Deadpool 3 will be the first of its series produced as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and one of the franchise's returning stars is opening up about how the movie will be different as part of Marvel Studios. The X-Men may be getting rebooted for the MCU, but Wade Wilson will stay the same as Ryan Reynolds is officially joining the same world as the Avengers. Deadpool 3 will see Wade get integrated into the MCU, setting him up for more adventures down the line.
One of the big questions about Deadpool 3 is how it will be executed as a Disney/Marvel Studios movie, as they haven't previously released andy R-rated movies. However, one of the returning cast members on Deadpool 3 stresses that nothing is getting toned because of Disney. In a recent interview with Comic Book, Karan Soni, who has played Dopinder since the first movie, spoke about his experience coming back for the sequel and how fans shouldn't be worried about the quality of Wade's latest installment, stating the following:
I have begun working on that one, so I can say that it is the same as the other two. It's like hard R. There's a lot of that stuff. So it does not feel different. The only thing that, for me, is different is that I have not gotten the script this time. The other two, we did get it, it's a big difference, at least for me, the MCU part of it vs. the Fox/Marvel part of it. They're so strict. So I've only seen glimpses of what I'm in.
When I did some of the stuff, I saw some things that I didn't know were in the thing. I think, I would just say it this way: Ryan [Reynolds] doesn't need to do any of these movies unless he gets to do his version of it and he is such a star, and, I don't need to say this, a creative genius. He's taking this opportunity and really pushing everything and, definitely, he's doing a lot of cool stuff. I feel very optimistic about it. Him and [director] Shawn [Levy], they work so well together, that I think it will be really exciting for people to see how they take their collaborations that they've done, now successfully twice, in this new version and play in this massive sandbox with a lot of stuff. It is very, very exciting. I will not underestimate Ryan Reynolds.
While Deadpool 3 is going to be R-rated, it still begs the question of how the movie will still work through the MCU lens. With the movie still filming, Deadpool 3 is facing one restriction that the past movies didn't have, as Reynolds isn't allowed to do any improv. Because of the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike, Reynolds has to stick to the script that was written prior to the strike by him, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Zeb Wells, and director Shawn Levy.
Whether that will be a problem for Reynolds as a performer remains to be seen, as he will likely be asked about it in interviews when they start promoting Deadpool 3. In general, it doesn't seem like Kevin Feige has any plans to make significant changes to the Deadpool 3 character simply because he will be under the MCU umbrella. Knowing what made the Deadpool movies successful, it would be a big risk for Feige to mess with a recipe that has already proven to work.
For now, the bigger question is when a first proper look at Deadpool 3 will be released. Since Marvel Studios is skipping San Diego Comic-Con this summer, it will likely be some time until they start promoting the movie, which may have to wait until the WGA strike comes to an end. But with everything that is known about Deadpool 3, there is already a lot to look forward to when the movie arrives in 2024.
Deadpool 3 cannot see Ryan Reynolds improv during production, but the character's comic book creator has one suggestion to solve that issue. Deadpool 3 is a major endeavor, with the movie being the first set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the Fox X-Men hero. Reynolds leads Deadpool 3's cast, which includes Hugh Jackman returning as Wolverine, past characters from the last two Deadpool movies, and more. Deadpool 3's story could be in danger due to the movie hitting a roadblock in production, but there is a way to circumvent the problem.
On Twitter, Deadpool comic book co-creator Rob Liefeld addressed Reynolds not being able to improv during Deadpool 3's filming, suggesting a solution.
I keep reading all this “Oh no, Ryan Reynolds can’t improvise on DP3 stuff…” you know that he’s wearing a mask and that in post-production he can ad lib like crazy. ADR is where really fun bits happen.
As Reynolds wears a mask for most of the film, Liefeld positions that the actor could use the Additional Dialog Replacement — ADR — process to improvise lines that he cannot during production, which seems like a perfect solution.
Why Ryan Reynolds Cannot Improv Lines During Deadpool 3 Filming
Reynolds is not allowed to improvise lines for the movie because of the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike. The WGA is striking for better working conditions for writers, which include a focus on new streaming residuals rules and combating the use of AI to replace writers on scripts. As one of Deadpool 3's writers, Reynolds improvising lines would be considered a breach of the strike's rules.
