Credit: Ryan Reynolds, Instagram
Is it time for a new Deadpool?
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During Super Bowl LVIII, Marvel Studios made a major announcement: the eagerly awaited third film in the Deadpool series, formerly known as Deadpool 3, will now be titled Deadpool & Wolverine.
Directed by Shawn Levy, who also helmed Deadpool 2 (2018), this newest installment in the Deadpool franchise will be incorporated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) after The Walt Disney Company’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, now called 20th Century Studios.
Related: Disney Stops ‘Deadpool’ Star From Achieving Major Physical Transformation
Ryan Reynolds, known for his role as Deadpool/Wade Wilson (the self-proclaimed “Marvel Jesus”), partnered with “frenemy” Hugh Jackman, famous for his portrayal of Wolverine/Logan in the Fox X-Men Universe. Together, they announced that the Deadpool franchise would finally continue — now seamlessly transitioning into Disney’s MCU under the leadership of Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige.
Transitioning from the self-contained Fox X-Men Universe to the much larger, vaster MCU (currently in its Multiverse Saga phase) necessitates that Marvel integrate the mutant-heavy X-Men universe into the storyline of the third Deadpool film.
Now, official channels have revealed a change previously unheard of — one that may surprise some fans.
Who Will Disney’s New “Samurai Deadpool” Be?
It’s no secret that Deadpool, AKA Wade Wilson, has a face that isn’t particularly easy on the eyes. The healing factor mutation he acquired in the first Deadpool film means that he is essentially one giant, walking tumor — and it led Deadpool to feel the need to cover his face up with that famous mask, even hiding his changed appearance from his fiancee Vanessa Carlysle (Morena Baccarin).
Considering that his “lost” good looks are a sore spot for Wade Wilson, and considering the fact that Ryan Reynolds is unable to act as the character without either heavy prosthetic makeup or a full head mask, it seems like Disney is giving one version of Deadpool a chance to be free — likely rubbing it in Reynolds’ character’s face.
In fact, this new variant of Deadpool comes from the game Marvel Snap, and gives Marvel fans a teaser of the much-anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine. This new art of “Samurai Deadpool” indicates that a good-looking variant of Deadpool with long, flowing golden locks will make his MCU debut — and means that either a fun cameo will become Deadpool (could that be Chris Hemsworth AKA Thor Odinson, or Chris Evans AKA Steve Rogers/Captain America in the suit?), or perhaps simply Ryan Reynolds in a long blonde wig.
In fact, there is a likelihood that this new Deadpool iteration will stick around and potentially even replace Ryan Reynolds as the MCU moves forward with its own X-Men story, apart from 20th Century Studios’ (formerly 20th Century Fox) narrative.
The image of this new Samurai Deadpool (grinning, hair flying dramatically, and making a heart with his fingers) was shared by Deadpool Updates on X/Twitter:
MARVEL SNAP has shared a first look at a new Deadpool variant who will be making an appearance in ‘DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE’ 👀
MARVEL SNAP has shared a first look at a new Deadpool variant who will be making an appearance in ‘DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE’ 👀 pic.twitter.com/kgCuRqF2KS
— Deadpool Updates (@DeadpoolUpdate) July 7, 2024
Next to this mysteriously good-looking Samurai Deadpool variant is Dogpool (middle), and the bust of Professor X variant/evil twin Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin) blown up in the background — likely to be the film’s main antagonist.
Cassandra Nova survived childbirth by transferring her consciousness into her mother’s body, harboring a deep-seated hatred for mutants, particularly her brother Charles Xavier. Cassandra Nova orchestrates a mutant genocide on Genosha — the island sanctuary that will likely contain Adamantium in the MCU, potentially connected to Eternals (2021) — and becomes a formidable adversary for the X-Men, exploiting their weaknesses and causing internal conflict among the team.
With news of all these multiple Deadpool variants and cameos, one thing’s for certain — if anything would be the start of the Deadpool Corps from the Marvel Comics in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it would be this movie.
Who could this cool, Samurai Deadpool be? Only time will tell.
Deadpool & Wolverine debuts in theaters on July 26, 2024.
Who do you think might play Samurai Deadpool? Are you excited for the new film? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
More on Deadpool & Wolverine
Deadpool 3 AKA Deadpool & Wolverine is poised to introduce several notable X-Men characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
This exciting lineup includes Halle Berry reprising her role as Ororo Munroe, also known as Storm; Famke Janssen returning as Dr. Jean Grey; James Marsden as Scott Summers, or Cyclops; and the beloved Patrick Stewart coming back as the iconic Professor Charles Xavier, or Professor X, alongside Ian McKellen reprising his role as Erik Lehnsherr, known as Magneto.
There’s even a possibility that the younger iterations of Professor Xavier, Magneto, and Mystique from the Fox franchise, originally played by James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Jennifer Lawrence, respectively, could be integrated.
Additionally, Channing Tatum is rumored to have completed filming for Deadpool 3. Jennifer Garner, who starred as Elektra in Ben Affleck’s Daredevil (2003), is expected to return as Elektra in the upcoming film. These revelations represent just a fraction of the cameos and roles that have been unveiled so far.
