Deadpool is a 2016 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, distributed by 20th Century Fox. It is the eighth installment of the X-Men film series. The film was directed by Tim Miller from a screenplay by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, and stars Ryan Reynolds in the title role alongside Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T. J. Miller, Gina Carano, Leslie Uggams, Brianna Hildebrand, and Stefan Kapičić. In Deadpool, Wade Wilson hunts the man who gave him mutant abilities, but also a scarred physical appearance, as the wisecracking, fourth wall-breaking antihero Deadpool. After spending 10 years in development hell, Deadpool received a greenlight from Fox with a much smaller budget than is usually given to a big superhero film, $58 million. This gave the production team—including Miller in his directorial debut—the leeway they needed to create a comic-accurate film, after Reynolds' less-faithful portrayal of the character in X-Men Origins: Wolverine was not well received. Focus was placed on reproducing the tone, humor, and violence of the comics. Deadpool was released in the United States on February 12, 2016, and became a critical and financial success, breaking numerous box office records around the world. An extensive marketing campaign was carried out before the film's release, with Reynolds working closely with the Fox marketing team to take advantage of the internet and social media due to the film's much lower budget than other superhero films. Focus was put on the lead character and his signature humor and violence rather than solely the film, with Reynolds appearing in character as Deadpool for several different promotions. Approach The marketing budget for Deadpool was smaller than usual, like the production budget, so Reynolds worked closely with Fox domestic marketing chief Marc Weinstock to use the internet to their advantage and come up with cheaper, "Deadpool-based" ways to market the film. Weinstock noted that it was unusual for an actor in a film to do this. Reynolds kept one of the Deadpool costumes for himself, and appeared in it throughout the marketing campaign. Visual effects vendor Image Engine animated Deadpool's mask for these appearances, using a similar process to that used by Weta Digital for the film. Promotion Trailers In July, director Miller and several cast members attended the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con to present a trailer for the film, which received a standing ovation from attendees who requested that