Summary
Via the multiversal story ofDeadpool & Wolverine, a hero who featured in one of Marvel’s biggest box office flops will return to the MCU in 2024. The thirdDeadpoolfilm is the onlyMarvel movie releasing in 2024that is attached to the MCU. This marks a big departure from the franchise, as Marvel Studios has released at least two MCU movies every single year since 2013.
Deadpool & Wolverine’s storychanges this, marking not only a change for the Marvel Studios model but also a game-changing installment in the sprawlingMCU chronological timeline. The film will tie heavily into the concept of the Marvel multiverse, with Wolverine’s involvement alone proof of this. Through the exploration of alternate timelines, different universes, and the endless Marvel heroes that come with them,Deadpool & Wolverinewill introduce the titular character of Marvel’s fourth-biggest box office bomb: Elektra.
What Happened To Jennifer Garner’s Elektra? 10 Things To Remember Before She Joins The MCU
Here’s everything you need to remember about Elektra in Daredevil (2003) and Elektra (2005) now that Jennifer Garner is joining the MCU in Deadpool 3.
Jennifer Garner’s Elektra Is the 4th Lowest Grossing Marvel Movie Ever
The 2005 Elektra Movie Is One Of Marvel’s Biggest Box Office Flops
Jennifer Garner first appeared as Elektra in 2003’sDaredevil. Bringing to life the character of Elektra Natchios, Garner had strong enough chemistry withDaredevilstar Ben Affleck to warrant her own, standalone spin-off.Elektrawas then released two years later in 2005, though the promise of a solo movie quickly turned to disappointment.
Elektrawas critically panned, garnering an 11% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This negative reception extended to the film’s box office, withElektramaking history as one of the biggest box office disappointments in Marvel’s cinematic history. Even as of 2024,Elektraranks as the fourth-lowest-grossing movie at the worldwide box office for Marvel, only surpassing some of the other lesser efforts by the studio.
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How Jennifer Garner’s Deadpool & Wolverine Return Can Redeem Elektra
Garner’s Elektra Receives A Second Chance In The MCU
Despite the overwhelmingly poor critical and commercial reception ofElektra, it was revealed thatJennifer Garner will return inDeadpool 3. This announcement came in 2023, with some major trades confirming that Garner would reprise her role. This reality gives Garner a chance at redemption after appearing in an infamous Marvel movie, with an MCU appearance in theDeadpoolfranchise serving as the perfect vehicle for this.
By appearing in what will likely be a $1 billion hit, Garner will have more than made up for headlining a box office flop likeElektra.
Deadpool & Wolverineis expected to be a major success for Marvel Studios, already fixing the glaring issue withElektra. By appearing in what will likely be a $1 billion hit, Garner will have more than made up for headlining a box office flop likeElektra. Similarly, theDeadpoolfranchise is renowned for its meta, self-referential humor. Aside from appearing in a much better, much more successful movie likeDeadpool & Wolverine, the nature of the franchise’s style can allow Garner to poke fun at her prior appearances as Elektra, redeeming her in the best way almost 20 years later.
Elektra’s Role In Deadpool & Wolverine Explained
Deadpool & Wolverine Has Hinted At How Elektra Will Return
With Jennifer Garner getting another chance as Elektra inDeadpool & Wolverine, many will be wondering how exactly she is part of the movie. As it turns out, the answer is fairly simple. SinceLokiin 2021, the MCU has opened up to the multiverse. Multiversal stories likeSpider-Man: No Way HomeandDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesshave allowed for this, withDeadpool & Wolverineexpected to delve into the concept of variants, alternate timelines, and multiversal heroes to an even greater extent.
Thetrailers forDeadpool & Wolverinehave made this clear, primarily through the inclusion of elements fromLoki, namely the Time Variance Authority and The Void. The former is a multiversal police force, explaining how characters like Deadpool, Wolverine, and, of course, Elektra are now involved in the MCU, while the latter is a sandbox at the End of Time where all pruned elements turn up. Concerning Elektra specifically, it is likely that the character has been pruned by the TVA in the past, meaning she will be present in The Void.
This is the most likely way Elektra will return inDeadpool & Wolverine. This is supported by other characters from Marvel’s past being shown in the trailers forDeadpool & Wolverinein The Void. These characters include Pyro, Lady Deathstrike, and Azazel from20th Century Fox’sX-Mentimeline, all of whom appear in the MCU as pruned characters. With these types of Marvel superheroes being present in The Void, Elektra will likely be the same, potentially aiding the titular duo in their fight against Cassandra Nova.
Who Is Deadpool & Wolverine’s Villain? Cassandra Nova Origin, Powers & Huge X-Men Link Explained
Deadpool & Wolverine’s new mutant villain was confirmed by the first full trailer, and she has a major family tie to the X-Men.
What To Remember About Jennifer Garner’s Elektra Before Deadpool & Wolverine
Elektra’s Story Has Been Told Across Two Movies Before Deadpool & Wolverine
Another question many may have before Elektra’s appearance inDeadpool & Wolverineis what her story included before the MCU. As alluded to, Elektra first appeared in 2003’sDaredevilbefore receiving her own solo spin-off with 2005’sElektra. In the former, Elektra is a side character who falls in love with Matt Murdock, unbeknownst to the fact that he is the vigilante Daredevil. Elektra’s father is the daughter of Nikolas Natchios, a man trusted by crime boss Kingpin, Daredevil’s nemesis.
In the 2005 film, Stick - a blind martial artist - attempts to train Elektra in the ways of Kimagure…
After Nikolas tries to leave Fisk’s service, the latter hires a killer named Bullseye to kill the former. Bullseye does so, framing Daredevil for the murder, thus causing Elektra to seek revenge against him. Elektra unmasks Daredevil and is shocked to learn Matt is his alter ego, before being tragically killed by Bullseye in an ensuing conflict. However, Elektra is secretly revived by Stick, setting up the story ofElektra.
Stick is portrayed by Terence Stamp in Elektra, a DC alum who also played General Zod in Superman and Superman II.
In the 2005 film, Stick - a blind martial artist - attempts to train Elektra in the ways of Kimagure, the ability of precognition that can also resurrect the dead. After becoming a killer-for-hire and being hired to assassinate a father and daughter duo named Mark and Abby, Elektra refuses and comes into conflict with The Hand, a group of elite ninjas. Elektra, with the aid of Stick, protects Abby and Mark from The Hand’s assassins, one of whom killed Elektra’s mother when she was a child.
After defeating The Hand and resurrecting Abby having mastered Kimagure, Elektra tells the young girl to leave a normal life and parts ways with her and Mark. Elektra then bids Stick farewell, where the film ends. Elektra has not been seen on film or TV since then, that is until the events ofDeadpool & Wolverine. Whether the events ofDaredevilandElektrawill have an impact onDeadpool & Wolverineremains to be seen, but it is likely, given Garner’s almost 20-year absence playing the character.
Deadpool & Wolverine
Cast
A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
