Ryan Reynolds has stirred curiosity regarding the future of the beloved ‘Deadpool’ franchise. In a recent interview with Willie Geist on the Sunday Sitdown Live series, Reynolds offered insights about the direction he envisions for his iconic character. The actor and writer suggested that fans may not get the standalone film they are hoping for, as he views Deadpool as more of a supporting character rather than the centrepiece of a new narrative.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Ryan-Reynolds-deadpool-042026-1-2c66993b03394a248f87ec9677a04db7.jpg)
During the conversation aired on Sunday, Reynolds acknowledged that although he has some material written for the next phase of Deadpool’s cinematic journey, he expressed uncertainty about focusing the storyline solely on the character again. “I think he’s a supporting character, you know?” Reynolds remarked, hinting at a shift in how he intends to portray the Merc with a Mouth in the future.
The next significant appearance for Deadpool will be in the upcoming film ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’, featuring Hugh Jackman. This film marks the character’s first entrance into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, following the successes of the original two Deadpool films released in 2016 and 2018. While those films positioned Deadpool as the hero, Reynolds’ comments suggest that a standalone fourth film may now be off the table.
Reynolds described Deadpool as “a guy that’s great in a group,” accentuating the character’s role as a comic relief rather than the main focus of a story. This shift may leave fans of the franchise feeling apprehensive about their expectations for individual films centred solely on Deadpool in the future.
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ has already made waves by becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, further solidifying the character’s popularity. However, fans should be aware that there have been no confirmed plans for future standalone projects featuring Reynolds in the titular role. The star has been linked to numerous upcoming projects, including ‘Mayday’, which debuts on Apple TV on September 4, 2024, and ‘Animal Friends’, set for theatrical release on January 22, 2027.
Although speculation about Reynolds’ involvement in future Marvel films, including potential appearances in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ slated for December 18, continues to swirl, Reynolds clarified in a September interview with Entertainment Weekly that he had yet to return to the set for any such projects. His commitment to the character remains strong, but his vision does not include him becoming part of the X-Men or Avengers.
In a past interview with The Hollywood Reporter in December 2024, Reynolds articulated his belief that Deadpool should maintain his outsider status within the Marvel universe. “His coping mechanism of deflecting shame through humour works only when used to pave over his many inadequacies,” Reynolds explained, emphasising that inclusion into the larger teams would signal the end of the character’s developmental journey.
In addition to discussing Deadpool’s future, Reynolds touched on personal matters including his imminent 50th birthday, various business ventures, and his supportive relationship with wife Blake Lively. The couple shares four children, and Reynolds shed light on the realities of balancing parenting with his demanding career.
As fans of Deadpool await more news, it seems that they will need to adjust their expectations regarding the character’s cinematic future. While Reynolds remains enthusiastic about Deadpool’s role in upcoming collaborations, the era of standalone films may already be waning.