Shawn Levy, director of Deadpool and Wolverine, clarifies that although the film features Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, the Marvel movie is not to be called Deadpool 3.

The filmmaker explained in a recent interview why the movie, which also stars Hugh Jackman reprising his role of Wolverine, is not Deadpool 3 despite being the third Deadpool movie.

“As far as crafting the Deadpool and Wolverine story, I just felt privileged every day because you’re talking about two massive movie stars in their most iconic roles,” Levy told Screen Rant during CinemaCon. “It also gave me an opportunity. It’s the third Deadpool movie, but it’s not Deadpool 3. It’s a different thing that’s very much Deadpool and Wolverine. And it’s not trying to copycat anything from the first two movies. They were awesome, but this is a two-hander character adventure.”

Levy teased that the film is “going to be gnarly” and “it’s gonna be funny,” and ultimately “wanted to build a great time at the theater for audiences” as their main goal. The director, writer and producer said that early screenings of the film “were extremely, extremely promising.”

“I wouldn’t say that there were any big surprises, but you feel where the pace wants to tighten, you feel where you can afford to slow down and have a deeper, more durable character moment,” he added.

Deadpool & Wolverine is set to arrive in theaters on July 26, 2024. Levy is the director of film with Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Zeb Wells, Reynolds and Levy credited as co-writers.