Reynolds is a big force behind the Deadpool movies, with his characteristic brand of humor being a perfect fit with the character's, which is why the R-rated franchise became so popular in the first place. Deadpool 3 not being able to feature the actor's spontaneity during filming is a big miss for the movie, as that aspect has been pointed out multiple times in the past as being one of the key factors that led to some of the Deadpool movies' funniest moments.
Thankfully, Deadpool 3 can circumvent that issue by using Liefeld's suggestion, which Reynolds already has experience doing. At the time of Deadpool 2's release, composer Tyler Bates revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that Reynolds "continued writing and updating the movie" well into post-production. The actor was able to use "the full body suit and cutting maneuvers in editing (...) to change lines and jokes right up to picture lock.” Based on that, there is nothing to fear with Reynolds' improv ban, as the actor can just come up with some exciting jokes for Deadpool 3 in post-production after the WGA strike ends
The running total now sits at five when it comes to X-Men heroes that Deadpool 3 will bring back for the upcoming MCU threequel.
Deadpool's return to the big screen is an exciting one, as the character falls under the Marvel Studios banner for the first time in his cinematic tenure.
The film marks the first R-rated film to enter Marvel's PG-13 universe, with all the tenants of a Deadpool film making a return, albeit now with the ability to poke fun at the biggest super-powered universe in Hollywood.
More Returning X-Men Heroes Coming in Deadpool 3
According to a new report from Deadline, two more familiar faces from Fox's X-Men/Deadpool franchise will return for Deadpool 3. This brings the tally of returning X-Men characters up to five for the bad-mouthed blockbuster.
Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand)
After appearing in both previous Deadpool films, Deadline revealed that Brianna Hildebrand has closed a deal to bring her Negasonic Teenage Warhead back to the big screen for Deadpool 3.
The angsty teenage mutant was last seen helping Deadpool repair Cable's time travel machine (a device that will be key to Deadpool 3) in Deadpool 2, alongside her newly-introduced girlfriend Yukio.
Yukio (Shioli Kutsuna)
The other name listed in Deadline's most recent reporting was the aforementioned Yukio (played by Shioli Kutsuna).
The bubbly mutant ninja captured the hearts of fans back in Deadpool 2, coming into the fray as Negasonic Teenage Warhead's girlfriend. Yukio will be back for Deadpool 3, but it remains to be seen if she is still in a relationship with her X-Men teammate.
Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds)
Of course, Ryan Reynolds' titular merc with a mouth will be back for Deadpool 3. This time though he will get to have a bit of extra fun, as the threequel marks the character's first time working within the walls of the MCU.
After confidently killing baddies in the Fox universe, Deadpool 3 will serve as a bit of a "fish-out-of-water" story for Wade Wilson, as he traverses the Multiverse alongside Hugh Jackman's stoic Wolverine.
Wolverine (Hugh Jackman)
After appearing in what many believed to be his final go round the X-Men racetrack in Logan, Hugh Jackman will return in Deadpool 3 as Wolverine.
On donning the claws yet again as his iconic mutant, Jackman has said he thought "that Logan was going to be [his] last [movie]," but after seeing the first Deadpool, he knew appearing in one of these movies was something he "really [wanted] to do."
Colossus (Stefan Kapicic)
Another familiar face recently confirmed to appear in the upcoming threequel is the thick-as-rock Colossus (played by Stefan Kapicic).
Kapicic has popped up in both Deadpool and Deadpool 2, playing a hilarious version of the iconic X-Men hero, and serving as Deadpool's closest connection to the beloved team of Marvel mutants.
Who is Missing From Deadpool 3?
For fans of the Deadpool franchise, it will be exciting to see another couple of familiar heroes making the jump into the MCU alongside the Merc with a Mouth, but there are still a number of names that remain a question mark when it comes to the upcoming threequel.
The biggest example of this is Josh Brolin's Cable (who was a major part of Deadpool 2). With word that Deadpool 3 will follow Deadpool and co. using "Cable's time travel machine to save Wolverine before his death," one would expect Brolin's X-Men character to appear.
Plus, having the actor reprise his role would open up all sorts of comedic opportunities, with Brolin having previously played the Marvel villain Thanos in the MCU.
Another batch of characters that have been teased but not yet confirmed for the super-powered blockbuster is the members of the X-Force (seen in Deadpool 2). Ryan Reynolds recently tweeted, “X-Force will live forever!” along with a picture of his Marvel anti-hero, Zazie Beetz's Domino, and Terry Crews' Bedlam.
So, do not be surprised if some of those X-Force team members are confirmed to return in Deadpool 3.
