Fans have been eagerly anticipating the return of Ryan Reynolds’ Merc with a Mouth since the release of ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’, which was one of Marvel’s biggest hits in recent years.
Believe it or not, the first real indication of what Deadpool might do next may not have been from an Avengers movie announcement or a live-action sequel, but from ‘X-Men ‘97’.
‘X-Men ’97’ Finally Opens The Door For Deadpool
The animated series’ new season 2 trailer briefly showcases Deadpool, or at least something very close to him. While it’s technically Morph transforming into Deadpool rather than Wade Wilson himself, it’s still a big deal. Actually, it might be more of a reflection of what Marvel is currently doing than what anyone thinks.
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One of the lesser-known facts about the ‘X-Men ‘97 season 1 was that the creative team apparently didn’t get to use Deadpool to the fullest extent. While the show was full of many mutants from Marvel’s past, the beloved antihero was notably missing.
This is definitely not the case anymore. The season 2 trailer briefly shows Morph taking Deadpool’s appearance during an action sequence, immediately sparking excitement online. It’s a small Easter egg, but it’s a big deal for longtime fans of ‘X-Men: The Animated Series’.
Interestingly, the original animated series also had “Deadpool” as a character, albeit as a Morph impersonating him to poke fun at Wolverine. Now history is repeating itself decades later.
While the real Wade Wilson may not have officially entered the fray yet, it’s clear that Marvel is now comfortable with using Deadpool imagery in ‘X-Men ’97‘, and that’s just a sign that the character is becoming more a part of Marvel’s animated future.
Deadpool’s MCU Return Is Inevitable
Realistically, Morph’s transformation is likely not to be a big story. Deadpool will not be a key figure in season 2, that’s for sure. The cameo does, however, gently remind viewers that Marvel still has a lot of value in the character, after ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ brought the franchise back to life.
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With Marvel Studios having had a rocky few projects lately, Deadpool is one of the few characters that can get people excited. That’s why it’s hard to believe that Marvel will sit on the bench for long.
Whether he appears next in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, another solo movie, or eventually becomes part of ‘X-Men ’97‘ in a larger role, it feels less like a question of “if” and more a question of “when.”
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