After the huge success of Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), fans naturally expected Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman to be mainstays in the MCU going forward. After all, the film earned $1.3 billion globally. But as the Marvel Cinematic Universe gears up for Avengers: Doomsday in 2026, it seems the duo may not be joining the epic ensemble anytime soon.
Doomsday is shaping up to be one of Marvel’s most ambitious projects since 2019's box office juggernaut Endgame, thanks to the Russo brothers returning to the director’s chair and Robert Downey Jr. taking on the role of Doctor Doom. The announced cast is already staggering. It includes Chris Hemsworth, Paul Rudd, Sebastian Stan, Tom Hiddleston, Florence Pugh, Letitia Wright, and Pedro Pascal, to name just a few returning megastars.
The movie also includes X-Men icons like Patrick Stewart’s Professor X, Ian McKellen’s Magneto, and Rebecca Romijn’s Mystique, plus Channing Tatum reprising his role as Gambit from Deadpool and Wolverine.
But with so many returning faces, there might be limited room for the Merc with a Mouth and everyone's favorite X-Men mutant.
Deadpool’s absence has fueled speculation. Ryan Reynolds’ name was missing from official announcements, and there have been no updates since. Though there are conflicting reports about his involvement, Reynolds himself previously hinted at stepping back from the role, suggesting a pause might be in order before any new movie.
That said, Marvel has confirmed that Deadpool will continue in other media, most notably with “Deadpool VR”, where Neil Patrick Harris voices the character in a chaotic, fourth-wall-breaking game across the Marvel universe.
Related: New Information Comes To Light Over Avengers Squad in Upcoming ‘Doomsday' : Disney Fanatic
Wolverine’s situation is similar. While Insomniac’s upcoming “Wolverine” game for PlayStation 5 is in development, Hugh Jackman will not reprise the role, and details about the storyline remain limited. Despite the painfully slow rollout, the project is reportedly still active, though fans may have to wait longer to see the character return in any form.
Currently, there are no plans for a fourth Deadpool film, and Wolverine’s MCU debut remains unconfirmed. Avengers: Doomsday will wrap up the “Multiverse Saga” and launch the “Mutant Saga,” leaving the door open for future appearances—but whether Reynolds or Jackman will step back into the MCU remains unknown.
Meanwhile, Marvel’s schedule includes upcoming titles like Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), Avengers: Secret Wars (2027), Black Panther 3, Blade, and other untitled sequels. For now, fans will have to satisfy themselves with Deadpool and Wolverine in gaming adventures rather than on the big screen.
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