MARVEL MARATHON DEEP DIVE
DEADPOOL
AND KORG REACT
Deadpool and Korg React is a four-minute YouTube short that Ryan Reynolds posted on 13 July 2021, with Deadpool and Taika Waititi’s Korg reacting to the Free Guy trailer.
A TRAILER REACTION WITH A POINT
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE VIDEO
The short is a promotional film from Maximum Effort, written and directed by Reynolds, in which Deadpool invites Korg to react to the Free Guy trailer after making a similar video for Cruella. The two then discuss whether Deadpool could join the MCU, and Korg tells him to watch for an email from Marvel Studios. It parodies clickbait YouTube reactors, down to Deadpool asking viewers to “smash that subscribe button.”
POSTED TO REYNOLDS’ OWN CHANNEL
HOW IT WAS RELEASED
The short was posted on 13 July 2021 on Reynolds’ YouTube channel and reportedly passed four million views within 24 hours. It promoted Free Guy, due in cinemas on 13 August, and followed Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox, which brought Deadpool and the X-Men film rights under Marvel Studios.
TWO RETURNING ROLES
WHO IS IN IT
Ryan Reynolds plays Wade Wilson, or Deadpool, reprising his role from the X-Men films, and Taika Waititi plays Korg, reprising his role from Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Endgame.
OFFICIAL OR NOT
HOW IT WAS RECEIVED
Critics responded positively, with Empire praising the dialogue and the characters’ chemistry and Syfy Wire calling the pairing “incredibly cool.” Outlets split on what it meant. TheWrap called it Deadpool’s “official crossover into Disney’s Marvel universe,” while several other outlets doubted it was an official integration of the character.
THE REWATCH
WHERE IT SITS IN THE CATALOGUE
In the Marvel Marathon it is catalogued as an MCU special and sits in the MCU release order guide between Black Widow and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. It is not in the other guides. Aggregator scores are left out because it is a short online video, not a film or series.
QUICK ANSWERS
DEADPOOL AND KORG REACT WATCH QUESTIONS
Do I need to watch Free Guy first?
No. The short reacts to the Free Guy trailer, not the film, and works without having seen either.
Where was Deadpool and Korg React released?
It was posted to Ryan Reynolds’ YouTube channel on 13 July 2021.
Does this count as Deadpool joining the MCU?
Outlets disagreed. TheWrap called it his official crossover, while several others doubted it was an official integration of the character.
Which Marvel Marathon guides include Deadpool and Korg React?
It appears in the MCU release order guide, between Black Widow and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. It is not in the other guides.
EDITORIAL NOTES
SOURCES AND UPDATES
Release and reception details are checked against a reference article and entertainment reporting, cited individually below.