Deadpool
EST V ACT domestic box office revenue
$273 – 333MM V $363MM
Mythosis universal quests used
3
Audience appeal
9.76 – 11.93%
Script Score
0.34
Deadpool released in 2016 is a brilliant adaptation of Odysseus’ quest. From Odysseus marrying Penelope, to their separation, obstacles in the return journey and finally saving her from the suitors. Deadpool’s plot structure reveals a similar unfolding of Wade and Vanessa’s story.
1. The invisible plot structure of Deadpool
1A. The script of Deadpool borrows 95% of its events from 3 mythological tales
Wade’s quest mirrors the tale of Odysseus from Greek mythology, where both are driven by the desire to be in secure surroundings. Odysseus longs to return home to Penelope and is helped to overcome several obstacles. Wade longs to be with Vanessa and is helped by Colossus.
Ajax’s quest mirrors the tale of Kans from Hindu mythology, where both are driven by the desire to survive a threat. Kans discovers his nemesis Krishn to be alive and tracks him down. Ajax finds out that Wade is alive and tracks him.
Colossus’ quest mirrors the tale of Hanuman from Hindu mythology, where both are driven by the desire for Honour. Hanuman doesn’t trust Ram initially but later becomes loyal. Colossus doesn’t trust a wayward Wade but later helps him defeat Ajax.
NOTE: Detailed mirroring of each character’s primary quest to their respective mythological tales is in section “3A. Quests of characters and their mythological counterparts”
Mythosis plot structure
# 27,763
Tales interweaved
Odysseus, Kans & Hanuman
I. How does interweaving mythological tales lead to infinite story plots?
II. Can the pursuit of a Desire have more than one quest?
2. The potential of Deadpool's plot structure: $273 – 333MM
The interweaving of 32 mythological tales can generate a billion unique stories. By using these 32 tales, we can extract the plot structure of any story across various genres. Our study of blockbuster, hit, and flop plot structures led to the discovery of the Mythosis Code, a set of principles for creating compelling stories. The plot structure of a story is analyzed to see how well it adheres to these storytelling principles.
2A. Plot structure evaluation of Deadpool
- All Blockbusters have at least 3 universal quests. The script uses 2 universal quests of Tranquillity & Preservation. The quest of Honour is sparingly used.
- In Blockbusters, each universal quest is mirrored by ONLY ONE character. Wade mirrors the quest of Tranquillity. Ajax mirrors the quest of Preservation. Colossus mirrors the quest of Honour.
- Every Blockbuster character borrows at least 35% of the universal quest. Wade borrows 68% of the events from Odysseus’ quest. Ajax borrows only 39% of the events from Kans’ quest. Colossus’s character borrows 8% of the events from Hanuman’s quest.
- Blockbusters have a quest interweaving threshold of 0.5. Interweaving occurs when events of 2 quests occur simultaneously in the story. Deadpool’s quest interweaving score of 0.67 is above par.
An example of interweaving the quests of Wade & Ajax:
2B. Box office revenue estimation of Deadpool
Deadpool’s plot structure has 2 extremely powerful quests.
The Script Score measures a plot structure’s adherence to the four principles of Mythosis Code. We use the Script Score to estimate a movie’s audience appeal & revenues. Blockbuster plot structures have a score of at least 0.64 and appeal to 20% of the audiences.
Script Score
0.34
Audience appeal
9.76 – 11.93%
I. How is Mythosis Code used to estimate revenues?
II. Aren’t box-office revenues influenced by several factors beyond just the story plot?
3. The ideal plot structure of Deadpool
We have identified 32 mythological tales, the superset of all tales across cultures. The quests of these tales have also recurred over time periods. They represent human behaviours that are deeply embedded in our shared memories. Each tale is the richest expression of the pursuit of a human desire. The tales have a unique pattern of events spread over 5 major arcs.
Mapping a character’s quest to the relevant mythological tale reveals the gaps in their quest, if any. Plugging these gaps with the missing events deepens the character quest. The missing events also provide an opportunity for interweaving the various quests. These events strengthen the story and unlock its hidden potential.
3A.Quest of characters and their mythological counterparts
Quest 1: Wade mirrors the universal quest for Tranquillity
Wade’s desire for Tranquillity stems from the need to be in secure surroundings. The tale of Odysseus from Greek mythology is the universal quest for Tranquillity.
Quest 2: Ajax mirrors the universal quest for Preservation
Ajax’s desire for Preservation stems from the need to survive a threat. The tale of Kans from Hindu mythology is the universal quest for Preservation.
Quest 3: Colossus mirrors the universal quest for Honour
Colossus’ desire for Honour stems from the need to be loyal to a clan or order. The tale of Hanuman from Hindu mythology is the universal quest for Honour.
3B.Gaps in the current plot structure
The plot structure of Deadpool is a 2-quest story unlike Blockbusters that are 3-quest stories. Deadpool draws its strength from two powerful quests of Wade and Ajax.
3C.Unlocking the hidden potential
The plot of Deadpool is a subset of Mythosis plot structure # 27,763. It emerges from interweaving the tales of Odysseus, Kans & Hanuman.
Contact us for Mythosis plot structure # 27,763.
Tags: Odysseus, Tranquillity, Hanuman, Honour, Valmiki, Accumulation, Kans, Preservation, 2016, Tim Miller, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Marvel Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, 20th Century Fox