What's next for Deadpool and Wolverine in the MCU?
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman are the comedy duo of dreams for superhero fans in Deadpool and Wolverine, and with the box office numbers continuing to grow at an exponential rate it won't take long for Marvel to consider what to do next with the characters.
The threequel sees Reynolds' Wade Wilson team up with Jackman's Wolverine when his timeline loses his anchor being —aka the Wolverine who died in 2017's Logan— and it begins to slowly cease to exist. With the TVA's Mr Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen) keen to speed up the process of destroying Deadpool's universe it's up to him and Wolverine to stop them, and they meet a few familiar faces from the heyday of 20th Century Fox as they do so.
With the two iconic superheroes firmly in their element in the Marvel Cinematic Universe now it seems only right to explore what is next for the characters.
Warning: This articles contain some spoilers for Deadpool and Wolverine.
What's next for Deadpool and Wolverine in the MCU?
The new Marvel movie leaves the door open for Reynolds and Jackman to return as Deadpool and Wolverine in future films. The story ends with the pair remaining friends after saving the Merc with the Mouth's timeline from being obliterated by Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin), not only that but they also are joined by Dafne Keen's Laura, aka X-23.
Read more: MCU
Emma Corrin felt 'pressure' following in Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy’s footsteps
Deadpool and Wolverine hailed as MCU at its 'best' after star-studded premiere
With the characters safely back in the MCU it stands to reason that they could return in future movies, and this could either be through new solo movies or an appearance in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, which will be released in 2025 and 2026 respectively.
Marvel has not yet confirmed their plans for the MCU publicly beyond the Avengers movies, Fantastic Four and beyond but there is the potential for them to share details at D23. But given how well Deadpool and Wolverine is doing at the box office it's likely that Marvel would like to profit off its success by making more movies with the pair.
The film itself makes reference to Jackman's return to the role of Wolverine not being his last one, as Deadpool says that "Fox killed him off, Disney brought him back" and "they're going to make him do this til he's 90".
For his part, Jackman hasn't said that he doesn't want to return to the role, if anything it seems playing the character again has been reinvigorating so perhaps he will.
There is, of course, the matter of Marvel's future X-Men live-action project, and although little is known about it, having Jackman play Wolverine seems like a logical thing to do. Keen's Laura would also be a valued member of a new X-Men team, and The Marvels teased the potential for the X-Men to debut through an alternate universe. Basically, anything is possible now the multiverse is an option.
Reynolds has spoken directly about a possible return to the role of Deadpool, telling Variety: "I could see any version of it. I can imagine a solo movie, being part of an ensemble. I can imagine that this is also the last time. I never feel anything other than that."
He also joked about the matter during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, telling the host when asked if he'd make another film: "Oh god no. My wife and children will divorce me.
"Jimmy, I have no prenup with any of them. I will be capital 'B' broke, and in turn, probably then doing Deadpool 4 because I'd need the money."
Only time will tell when it comes to what Marvel has planned but there's one thing we can be certain of, Kevin Feige will make sure fans know about it long before they're released.
Deadpool and Wolverine is out now in cinemas.