Deadpool 3 is set to hit theaters on November 8, 2024.
Deadpool 3 has added Succession star Matthew Macfadyen to its cast in an undisclosed role.
Per Deadline, Macfadyen joined the cast in a mystery role in his first project after Succession with its upcoming final season. The actor joins stars Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman and Emma Corrin in the third film, which also marks the first official entry in the Deadpool series to release as a Marvel Cinematic Universe project. Previous entries held a firm R-rating, which led to some concerned fans who worried the next film would lack the same violence as the first two. However, Disney and Marvel have confirmed it will maintain its R-rating.
Who's In Deadpool 3?
Apart from starring Reynolds and Jackman as Deadpool/Wade Wilson and Wolverine/Login, respectfully, the film's additional cast has remained mysterious. Some fans believed that Corrin's role, which has been confirmed as the villain, might be Danger. However, this was later debunked, leaving her actual character still a mystery. Patrick Stewart may also appear in Deadpool 3, as the actor hinted at his potential return as Professor X. "I've been told to standby," he said. "I know nothing more than that, honest."
Another report indicated that Loki's Mobius M. Mobius (Owen Wilson) and Miss Minutes (Tara Strong) would also appear in the film, as Deadpool has a run-in with the TVA. This came months after rumors began about Miss Minutes' potential involvement after a fan account for the character had a brief interaction with Reynolds. However, Strong later stated she'd heard the rumors and could not corroborate them, but said she would be happy to return for Deadpool 3 if asked.
Deadpool 3's Rumored Time Travel Plot
Despite fan excitement over Jackman's return as Wolverine, many fans expressed concern about how it might hurt the impact of his intended final run as the hero in 2017's Logan. In December 2022, Jackman eased fans' concerns by insinuating that Deadpool 3 might involve time travel, taking a page out of Avengers: Endgame's book. "All because of this device they have in the Marvel world of moving around timelines, now we can go back because you know it's science," Jackman said. "And so I don't have to screw with the Logan timeline which was important to me and I think probably to the fans too."
Deadpool 3 will premiere in theaters on Nov. 8, 2024.
The adversary of Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine's new upcoming MCU threequel may have just gotten new details.
One of the juiciest rumors of late regarding Deadpool 3 is that it will feature Owen Wilson's Mobius from Loki. Not only could he be in it, but he could have "a big role."
However, his involvement means the Time Variance Authority is a part of the story, which in turn indicates that the anticipated follow-up will be a Multiverse-spanning tale.
With that in mind, the possibilities for potential villains could be endless. Now, some new information could narrow it down, if only by a little.
New Details on MCU Deadpool's Villain
Insider Daniel Richtman shared some potential details on who the villain will be in Deadpool 3.
According to the grid, the movie is casting a "FEMALE VILLAIN" aged in her 30s, 40s, or 50s. This female adversary is reportedly a "lead" who is "a foe to Deadpool and Wolverine."
Additionally, the production is also looking for a "MALE LEAD" who is a "BIPOC" (Black Indigenous Persons of Color) who would be a "leading man but not a suit." They "want a strong actor... [who] could [also] have comedy." The grid added that this character "will have scenes with Ryan [Reynolds] and Hugh [Jackman]."
This information comes from a casting grid and is not confirmed by Marvel or Disney, so it remains a rumor.
Who Will Deadpool 3's Female Villain Be?
Murphy's Multiverse posed the theory that it could be Danger, who is the robotic personification of the X-Men's classic training room. The outlet made this educated guess based on the comic issue (which heavily features the character) Reynolds can be seen reading on the toilet in Hugh Jackman's announcement video.
Another good guess could be Lady Deadpool. With it potentially being a Multiversal romp, introducing her could be a great foil to both Wade Wilson and Wolverine. That's not to even mention all the Loki jokes they could make.
An additional option people have floated would be Lady Deathstrike, who has sharp blades as her fingertips. She's an old villain of Wolverine's who feels that the hero doesn't deserve to wield the adamantium he has. This character was actually first seen in X2, but there'd be nothing stopping them from reinventing her.
One completely out-there theory could be a grown-up X-23, originally played by Dafne Keen. Maybe something happened to this version of the character that turned her against Logan.
Though, it's previously been stated that they don't intend to mess with what Logan achieved—so that might be enough to eliminate at least one option.
Deadpool 3 is currently slated to arrive in theaters on September 6, 2024.
