Deadpool 2 is being re-released as the PG-13 Once Upon A Deadpool just in time for Christmas, according to an exclusive Deadline report.
Once Upon A Deadpool will be released in selected American theatres on December 12th, and show for 12 days, ending its run on Christmas Eve, in an effort to attract younger viewers during their Christmas break.
The majority of the movie consists of Deadpool 2 footage that has been edited to be more kid-friendly, but a framing sequence that matches the storybook theme has been added.
The framing sequence stars Ryan Reynolds and Fred Savage, star of The Wonder Years, re-creating the iconic framing sequence from 1987’s The Princess Bride, in which Savage starred as a sick child being read to in bed by his grandfather, Peter Falk.
Ryan Reynolds told Deadline:
“Fox has been asking for a PG-13 basically since the start in 2006. I’ve said no since 2006. Now, this one time, I said ‘Yes’ on two conditions. First, a portion of the proceeds had to go to charity. Second, I wanted to kidnap Fred Savage. The second condition took some explaining…”
As you wish.
Meanwhile, when reached for comment by Deadline, Fred Savage said:
“While my participation in this film was anything but voluntary. I am happy to learn that Fudge Cancer will be the beneficiary of this shameless cash grab.”
Once Upon A Deadpool will be three minutes shorter than Deadpool 2, and details regarding international releases of the reworked film are not yet known.
If this re-release gets a new generation of kids into the brilliant Princess Bride, then I am all for it.