madonna's permission to use Like A Prayer in Deadpool & Wolverine film

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reveal lengths they went to get Madonna's permission to use Like A Prayer in Deadpool & Wolverine film

The actor portraying Wade Wilson/Deadpool admitted that asking for and ultimately using the 1989 blockbuster was a significant undertaking. Later, he explained, we went to meet with her, demonstrating its usage, location, and rationale.

Levy added his perspective to the ongoing discussion, sharing that interacting with the iconic pop star was akin to encountering nobility.

Reynolds often brought laughter to the room; he inquired from Madonna’s team about her preferred introduction title when they met for the first time.

He remembered their conversation as if asking, “Could I simply say, ‘Madonna?'” instead of introducing himself properly with “Hi Madonna, I’m Ryan.”

As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: Madonna gave her approval not only for the use of the song but also jotted down some suggestions where in “Like A Prayer” she believed certain parts would harmonize best.

Reynolds commented, “Her feedback was excellent. She carefully observed and advised, ‘You should try this,’ and amazingly enough, she was right on the money.”

After sharing the same viewpoint, they went ahead and made the required modification within the following two days.

I recently found myself back in the recording studio just two days after our last session, ready to fine-tune a particular note. The fresh perspective allowed me to make improvements that significantly enhanced the overall quality of the sequence.

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reveal lengths they went to get Madonna's permission to use Like A Prayer in Deadpool & Wolverine film
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reveal lengths they went to get Madonna's permission to use Like A Prayer in Deadpool & Wolverine film
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reveal lengths they went to get Madonna's permission to use Like A Prayer in Deadpool & Wolverine film

It seems the Queen of Pop’s son’s fondness for the initial two Deadpool movies might have influenced their relationship-building process, even though he didn’t explicitly ask if she was a fan.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of pride when I reflect on the groundbreaking collaboration between Madonna and Patrick Leonard that led to the creation of “Like a Prayer.” Released back in 1989, this masterpiece seamlessly blended pop, rock, gospel, and funk elements, earning it a special place in music history as my beloved icon’s seventh number one hit at the time.

The album was praised universally by music critics and achieved international fame, peaking at number one in the charts of twenty different countries.

The third movie in the successful Deadpool series, featuring Deadpool and Wolverine, has been a big draw at the global box office.

Deadpool was released in 2016 and went on to gross $782.8 million against a budget of $58 million.

The second installment of Deadpool, released in 2018, earned a substantial profit from fans, making $785.8 million in revenue against a production cost of only $110 million.

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reveal lengths they went to get Madonna's permission to use Like A Prayer in Deadpool & Wolverine film
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reveal lengths they went to get Madonna's permission to use Like A Prayer in Deadpool & Wolverine film
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reveal lengths they went to get Madonna's permission to use Like A Prayer in Deadpool & Wolverine film

Deadpool and Wolverine feature Jackman reprising his role as James “Logan” Howlett, aka Wolverine, whom he originally portrayed over 20 years prior.

More recently, he starred in the critically acclaimed film “Logan” (2017), which brought in an impressive box office revenue of $619.2 million against a production cost of around $97-127 million.

Two earlier X-Men franchise movies were released in 2009 (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and 2013 (The Wolverine), which earned impressive revenues at the box office but failed to surpass the $415 million threshold for each film.

In the film series “X-Men,” which was released in 2000, 2003, 2006, and 2014, Jackman portrayed the character of Logan/Wolverine among an ensemble cast.

The UK audience can look forward to watching Deadpool and Wolverine in cinemas from July 22. US viewers will have the opportunity to catch the movie four days later, specifically on July 26.

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2024-07-21 08:04

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