Marvel's She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is now streaming on Disney+, and it seems as though Bruce Banner's cousin Jennifer Walters is the safer version of Deadpool. While the Merc With the Mouth played by Ryan Reynolds is the most popular Marvel character who's self-aware and knows he's in a fictional medium, She-Hulk broke the fourth wall years 2 years before Deadpool's first appearance in the comics. Now, it looks as though Jen Walters is ready to be similarly self-aware on-screen as well.
Beginning with John Byrne's Sensational She-Hulk comic series in 1989, Jen Walters started to interact with readers and editors alike, having a full awareness that she was in a comic book. Serving as a unique and often humorous story-telling convention in the comics, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law episode 1 sees Jen interacting with the audience in a similar manner. Helping to narrate events, Jen talks to the camera as she shares her personal feelings and responses while training to be a Hulk with her cousin Bruce (who's more than a little jealous by how quickly she picks things up).
Seeing as how the upcoming Deadpool 3 is expected to be integrated into the MCU now that Disney owns the X-Men franchise, Wade Wilson and Jen Walters are the only 2 meta heroes who can break the fourth wall and interact with viewers. However, She-Hulk is clearly the more filtered and safer of the two, with the Deadpool R-rated movie marking the latter as far raunchier. Without a doubt, She-Hulk is a more accessible superhero to a much wider audience range.
How She-Hulk Is Different From Deadpool
It should be noted that She-Hulk is different from Deadpool in the ways Wade and Jen break the fourth wall on-screen. When Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool has broken the fourth wall, it's largely ignored and not responded to, even when he makes comments about studios or actors such as Patrick Stewart or James McAvoy (who both play versions of Charles Xavier). In comparison, Jen confides in the audience as if they were a friend, though what's more surprising is that Bruce seemed to notice her looking off and talking to nothing (from his perspective). Seeing as how Jen has no alternate identity like Bruce Banner and the Hulk, it's possible that the "person" Jen is talking to isn't the audience at all, but rather her own secondary persona that's manifested much differently than Bruce's did.
All things considered, it has to be wondered if She-Hulk and Deadpool will ever meet in the future of the MCU. While Daredevil is already confirmed for a She-Hulk appearance, perhaps Deadpool will have a cameo as well to see who can break the fourth wall best. At any rate, She-Hulk seems to be the generally safer meta hero for those who can't handle or are too young for Wade Wilson's more adult antics in his own films.
Though audiences may best know one for a certain style of humor, star Tatiana Maslany and creator Jessica Gao are addressing She-Hulk: Attorney at Law's Deadpool comparisons. The former character was introduced in the Marvel Comics with 1980's The Savage She-Hulk No. 1 as Jennifer Walters, a lawyer who receives an emergency blood transfusion from her cousin Bruce Banner after an injury and becomes a similarly super-powered being. Though initially retaining the ability to switch between both forms, later comics would see her only in her She-Hulk version and works as legal counsel to various superheroes and metahumans, while occasionally using her powers for superhero means.
Orphan Black Emmy winner Tatiana Maslany is leading the cast of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law as Jennifer, with fresh faces Jameela Jamil as Titania, Josh Segarra, Jon Bass and Renée Elise Goldsberry, as well as MCU vets Tim Roth as Abomination, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner, Benedict Wong as Wong and Charlie Cox as Daredevil. Jessica Gao, the Emmy-winning writer behind Rick and Morty's "Pickle Rick" season 3 episode, is serving as creator of the show while Marry Me's Kat Coiro is leading the directing team. As She-Hulk: Attorney at Law gears up for its release, those behind the series are opening up about their influences on the project, as well as perceived comparisons.
At a recent press event for the series (via CBR), star Tatiana Maslany and creator Jessica Gao addressed She-Hulk: Attorney at Law's Deadpool comparisons. The two noted the fact that their heroine broke the fourth wall in the comics long before the Merc with a Mouth and jokingly state that he was the one to steal from them. See what they said below:
Gao: If you know anything about She-Hulk the character, you would know that she [did that].
Maslany: Deadpool copied She-Hulk.
Given trailers for the series have shown Maslany's titular heroine breaking the fourth wall, it's understandable some would make comparisons between She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Deadpool. However, those familiar with the comics, as well as Maslany and Gao, know that not only did the character frequently break the fourth wall in the source pages, but that she began doing so in 1989's Sensational She-Hulk series, a full two years before Deadpool made his comic book debut with 1991's New Mutants No. 98. In addition to crossing over in the comics, She-Hulk and Deadpool got time to break the fourth wall together with Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds and its update Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, which saw her make references to their meta abilities.
