Framestore delivers pre-production and VFX on Deadpool and Wolverine

For its latest encounter with the Merc with a Mouth, Academy Award-winning visual effects studio Framestore embarked on a wild ride.

From pre-production services—previz, on-set support, techviz, and postviz—to final VFX wizardry, Framestore brought the first R-rated spectacle in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to life. Overseen by VFX Supervisors Matt Twyford (Loki), Robert Allman, Arek Komorowski, and João Sita, Framestore’s team delivered a diverse array of complex VFX across 420 shots, building upon the stellar groundwork laid by Framestore’s Pre-Production Services (FPS), led by Senior Visualization Supervisor Kaya Jabar. 

The FPS team was the film’s sole pre-production services provider, delivering 900+ shots spanning previz, techviz, and postviz  and serving as a key creative partner. FPS dedicated almost two years to the project, working on key sequences, including the title sequence, the extended third act, and the film’s most outrageous action scenes. 

FPS’s proactive approach in suggesting and implementing creative ideas, coupled with their rapid iteration and technical expertise, ensured the seamless integration of practical stunts and VFX. Their ability to quickly turn around high-quality compositing and animation work in postviz was crucial in meeting tight deadlines and adapting to evolving creative requirements.   

“We had an amazing and very close collaboration with Production VFX Supervisor Swen Gillberg and VFX Producer Lisa Marra,” says Senior Visualization Supervisor Kaya Jabar. “They were really open to our creative input to design elements, appreciating our quick turnaround and deep understanding of the project’s tone and aesthetic. We grasped the balance between humour and the R-rated needs of the film, knowing when it needed to be comic or action-packed.” 

The VFX team contributed to several key sequences, including the brutally funny opening titles and the gripping third act. This involved executing the action-packed Deadpool corp and Oner sequences and orchestrating the climactic destruction of the Time Ripper machine. For the massive third act, the team flawlessly crafted and animated Dogpool’s performance, created dozens of digi-doubles, extended an intricate set inspired by New York, Chicago, and Vancouver into expansive metropolis, and delivered a plethora of Marvel-esque FX, ranging from a hand passing through Paradox’s head to atomizing Cassandra, gallons of blood simulations, plasma energy, and Framestore’s signature ‘spaghettification’ FX.  

“This project was a remarkable global effort, showcasing outstanding collaboration,” says VFX Supervisor Matt Twyford. “The FPS team’s thorough pre-production work significantly enhanced our VFX team’s efficiency. By leveraging our global network and utilizing resources from multiple locations, including Vancouver, London, Melbourne, and Mumbai, we swiftly adapted to evolving creative needs, met tight deadlines, and maintained exceptional quality. We are proud of the work Framestore delivered.”