The £1.03 billion box office smash that is Deadpool & Wolverine has left fans and critics alike wondering: what next for Ryan Reynolds' quick-witted, merc-with-a-mouth antihero? The film's scathing satire of the MCU may have been a laugh-out-loud masterpiece, but it also raised some serious questions about how Deadpool fits into the bigger picture. And with reports circulating that Reynolds will reprise his role in Avengers: Doomsday, suddenly, things get very interesting indeed.
A new trailer for Doomsday dropped this week, and although Ryan Reynolds himself was nowhere to be seen, the guest stars were plentiful – and tantalising. Channing Tatum's Gambit, introduced in Deadpool & Wolverine, made an appearance alongside Patrick Stewart's Professor X, Ian McKellen's Magneto, and Rebecca Romijn's Mystique. It's clear that Marvel Studios are setting up a multiverse collision course that could easily draw Deadpool into the fray.
The big question is: can Wade Wilson evolve from his current role as snarky observer to full-fledged superhero? If he is to play a meaningful part in Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel will need to find a way to balance Deadpool's irreverent humour with genuine narrative weight. Reynolds has always maintained that the character works best as part of an ensemble, but for this to happen, the other characters must be given their moment in the spotlight – rather than just serving as punchlines.
Of course, some might say that toning down Deadpool's edge would ruin his essence, but we know better. The first two Deadpool films proved that Reynolds can evoke genuine emotion while still keeping it raucously funny. It's time to take the next step and give Deadpool a story with real heart – not just one that relies on superhero stories being inherently ridiculous.
The stakes are high, and the outcome is far from certain, but one thing's for sure: if Deadpool is going to play his part in saving the multiverse, he'll need to put his mouth where his money is. Or should we say... his merc-with-a-mouth skills?