Ryan Reynolds has cast doubt on Deadpool joining the Avengers or the X-Men, suggesting that becoming part of either team would indicate the character has reached his "endgame."
Following the massive success of Deadpool & Wolverine and Deadpool’s persistent desire in the film to become an Avenger, many speculated that Marvel Studios would be eager to integrate the 'Merc with a Mouth' into upcoming team-ups with figures like Captain America and Professor X, potentially even having him feature in next year’s Avengers: Doomsday.
Last month's Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal featured numerous veteran X-Men actors. Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden are all confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday, signaling a major X-Men presence in the film. Grammer, known for playing Beast in the Fox X-Men series, previously made his MCU debut in The Marvels' post-credits scene. Stewart, who portrayed Charles Xavier/Professor X in the X-Men movies, briefly appeared in the MCU as a member of the Illuminati in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. McKellen (Magneto), Cumming (Nightcrawler), Romijn (Mystique), and Marsden (Cyclops) have yet to debut in the MCU. This naturally raises the question: could Avengers: Doomsday actually be an Avengers vs. X-Men film in disguise?
However, Reynolds was notably absent from the lengthy roster of stars confirmed for the superhero epic (Channing Tatum, who played Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine, did make the list). New remarks from Reynolds now indicate that a formal promotion for Deadpool to either the Avengers or X-Men is unlikely.
"If Deadpool becomes an Avenger or an X-Man, we've reached the end,” Reynolds told Time. “That’s the ultimate wish fulfillment, and you can't grant him that.”
Reynolds hinted that a surprise cameo appearance as Deadpool in a supporting capacity might be more fitting, citing the positive fan reception to Wesley Snipes' cameo as Blade in Deadpool & Wolverine.
So, if joining the Avengers or X-Men isn’t the right path for Deadpool, what comes next? Reynolds revealed he is currently developing a new project involving an “ensemble” cast, though he remained tight-lipped on the details.
"I'm working on a little something right now—it’s an ensemble piece," Reynolds added. "But I like that Deadpool exists in his own space."
This could point toward another Deadpool movie filled with cameos, similar to Deadpool & Wolverine. Perhaps Snipes' Blade could return, and Channing Tatum seems keen to reprise his role as Gambit. Other characters from the film include Jennifer Garner's Elektra and Dafne Keene's Laura Kinney/X-23.
Deadpool & Wolverine: Easter Eggs, Cameos and References
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So what do we actually know about Avengers: Doomsday? Aside from the confirmed cast, very little is certain. Earlier this month, Anthony Mackie—who will return as Sam Wilson/Captain America—shared his belief that Avengers: Doomsday “will capture that classic Marvel feeling audiences have always loved.”
Mackie is the latest Doomsday cast member to speak publicly about the upcoming Marvel epic, following comments from Ant-Man’s Paul Rudd and Human Torch’s Joseph Quinn. Also this month, an apparent Avengers: Doomsday set photo leak sparked intense speculation within the Marvel fandom, with some interpreting it as bad news for the X-Men.
Fans have already begun theorizing that Oscar Isaac might appear in Avengers as Moon Knight after he withdrew from this month’s Star Wars Celebration “due to changes in his production schedule.”
Marvel Studios producer Kevin Fege confirmed that the Avengers livestream did not unveil the film's complete cast— “We revealed many, but not all,” he stated during a video call at CinemaCon.
