After years away from the movies, and the sale of his former cinematic home, 20th Century Fox, to the Walt Disney Company, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) is back on the big screen. Deadpool & Wolverine has arrived to much excitement and fanfare, bringing both Wade Wilson and Logan (Hugh Jackman) to the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the first time. Unsurprisingly, their first MCU adventure is full of foul language, violence, fourth wall breaks, and drama, in addition to some big surprises.
Deadpool & Wolverine makes no bones about the fact that its a Multiverse story, with the presence of the Time Variance Authority and copious multiversal variants present in the film’s marketing driving this point home. Among the many versions of the Merc with a Mouth teased in promotional material, one stands out as especially sweet and absolutely adorable. Well, depending on who you ask. Yes, we’re here today to shine a deserved spotlight on the one and only Dogpool, as portrayed by Peggy, a pug-Chinese crested mix.
Through the cuteness of Peggy and the anticipation for Deadpool & Wolverine, some might be surprised to know that Dogpool’s journey to Hollywood has been decently long, and that the character’s casting has some fun twists and turns to it. So, in honor of the four-legged mercenary’s big screen debut, here’s a look back on Dogpool’s voyage from print to Hollywood prominence.
Dogpool has existed in the Marvel Comics universe for years
Though the Multiverse has been a present element in Marvel Comics lore for decades, the existence of Dogpool in the multiversal canon is a relatively recent development. Wilson of Earth-103173 debuted in 2010 via Prelude to Deadpool Corps #3, with subsequent comics explaining where he comes from and how he became his world’s Deadpool equivalent. It all started when he was used as an animal test subject for an experimental mascara, Mascara X, which severely disfigured him and granted him a healing factor. Left to wander the streets alone, Wilson is eventually brought into a traveling circus due to his unique new ability.
Eventually, the Deadpool of the main Marvel Comics timeline, Earth-616, scoops up Wilson and brings him along to join the Deadpool Corps.: a team of Deadpool variants from across the Multiverse dedicated to combating cosmic threats. Thus, he becomes Dogpool, accompanying his fellow Deadpools on various missions. Sadly, there’s one that he doesn’t come back from. When the evil Dreadpool forms an evil version of the Deadpool Corps., Dogpool is slain defending the 616 Deadpool from one of the new faction’s villainous variants. Thus, the story of Victor Gischler and Phillip Bond’s canine merc comes to a sad yet heroic end in the pages of 2013’s Deadpool Kills Deadpool #1. Rest in power, Wilson.
The casting of Peggy for Deadpool & Wolverine
In short, Dogpool is a legend. Sure, the character doesn’t get a lot to do during his tenure in Marvel Comics, but what’s not to love about the combination of Deadpool and a dog? Therefore, when bringing the puppy into live-action for Deadpool & Wolverine, the folks at Marvel Studios had quite a casting challenge ahead of them. Perhaps the biggest casting challenge they’d ever faced. Bigger than Spider-Man, bigger than the Fantastic Four. Surprisingly, finding the proper dog to bring such a monumentally important Marvel character to life wasn’t too hard. All it took was Reynolds checking out the results of the Britain’s Ugliest Dog competition.
With her scattered tufts of hair, wonky yet lovable proportions, and dangling tongue, Peggy won the aforementioned competition in 2023, but her unique look won her more than just that. It got her foot in the door to try out the Dogpool role for Deadpool & Wolverine, which she landed with ease. Reynolds announced her casting in November 2023 on X, even later telling Empire, “The reason why I was a huge proponent for her was because she feels like the animal manifestation of Wade Wilson.” Based on looks alone, he couldn’t be more correct. “It was one of those things where you just keep listening to the movie, and Dogpool became a staple,” he said of the evolution of Peggy’s role in the story as the movie came together.
Peggy has proved a hit with fans and co-stars alike
Unorthodox look and all, Peggy and her take on Dogpool have absolutely taken the world by storm. From plushies to Funko Pop! vinyls, she has become a major merchandise mover. Also, in preparation for the release of Deadpool & Wolverine, she received her own Instagram account, @dogpool, which has accumulated an impressive 241,000-plus followers as of publication. Her feed is full of joke posts, behind-the-scenes clips and pics from Deadpool & Wolverine, and, of course, loads of comments from the public expressing their adoration for her and her character. Clearly, there’s no shortage of love out there for Peggy as she joins the Marvel Studios family.
This love isn’t limited to her thousands of adoring fans, either, as Peggy made a great impression on the Deadpool & Wolverine cast and crew throughout the filming process. As seen on his Instagram, at the feature’s London, England premiere, Reynolds introduced her to a sea of onlookers, joking, “She won the ugliest dog in Britain, but we’re not telling her that because she’s a 10 in our hearts, isn’t she? And that tongue, by the way, is real, and I have tasted it. She loves to lick. Loves to get right in there. She is really, truly amazing.”
Another individual with loads of love for Peggy is seasoned animal trainer Jules Tottman, who oversaw her Deadpool & Wolverine training. Though she was initially apprehensive of the entire thing, Tottman recalled that, in time, “She absolutely loved it and grew every day with confidence.” Of course, it helped that there was plenty of spray cheese on hand to convince her to hit her marks. “She would try to lick everyone’s faces, thinking there would be cheese somewhere around,” Tottman added, praising the cast for being so supportive of Peggy along the way (via Best Friends Animal Society).
Marvel fans can see what Peggy gets up to as Dogpool in Deadpool & Wolverine, which is now playing exclusively in theaters.
Published: Jul 27, 2024 09:58 am