2024 Comic-Con Interviews: “Deadpool & Wolverine” Music Composer Rob Simonsen

The BUZZ had the chance to cover San Diego Comic-Con, and it was a jam-packed year! From activations to star-studded panels, it was one that was a can’t miss. During the course of the 5 days, which include preview night, we conducted several interviews with talent showcasing our nerd-dom but also love for this environment.

We kick things off in our extensive coverage with an interview with Rob Simonsen. He was the music composer for the mega box office hit, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which starred Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. During our time at SDCC, I was able to see the film at a special panel screening in Hall H, and it did NOT disappoint. The music, the cameos…it was incredible!

Here is the conversation with Simonsen, as we discussed the title track of the movie and dove into how the rights were acquired for Madonna’s single, “Like a Prayer:”

Na’Vell J. Lee: I DO have to ask about the, “Let’s Fucking Go,” theme of this movie, considering that I am a Philadelphia Eagles fan and I heard it there first!

Rob Simonsen: Ah!

NJL: How did “LFG” become the trademark for D&W at this point?

RS: I think it was because of something they (Reynolds and Jackman) said to each other. These 40-50 year old men were saying it all the time on set. There was a lot of texting, saying, “Let’s fucking go!” So, when it came time to name the title track, it seemed like there was only one option.

NJL: You had no other choice but!

RS: Actually, we were pretty bold in breaking some fourth wall stuff with the track titles in the way that Deadpool does, and Disney said, at first, “No, no, no. We can’t do this.” Then, they came back, and said, “Actually, yes, we’re gonna do that.” Hats off to Disney Marketing and Disney Records for going with the zany track titles that we put in there.

NJL: I’m still blown away with the soundtrack itself and the fact they were able to ask Madonna to use, “Like a Prayer,” in the movie.

RS: Yep. That was a real… I hope that Shawn (Levy) and Ryan tell the tale of dealing with the highness.

NJL: That’s exactly how one should describe her!

RS: (laughs) It was real touch and go for a moment. I mean, I have done all of this work, and you guys will notice when you get a chance to see the film. There was a minute where she was going to push back on it, and it would have been some massive re-imagining for the film. However, Shawn and Ryan went to her apartment and had them wait for 2 hours. She then proceeded to toy with them, asking them story questions as, “Why is Deadpool doing this?” They both had to appease her, and in the end, she had a note, which was a really great one. We adjusted it based on her note, and then she sat behind me at the premiere a few nights ago. The note was about the choir, and it was totally right on. In my defense, it was MY own note that I had early on, and it was vetoed. Then, she came on, and…

NJL: Notice how that shifted! It was my idea first, but we are giving props to Madonna because…well, she’s Madonna!

RS: It’s all good. I mean, they listened to Madonna. They didn’t listen to me.

Our thanks to Rob Simonsen for the discussion surrounding, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which you can see in theaters now.

Stay tuned as we will have more Comic-Con coverage on the way!

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