In addition to Deadpool, many have drawn comparisons between She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Fleabag, to which both Maslany and Gao have confirmed was a major influence on the MCU series in its sense of humor and fourth-wall breaking. With Reynolds' Merc with a Mouth gearing up to make his MCU debut in Deadpool 3, Maslany has pitched her own idea for the two to crossover, in which their superhero characters would run into the actual actors in their stories for a full meta storyline. While audiences continue to hold out hope for their fourth-wall breaking team up, they can look forward to She-Hulk: Attorney at Law premiering on August 18.
Audiences are excited to finally see Ryan Reynolds' Merc with a Mouth again on the big screen. In fact, the actor has even begun training for the film. But what about the other cast members that were part of his journey in the last two movies? One of the biggest examples, who was introduced in Deadpool 2, is Zazie Beetz’s Domino.
The mutant’s ability ties back to having extreme luck, something that is perfectly displayed when nearly all of the other X-Force members die parachuting from a plane as she makes it out perfectly fine. Not even Brad Pitt's Vanisher could survive the fall.
But will that luck carry over from the fictional character to the actress and manifest a spot in the highly anticipated Deadpool 3? It’s not clear if that’s what the project will have in mind for the world, but Beetz herself seems to think the situation may be looking up for her.
Domino Naturally ‘Feels Lucky’
While talking with The Hollywood Reporter, Deadpool 2 actress Zazie Beetz, who played the mutant Domino, was asked about potentially returning as the character in the next installment of Ryan Reynolds' superhero series.
As one might expect, the actress’ response was vague, but she did mention how she “feel[s] lucky” when asked about her luck, even though she “can’t really divulge or say anything:”
Will Domino Appear In Deadpool 3?
One interesting report recently noted how Marvel Studios might not be able to release any Mutant-based projects until 2025 due to old contracts from the Fox Studios films. The one loophole around this would be to use actors has the same versions of the characters they used to play—such as Ryan Reynolds' Wade Wilson and Patrick Stewart’s Professor X.
This would also happen to include Beetz’s Domino. Maybe she’ll join Josh Brolin’s Cable in tagging along with Deadpool as he makes his way over to the MCU?
Audiences seemed to enjoy her role in Deadpool 2, so it would only make sense for her to return for more—though, obviously, it’s not quite clear what the canonicity situation may be for the upcoming threequel.
Hopefully, Marvel Studios’ D23 presentation will hold some fun surprises when it comes to Deadpool 3. Maybe even some official casting news, and information on what fans could expect from the plot? After all, the world is dying to know.
Deadpool 3 is expected to hit theaters sometime in 2024 or 2025.
Brad Pitt explains why he agreed to cameo as Vanisher in Deadpool 2. Pitt’s latest movie, Bullet Train, sees the A-lister team up with John Wick, Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw director David Leitch. Leitch previously worked as Pitt’s stunt double on films in the late 90s and early 00s before the duo reunited for Deadpool 2, in which Pitt (very) briefly appeared as Vanisher.
Two years after Ryan Reynolds made his faithfully irreverent debut as the Merc with a Mouth, he returned for Leitch’s Deadpool 2. As Wade Wilson attempted to form a version of the X-Force, the film introduced new characters in Domino (Zazie Beetz), Bedlam (Terry Crews), Shatterstar (Lewis Tan), Zeitgeist (Bill Skarsgård), a hilariously regular human named Peter (Rob Delaney), and Vanisher. The latter character is entirely invisible and isn’t seen by the audience until the bulk of the X-Force meet their demise, with Vanisher colliding into power lines and being electrocuted—which reveals the inimitable face of Brad Pitt. Viewers might wonder why one of the biggest stars in the industry would agree to a seconds-long cameo. Turns out, it didn’t take much convincing.
During a recent interview with BBC Radio 1’s Ali Plumb to promote Bullet Train, Pitt provided a little background on how his Deadpool 2 cameo came to fruition. While calling it the “easiest thing [he’s] ever done,” the actor explained why he agreed to play Vanisher. Read what he had to say below:
“What was shooting that like? Pretty much, easiest thing I’ve ever done. Dave’s an old friend of mine and he used to be… he was my stunt double starting with Fight Club and all the way up till about 2004. And then he went off and became a really good director, which is rare. Rare.”
