Disney Bets on Deadpool, Wolverine, Dirty Jokes to Save Marvel

Not that long ago, superhero movies could be counted on to fill theaters’ seats and studios’ coffers. But in recent years, a deluge of often-indistinguishable caped-crusader films overtaxed audiences, turning the once-reliable money-spinners into financially risky bets.

Hollywood hopes this week’s opening of Deadpool & Wolverine changes that narrative. The R-rated, F-bomb-laden comic book adaptation is expected to have the best domestic opening weekend of any movie so far this year, with industry tracker Boxoffice Pro forecasting $180 million to $200 million in ticket sales in the US and Canada. That would be welcome news for Walt Disney Co.’s ...