How Deadpool Is In The MCU Explained

Summary

Deadpool & Wolverine marks Deadpool’s official entry into the MCU, thanks to Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox.
Ryan Reynolds reprises his role as Deadpool in the MCU due to his successful portrayal that fans have come to love.
The multiverse adventure of Deadpool & Wolverine creatively integrates Deadpool into the MCU timeline, addressing his Fox past.

Deadpool finally joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Deadpool & Wolverine, but how? The highly anticipated team-up sees two beloved Marvel characters reunite for a multiverse adventure. During this, Deadpool officially debuts in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, moving from 20th Century Fox’s franchise into Marvel’s mighty universe. With Deadpool’s famed fourth-wall-breaking style, Deadpool & Wolverine actively addresses this process in the narrative, all while it bids farewell to Fox’s Marvel movies and the X-Men movie timeline.

Deadpool & Wolverine reunites Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. The pair previously met and fought in 20th Century Fox’s widely derided X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Since then, Reynolds has actively petitioned to reprise the role more effectively, leading to the two triumphant Deadpool movies—also set in Fox’s X-Men movie timeline. However, Deadpool & Wolverine is set firmly in the MCU timeline and is a confirmed entry in the MCU’s Phase 5.

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Deadpool Is Joining The MCU Thanks To Disney’s Acquisition Of 21st Century Fox

Deadpool’s entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a direct result of Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox. This monumental merger was finalized in March 2019 and brought several key Marvel properties, previously held by Fox, back under the Marvel Studios banner. Fox previously owned the cinematic rights to the X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Daredevil. As a result, only Fox could make films featuring these characters.

Marvel Studios was not permitted to use any associated characters in the MCU, and the movies featuring them were not considered MCU canon. Deadpool was included within the X-Men movies’ roster of characters, as he is often associated with Marvel’s mutant heroes, despite never officially joining the X-Men team in Marvel Comics. Nevertheless, Fox retained the cinematic rights to Deadpool.

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Following the merger, Disney (and, therefore, Marvel) reclaimed the rights and gained back control over numerous characters. In many instances, this meant a complete overhaul of narratives, rebooting each franchise within the MCU continuity. One movie, however, continues a narrative established in Fox’s X-Men universe – Deadpool & Wolverine.

Deadpool & Wolverine serves as both the third Deadpool movie and the first entrant in the MCU. This represents a significant milestone for both Marvel audiences and the franchise. Deadpool garnered a massive fandom for the R-rated escapades and raunchy humor depicted in the first two Deadpool movies. The MCU, however, is generally known for its family-friendly tone. Integrating such a character into the MCU presents both an exciting opportunity and a creative challenge.

Disney and Marvel Studios have assured fans that Deadpool will retain his signature style, including the mature humor that defined his previous outings. This decision underscores Marvel’s commitment to honoring the character’s unique identity while exploring how he fits into the broader MCU narrative. Ryan Reynolds, who has been instrumental in the success of the Deadpool franchise, has teased fans with hints and updates about Deadpool’s MCU debut, including accepting an Emmy while dressed as Deadpool and releasing a highly suggestive Wolverine popcorn bucket.

Why Ryan Reynolds Wasn’t Recast As Deadpool In The MCU

Ryan Reynolds As Deadpool In Costume Sticking His Head Up Past A Fallen Log In The Snow In Deadpool and Wolverine

Ryan Reynolds was instrumental in shaping Deadpool’s unique identity in the superhero genre.

Ryan Reynolds has embodied Deadpool so perfectly that Marvel decided not to recast the role for the MCU. Since 2016’s Deadpool, Reynolds has brought a unique blend of humor, charm, and irreverence that proved wildly popular with audiences. His performance has been a major factor in the movie’s critical and commercial success, making it hard to envision another actor in the role.

In fact, Deadpool‘s success can largely be attributed to Reynolds’ passion and involvement in the franchise’s development. Reynolds actively campaigned for Deadpool‘s creation, ensuring that the character stayed true to his comic book roots. This included script input and marketing stunts, which have helped shape Deadpool’s unique identity in the superhero genre.

Disney and Marvel Studios recognized the value Reynolds brings to the character and the resultant success that the franchise enjoys. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige noted that Disney’s CEO echoed these words in an interview with Variety, in which he stated:

“When we were purchased, Bob [Iger] said to us, ‘if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. There’s no question that Deadpool is working, so why would we change it?”

By retaining Reynolds, Disney ensures continuity and maintains the momentum and excitement surrounding the character – and can exploit all of this while integrating the character into the MCU. Feige expressed his enthusiasm for working with Reynolds, and his tactic for integrating Deadpool into the MCU respects the character’s established tone and humor, which are intrinsic to Reynolds’ portrayal.

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What Universe Deadpool & Wolverine Takes Place In Explained

Close Up On Ryan Reynolds As Deadpool Laying Down On Dry Ground Covered By Shadow of Wolverine And His Claws In Deadpool and Wolverine

Deadpool & Wolverine is a multiverse adventure that shifts the beloved anti-hero from Fox’s X-Men timeline into the MCU. This is depicted through the multiverse concept that previously demonstrated a way to bring non-cannon Marvel performances into the universe by presenting them as variants from an alternate dimension in the multiverse – as seen in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness and Spider-Man: No Way Home. Deadpool & Wolverine takes this further by leveraging the concept of the Time Variance Authority (TVA), a critical element introduced in the Disney+ series Loki.

The TVA is an organization that maintains Marvel’s timelines and operates outside of them. This facilitates Deadpool’s movement across different universes. In Deadpool & Wolverine, Deadpool starts his journey in Fox’s X-Men universe, where he was last depicted in Deadpool 2. Deadpool subsequently encounters the TVA and is transported to their dimension to address complications in the timeline – presumably caused by his time travel at the end of Deadpool 2. This narrative device provides an elegant solution to integrate Deadpool into the broader Marvel narrative.

Speculation suggests that Deadpool will traverse various points in the MCU’s timeline, offering fans a unique perspective on iconic events and characters. This journey is anticipated to be both humorous and meta, staying true to Deadpool’s distinctive style. Deadpool & Wolverine is also expected to serve as a poignant swan song for the Fox X-Men universe. The Deadpool & Wolverine trailer’s imagery of a crumbling 20th Century Fox sign in Loki‘s the Void hints at this.

Rumors abound regarding cameos from Fox’s other comic book movies, suggesting Deadpool & Wolverine will also be a nostalgic farewell to the entire era of Marvel movies. It is also expected for Deadpool & Wolverine to feature numerous MCU characters, either through archive footage or cameos. These would help ground Deadpool in the franchise and test his R-rated persona against the current Marvel pantheon, facilitating Deadpool‘s long awaited move to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.