Ryan Reynolds, the actor behind the beloved anti-hero Deadpool, recently opened up about the character’s future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While fans want more of Wade Wilson after the box-office success of ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’, it looks like that might not happen anytime soon.
Reynolds made it clear that he has specific ideas about how Deadpool’s story should evolve. Surprisingly, one of his strongest stances is that Deadpool should never fully join a superhero team.
Ryan Reynolds Believes Deadpool’s Outsider Status Is The Key To His Appeal
While talking to The Hollywood Reporter, the Deadpool actor shared his thoughts on the Merc’s place in the Marvel universe and why he believes forcing the character into traditional team dynamics would undermine what makes him special.
Related: Ryan Reynolds Hints At Next Deadpool Appearance, Reveals He Is Pushing For Supporting Roles
While fans may hope for ‘Deadpool 4’, the actor hinted that Deadpool’s future might look very different from what audiences are expecting. For many fans, Deadpool’s dream of joining a superhero team is a running gag. However, to Reynolds, it’s far more than just a comedic trope.
“The character trait I love most about Deadpool is that he’s a fanboy,” Reynolds said. “His enthusiasm and longing to be part of a team is really endearing to me. It’s his overarching wish-fulfillment story.” Despite this, Reynolds believes Deadpool’s ultimate role is as an outsider, always on the fringes of the superhero world.
“I don’t think he should ever be an Avenger or an X-Man,” he said. “If he becomes either, we’re at the end.” Additionally, according to Reynolds, integrating Deadpool fully into a team would rob the character of his signature dynamic. Deadpool’s humor works because it’s born from his feelings of inadequacy and shame.
“His coping mechanism of deflecting shame through humor works only when used to pave over his many inadequacies,” Reynolds explained. Moreover, while this may disappoint fans hoping to see Deadpool join epic MCU crossovers like ‘Avengers: Secret Wars‘ or the eventual X-Men reboot, Reynolds still didn’t rule out the possibility of Deadpool interacting with these teams.
Ryan Reynolds On Deadpool’s Future And Wanting To Team Up With Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine’ Again
For those wondering whether ‘Deadpool 4‘ is on the horizon, Reynolds did share some insight into where things stand. “There are no updates to share just yet,” he admitted. While Marvel Studios is undoubtedly eager to continue capitalizing on Deadpool’s popularity, Reynolds is hesitant to repeat himself.
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“Centering Deadpool works best if you take everything away from him and put his back against the wall. I can’t really do that again. A fourth time feels a little iterative and redundant,” the actor stated. Instead, Reynolds sees Deadpool thriving in an ensemble or supporting roles.
Additionally, reflecting on his recent team-up with Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, Reynolds hinted that future projects might explore similar pairings. “I would always want Deadpool and Wolverine to be paired in some way,” he said. Moreover, this doesn’t mean the character’s journey is over.
According to Reynolds, there’s still room for Deadpool to grow and evolve, even if his story moves away from solo films. “There is still an arc for Deadpool which is fulfilling and powerful,” he said. “But I think he works best appearing alongside other characters.” Previously, the actor shared that he also wouldn’t mind being a side character in the much-awaited Channing Tatum’s solo Gambit film.
