The next R-rated MCU film could be a fan favourite to follow Deadpool and Wolverine

We’re oh so close to finally seeing Deadpool and Wolverine and if you’re a fan of the comics you’ve got a lot to see when the film premieres. We’ve already seen a lot from the trailers including a return of fan-favourite Sabertooth who will duke it out with Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, all while Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool cheers from the sidelines.

It marks a huge step forward for Marvel and Disney in terms of production. Not only is this a fully adult MCU outing bursting with violence and swears, but it’s a test of the audience waters to see if fans will still show up. Of course, that seems like a given - it’s Deadpool, after all, and the first two films were successful enough that Reynolds can put on the suit again.

However, a large portion of the MCU audience is also kids and families who will be barred from seeing this new film. It’s unlikely to dampen the profits that much and we’re pretty sure that Deadpool and Wolverine will rake in hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office on opening weekend. So, if Disney and Marvel then go on to deem this a success, what should they adapt next and market to adults only?

Blade - Marvel Comics

The obvious choice would be Blade, which is already rumoured to be rated R on release. Vampires aren’t all that scary when trotted out for a PG audience (thanks Twilight) and given the levels of blood and gore we would expect, and once seen in the Wesley Snipes trilogy, it would make sense to keep it rated R. Levels of excitement for that project must be kept in check though as it has so far had a very tumultuous journey through pre-production. Of course, the star is still signed on in Mahershala Ali, but the crew has gone through many changes.

So, what other Marvel properties could step into those shoes and attract a more adult audience? And would those heroes be suitable to crossover with the more PG-rated outings of The Avengers when the time comes? Ryan Reynolds sure has a potty mouth, but Deadpool can easily step over to being more family-friendly if push came to shove and the fourth wall breaks would stay consistent. Seeing as Deadpool quite often crosses over with Spider-Man in the comics, it shows that he is flexible.

It seems there are two obvious answers to this question.

Daredevil -Marvel Comics

The first option is Daredevil. Much like his contemporary, Batman, Daredevil can easily bridge the gap between R-rated chaos and PG hijinks. His rogue’s gallery is brimming with great villains to play opposite him, particularly if Marvel lean into the idea of focusing on The Hand and their Japanese influences.

The comics have always walked a fine line between gritty and more approachable stories and art. We’ve seen the hero fall in love, near death, and face off against Wilson Fisk all a variety of ways. He’s been seen bloodied and battered, losing friends to suicide, and risking everything in courtroom battles. But he can also be seen as a bright, colourful superhero who bounds through New York with wisecracking charm. Plus, Matt Murdock already has legions of fans who would show up to the cinema for a darker turn.

The Punisher - Marvel Comics

Secondly, we have a friend of Mr Murdock. One Frank Castle, AKA The Punisher. While Castle’s antics may not instantly say ‘crossover potential’ his brand of justice would easily be welcomed in the ranks of The Avengers as the writers could simply remove the blood and wartorn battle damage, but in his own film he would be a walking tank of destruction, wreaking hell on New York.

It also works as we have the tremendous Jon Bernthal in the antihero’s shoes. Whether you look back at The Punisher’s past or forward at his vigilante acts of heroism, there’s a story to be told and it would be dripping with blood, punctuated by explosions.

But, how about we throw in a third option? A curveball. Someone who has long deserved a solo film and already has a place in the grand scheme of the MCU. Of course, we’re talking about The Incredible Hulk.

The Incredible Hulk - Marvel Comics

Now, I’m sure Mark Ruffalo would be happy to lean into a more angry, violent version of The Hulk and there are hundreds of great stories already out there to be adapted. However, focusing on his time away from Earth, perhaps during the arc of Planet Hulk from the comic books, would give fans some real meat to chew on.

Elements of this story were already featured in Thor: Ragnarok after Hulk was sent away from Earth. But we never really got into what happened while he was there. Now, while the comic books weren’t particularly ‘adult’ parts of the story, of Hulk fighting through leagues of aliens in gladiatorial combat, could certainly be written with a mature audience in mind and show what The Hulk is truly capable of. After all, the Hulk we’ve seen Ruffalo play in The Avengers was a more neutered version of the hero.

This film could splice quite nicely with the follow-on story from the comics, World War Hulk, which saw Hulk return to Earth with an army in tow and wage war on all the wrongdoings of the planet and its governments. This would set up a central role for The Hulk and reverse the idea of cameos, putting The Avengers in the side roles rather than Banner himself.

It’s clear that audiences are pining for more adult stories told through the superhero lens. After all, it’s why Deadpool was so popular in the first place and why films like Logan, which took a previously family-friendly superhero and put them in a darker story, worked so well. But familiarity would be needed and these heroes are familiar to audiences through past appearances. There’s no use dropping another Eternals-style introduction to a new hero or team when Superhero fatigue is still a very real thing. However, giving us heroes and antiheroes we already know, but with a new look and purpose, could be just the ticket.