Ryan Reynolds’ triumphant return as the irreverent Wade Wilson in *Deadpool & Wolverine* sent shockwaves through the box office, shattering records and solidifying the film’s place as a cinematic phenomenon. The film’s stunning $1.3 billion worldwide gross, a new high for an R-rated movie, solidified its status as a massive success. However, despite this overwhelming achievement, Reynolds has revealed a surprising perspective on the future of the beloved anti-hero.
In a candid conversation with Andrew Garfield for Variety’s *Actors on Actors*, Reynolds dropped a bombshell: he believes *Deadpool 3* might very well be the character’s final standalone adventure. While expressing immense gratitude for the character and the opportunity, he revealed a shift in his vision for Deadpool’s role within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
“I see Deadpool as a supporting character much more than he is a main character or at the center,” Reynolds explained to Garfield. “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. And I don’t think I can do that again. If he comes back, I think he’s going to be in someone else’s movie. Channing Tatum is so excited to play Gambit, I would happily be the fifth banana in his movie or anybody else’s.”
This statement is particularly intriguing considering the massive success of *Deadpool & Wolverine*, which saw Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine team up in a multiversal adventure to save Wade’s universe. The film’s success has undoubtedly sparked interest in future Deadpool projects within Marvel Studios. Despite this, Reynolds remains uncertain about his future as the Merc with a Mouth. He praised *Deadpool & Wolverine* for being a complete, self-contained story, emphasizing a conscious decision to avoid setting up another sequel.
“I have four kids, and I don’t ever want to be on a first-name basis with any of them. I don’t ever want to be absentee and miss stuff. I, like, kind of die inside when I see their face and they have a competition, or a sports thing, or something, and I missed it,” Reynolds explained, highlighting the importance of balancing his demanding career with his family life. “So I don’t know what the future of Deadpool will be, but Shawn [Levy] and I made the movie to have a beginning, a middle, and an end, and be a complete experience instead of a commercial for another one. I think it’s important, sometimes, to make space for a movie to just be a movie.”
While *Deadpool 4* hasn’t been officially greenlit as of December 2024, the unprecedented success of *Deadpool & Wolverine*, now streaming on Disney+, leaves the door open for future appearances. However, Reynolds’ comments suggest a potential shift towards a more supporting role for Deadpool within the larger MCU tapestry, a move that would allow the character to maintain his unique charm while contributing to other heroes’ narratives. This leaves fans eagerly anticipating what the future holds for the Merc with a Mouth and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead in the ever-evolving world of Marvel.
