With a worldwide gross of $1.338 billion, Deadpool & Wolverine has cemented itself as a cinematic juggernaut, claiming the spot of the second-highest-grossing film of the year, just behind Disney’s other megahit, Inside Out 2 (2024). While the roaring success of this third installment in the Deadpool franchise has undoubtedly paved the way for potential future projects, it seems the Merc with a Mouth’s reign as the centerpiece of his own saga may be coming to a close.
The Deadpool franchise, comprising Deadpool (2016) and Deadpool 2 (2018), redefined the superhero genre with its razor-sharp humor, gleeful embrace of R-rated mayhem, and irreverent storytelling. Under the direction of Tim Miller and the witty writing duo Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, the original Deadpool brought Ryan Reynolds’ snarky and fourth-wall-breaking Wade Wilson to life, immediately making him a pop culture phenomenon.
Supported by a stellar cast, including Morena Baccarin as Vanessa, Ed Skrein as Ajax, and Brianna Hildebrand as the Negasonic Teenage Warhead (alongside Stefan Kapičić’s voicework for Colossus), the film shattered expectations with a staggering global haul of $782.6 million—the highest ever for an R-rated film at the time.
Deadpool 2 (2018), directed by David Leitch, continued the franchise’s winning streak. Reynolds returned with an even sharper edge, joined by Josh Brolin’s time-traveling Cable and Zazie Beetz’s Domino. This sequel surpassed its predecessor, pulling in $785.8 million worldwide and solidifying its place as a box office powerhouse. More than just box office triumphs, these films proved that superhero stories could thrive beyond the constraints of family-friendly formulas, opening the door for Deadpool’s eventual integration into Kevin Feige’s Marvel Cinematic Universe.
After months of speculation and anticipation rivaling that of Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), Deadpool & Wolverine finally hit theaters in July, marking Marvel Studios’ sole film release for the year. The stakes couldn’t have been higher for this record-breaking blockbuster, which brought Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman together for their official MCU debut.
Director Shawn Levy’s vision crafted a “two-hander” character epic rather than a traditional “Deadpool 3,” positioning the film as a multiversal celebration of Marvel’s past and present. With cameos ranging from Jennifer Garner’s Elektra to Wesley Snipes’ Blade and even Channing Tatum’s Gambit, Deadpool & Wolverine served as a heartfelt homage to 20th Century Fox’s superhero legacy while also becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, surpassing both Oppenheimer (2023) and Joker (2019).
Despite this overwhelming success, Ryan Reynolds has hinted that his days as Deadpool’s leading man may be numbered. During an intimate conversation with Andrew Garfield on Variety’s Actors on Actors series, Reynolds opened up about the challenges of carrying a Deadpool film. “I don’t know. Honestly, my feeling is that the character works very well in two ways. One is scarcity and surprise,” he shared. “So it had been six years since the last one, and part of the reason is that it swallows my whole life. I have four kids, and I don’t ever want to be an absentee [father.]”
Reynolds spoke candidly about the emotional toll of balancing his family life with the grueling demands of blockbuster filmmaking. “I [die] inside when I have to let my kids down by not attending sports events or other things,” he confessed. For Reynolds, Deadpool & Wolverine was designed as “a complete experience instead of a commercial for another one,” signaling a potential departure from headlining future installments.
While Reynolds’ statement doesn’t entirely rule out Deadpool’s return, it suggests a shift toward the character’s role as a supporting figure. “Deadpool’s a supporting character much more than he is the center,” Reynolds elaborated. “We center him sometimes because that’s what they want, but you can’t center him unless you take everything away from him. You have to create a situation where he’s so much the underdog. I don’t think I can do that again.”
However, Reynolds playfully added that he’d “happily be a fifth banana in [a Channing Tatum Gambit] movie or anyone else’s.” Fans are already speculating about Deadpool’s potential involvement in the MCU’s upcoming massive ensemble films, Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027).
Though nothing has been officially confirmed, these projects promise to bring together Anthony Mackie’s Captain America, the Fantastic Four, and even Robert Downey Jr.’s Victor Von Doom/Doctor Doom, while Chris Evans’ return raises questions about whether he’ll reprise Steve Rogers or his earlier role as Johnny Storm.
For now, Reynolds’ comments hint at a thoughtful pivot in Deadpool’s journey. With his knack for surprise and scarcity as a storytelling weapon, it’s likely that Deadpool will pop up in unexpected ways, continuing to inject irreverence and heart into the MCU without anchoring an entire film. As fans debate what’s next for Wade Wilson, one thing is certain: the Deadpool franchise has left an indelible mark on superhero cinema and will continue to surprise us in ways only the Merc with a Mouth can.
How do you feel about Deadpool stepping back from the spotlight? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
