Disney is once again under fire, this time over the content of its theme park shows featuring Deadpool, known for his irreverent and raunchy humor. The controversy centers on several jokes made by the character at Disney California Adventure and Disneyland Paris, with many fans, particularly parents, raising concerns about the appropriateness of Deadpool's explicit quips in a family-friendly setting.
In the latest iteration of the "Story Time With Deadpool" segment, the Merc with a Mouth made jokes referencing the gay dating app Grindr and even implied that Wolverine was the "bottom" in their relationship. These jokes, while in line with Deadpool's character, have triggered a wave of complaints. Many guests argue that such humor is far too explicit for Disney parks, which are traditionally associated with family entertainment.
Disney’s woke turn is clearly hurting their business and even they know it. Here’s why they continue to embrace wokeness. pic.twitter.com/C00zO0PjLp
— Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) November 29, 2023
The raunchy humor isn’t just limited to the parks. The recently released Deadpool & Wolverine film, which marks Deadpool's official entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has also sparked controversy for its heavy use of gay jokes. LGBTQ+ audiences, in particular, have criticized the film for leaning on "gay panic" humor, which they claim is both outdated and offensive. Critics pointed out that while Deadpool is canonically pansexual, the film resorts to frat-boy jokes that make queerness the punchline rather than embracing the character’s identity meaningfully.
These complaints echo broader criticisms directed at Disney. Once known for maintaining strict control over its family-friendly image, Disney has, in recent years, ventured into more mature content, following its acquisition of 20th Century Fox. The company’s inclusion of Deadpool—a character infamous for his crude, R-rated antics—marks a significant departure from its traditional values, and not all fans are on board.
💥 Official video: Deadpool takes over Main Street and Avengers Campus at Disneyland Paris.
He will make his Disney Parks worldwide debut in just a moment! pic.twitter.com/SnLIgoDA5d— DLP Report (@DLPReport) July 24, 2024
Backlash online has been swift. Several users took to social media to voice their dissatisfaction, with some accusing Disney of attempting to capitalize on Deadpool’s popularity without considering the broader implications. One user tweeted, “I love the character, but Deadpool’s humor doesn’t belong in a Disney park,” while another lamented that the company had lost its way in trying to cater to adult audiences.
Despite the backlash, Disney remains committed to incorporating Deadpool into its offerings. The company has defended its choice, noting that it’s important to appeal to a broad audience, including adults.
Yet, with the increasing controversy surrounding both the Deadpool & Wolverine movie and its theme park tie-ins, it seems Disney’s balancing act between maintaining family-friendly content and embracing more mature, diverse storytelling is growing more difficult to manage.
The financial success of Deadpool & Wolverine, which has already grossed over $590 million globally, suggests that many fans still enjoy the film's irreverence. However, the tension between Disney’s evolving brand and its family-friendly reputation is unlikely to fade anytime soon. As the company continues to integrate characters like Deadpool into its mainstream offerings, the challenge of keeping both its traditional audience and newer, more mature fans satisfied will likely remain a point of contention.
