Ryan Reynolds has cast doubt on the possibility of Deadpool joining either the Avengers or the X-Men, stating that such a move would signify the character reaching "the end." This statement comes in the wake of the tremendous success of "Deadpool & Wolverine," where Deadpool's desire to join the Avengers was a central theme. Speculation had been rife that Marvel Studios might want to integrate the 'Merc with a Mouth' into their next big ensemble film, "Avengers: Doomsday."
The cast announcement for "Avengers: Doomsday" last month heavily featured veteran X-Men actors, including Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden. This lineup confirms a significant X-Men presence in the film. Grammer, who played Beast in the Fox X-Men franchise, made his MCU debut in "The Marvels' post-credits scene." Stewart portrayed Charles Xavier/Professor X in the X-Men films and appeared briefly in the MCU's "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" as part of the Illuminati. Meanwhile, McKellen, Cumming, Romijn, and Marsden, who played Magneto, Nightcrawler, Mystique, and Cyclops respectively, have yet to make their MCU debuts. This raises the question: could "Avengers: Doomsday" be setting up an Avengers vs. X-Men storyline?
Despite the speculation, Reynolds' name was notably absent from the list of confirmed stars for "Avengers: Doomsday," although Channing Tatum, who portrayed Gambit in "Deadpool & Wolverine," did make the cut. Reynolds recently shared his thoughts on Deadpool's potential role in the MCU, telling Time, "If Deadpool becomes an Avenger or an X-Man, we're at the end. That's wish fulfillment, and you can't give him that." However, he hinted at the possibility of a surprise cameo in a supporting role, citing the positive reception to Wesley Snipes' cameo as Blade in "Deadpool & Wolverine."
So, if joining the Avengers or X-Men isn't in Deadpool's future, what's next for the character? Reynolds revealed he's currently working on a new project that involves an "ensemble," though he remained tight-lipped about the details. This could suggest another Deadpool film with a focus on cameos, similar to "Deadpool & Wolverine." Potential candidates for such a film might include Snipes' Blade, Tatum's Gambit, Jennifer Garner's Elektra, and Dafne Keen's Laura Kinney/X-23.
Deadpool & Wolverine: Easter Eggs, Cameos, and References
View 38 Images
As for "Avengers: Doomsday," details remain sparse beyond the cast list. Anthony Mackie, who will reprise his role as Sam Wilson/Captain America, recently expressed his belief that the film will "give the audience that old Marvel feeling that they always had." Other cast members, including Paul Rudd (Ant-Man) and Joseph Quinn (Human Torch), have also shared their excitement about the upcoming Marvel epic. Additionally, a supposed set photo leak from "Avengers: Doomsday" has sparked speculation among fans, with some suggesting it could mean trouble for the X-Men.
There's also buzz that Oscar Isaac might appear as Moon Knight in "Avengers: Doomsday," fueled by his recent withdrawal from Star Wars Celebration due to scheduling changes. Marvel Studios producer Kevin Feige has confirmed that the Avengers livestream did not reveal the entire cast of "Doomsday," stating, "We revealed many, not all," during a video call at CinemaCon.
