Though the Deadpool movies are known for their somewhat risqué humor, it probably wouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that Deadpool 2 co-writer Rhett Reese felt they were taking a slight gamble when they chose to include a joke about Mel Gibson’s controversial biblical drama The Passion of the Christ in Wade Wilson’s latest film. But while this wouldn’t be the first time that a religious gag has landed a scribe in hot water, the real reason Reese considered the joke to be a risk was less a matter of offensiveness and more of box office rankings.

To give a little context, Gibson’s 2004 film currently occupies the top spot on the list of highest-grossing R-rated pics in the Us. But while the Son of God has yet to be dethroned in this category, the Merc with a Mouth wasn’t far off, with 2016’s...