Deadpool & Wolverine’s war of the popcorn buckets continues. In May, Ryan Reynolds revealed the official popcorn bucket of the Marvel Cinematic Universe movie inspired by Dune: Part Two’s viral popcorn bucket. This waged a war against other cinemas, as Regal Cinemas and Cinemark Theaters released their own versions of the threequel’s popcorn bucket. Now, Dune director Denis Villeneuve acknowledges the war Reynolds begins and says they’re “tremendously jealous” of their popcorn bucket.
In an interview with eTalk CTV, Villeneuve was asked if he was aware of the war of the popcorn buckets Reynolds had waged. The filmmaker admitted to seeing Deadpool & Wolverine’s “intentionally crude and lewd” bucket but appeared unbothered, confident that Dune’s bucket remained unmatchable. He even claimed that Reynolds and co. were trying their best to bring “something horrific” into the world.
“They are tremendously jealous of our bucket, and they are doing their best to try to bring something horrific to the world,” he said. “But the Dune bucket is unmatchable.”
Despite the shade, Villeneuve stressed that his statement didn't necessarily mean that he didn’t like the MCU film’s bucket. However, their popcorn bucket was unbeatable for him, and he even called it one of a kind.
“It was difficult to beat the Dune bucket,” he continued.
Dune: Part Two’s popcorn bucket went viral for its wild and peculiar design, shaped like the film’s sandworms. It became an instant social media meme and was parodied on Saturday Night Live during a sketch.
Deadpool & Wolverine’s War of the Popcorn Buckets
Reynolds started the war of the popcorn buckets when he officially launched the Deadpool & Wolverine bucket in May. True to Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige’s description of the bucket at CinemaCon during Disney’s presentation, it was “crude and lewd,” with its wide-open mouth design, complete with a tongue, inspired by Wolverine’s head. With its explicit look, it perfectly fits the movie’s R rating.
From there, other cinemas joined the concessions stand war and unveiled their own popcorn buckets. Regal Cinemas released its own version of the bucket, but this one looked more wholesome, modeled after a mysterious character. Its first-ever combination drink and popcorn collectible container features a white chair design with an opening at the back, where the popcorn will be placed.
But before it fully shows its design, a TVA warning hints that its style will reveal a major Multiverse spoiler. In the caption, the company says it will make Reynolds wait to see their bucket and asks their followers to tweet at the actor before they reveal the full video. Almost a month has passed, but they’re yet to give a full look at their popcorn bucket.
Cinemark also revealed its own Deadpool & Wolverine popcorn bucket. Just like the threequel’s official bucket, this one is inspired by Wolverine. But instead of Logan’s mouth, it was positioned upright, putting the opening on the top of the character’s head, though they didn’t show what its face looked like.
There’s no denying that Dune’s popcorn bucket generated quite a stir online with its NSFW design. As this seems to have started the popcorn bucket craze, it still reigns supreme, though Deadpool & Wolverine’s bucket is onto another level of explicit.
Deadpool & Wolverine is set to hit theaters on July 26, 2024.