“Ryan called and like, why not?"
Deadpool 2 screenwriter Paul Wernick has previously explained that he, along with co-writers Rhett Reese and Reynolds, didn’t have Vanisher showing his face in the original script. However, as it evolved, the team thought the character’s death was the perfect vehicle for a celebrity cameo. Therefore, they decided to approach “the hardest get in Hollywood.” Reynolds then reached out to PEOPLE Magazine’s “sexiest man alive,” 1995, whose children loved the first Deadpool film, and he agreed to cameo in Deadpool 2 for a very low salary and a cup of coffee.
Following Pitt’s appearance in Deadpool 2, Reynolds has made a habit of having huge celebrity cameos in his movies, with Free Guy featuring the likes of Hugh Jackman, Channing Tatum, and Chris Evans. Free Guy director Shawn Levy is now set to helm Disney/Marvel Studios’ R-rated Deadpool 3, which is being written by Wernick, Reese, and Reynolds. With the multiverse and meta-commentary perpetually in play now, it remains to be seen if/how the franchise’s third installment, Deadpool 3, will top Pitt’s cameo as Vanisher.
Disney+ is playing host to two mutants as Deadpool and Logan are coming to the streaming service.
The company announced that Fox's popular entries in its X-Men franchise will be the latest superhero movies to join Disney+. Deadpool, Deadpool 2 and Logan will all be available to stream on the platform starting from July 22. Given the more violent nature of these films in comparison to the other Marvel movies available on Disney+, the company invited users to revisit and adjust their apps' parental controls. To celebrates the films' new streaming home, fans attending San Diego Comic-Con 2022 can pick up a free chimichanga at Disney+'s Deadpool truck.
The Deadpool movies chronicle the misadventures of Wade Wilson, a foul-mouthed, fourth-wall-breaking mercenary who gains the ability to regenerate any injury after he undergoes a dangerous treatment for his terminal cancer. Starring Ryan Reynolds as the titular Merc with the Mouth, both movies proved to be a massive box-office success, earning positive reviews from fans and critics alike. Following Disney's acquisition of Fox, Deadpool is expected to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe in his third solo movie which is currently in the early stages of production.
While Deadpool is a fun, violent love story, Logan is a very different beast. Focusing on an old, worn-down Wolverine, the tragic superhero Western marked Hugh Jackman's final outing as the brutal mutant. The titular hero is forced into undertaking one last mission as he puts his life on the line to protect a young girl with powers similar to his that's on the run from a dark agency.
Following Jackman's critically-acclaimed performance in Logan, many fans of the character were disheartened that the actor retired from the role. Despite his insistence that he has no desire to reprise his part as Wolverine, that hasn't stopped audiences from anticipating his arrival in the MCU. Many suspected that the clawed mutant would have a brief cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, a suspicion that proved incorrect.
Jackman may not have any plans to return to the realm of superheroes but Reynolds will once again don his black and red costume for Deadpool 3. "I'll say this about [Deadpool 3] is I'll have a batch of updates on that sooner rather than later, I hope," Reynolds teased in early 2022. "So I'll be able to get into stuff about Deadpool a little bit more clearly and definitively down the road."
Deadpool, Deadpool 2 and Logan arrive on Disney+ on July 22.
Avengers Campus in Disneyland Paris hides a sneaky reference to Wade Wilson aka Deadpool.
As pointed out by Insider journalist Kirsten Acuna during a media preview event, one of the park's latest attractions acknowledges the existence of the Merc with the Mouth. During the Avengers Assemble: Flight Force event, the ride's plot sees Tony Stark discovering the existence of a Kree missile hurtling towards Earth and scrolls through his list of superhero contacts to determine who could assist with the problem. A card for Deadpool, which includes his real name and logo, briefly appears under the "Do Not Contact" section alongside other roguish Marvel characters such as Yondu, Nebula, Crossbones and Sonny Burch. It's currently unknown whether Disney has any plans to include Wade Wilson in its Avengers Campus experience.
While Deadpool himself doesn't make an appearance in the theme park video, various Marvel Cinematic Universe characters do briefly feature when Iron Man asks them for help. These heroes include Rocket Raccoon, Ms. Marvel, Ant-Man and Sam Wilson, sporting the new Captain America costume he donned in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Despite their hasty responses, each character is unable to lend a hand in stopping the Kree's weapon and they're otherwise occupied with their own problems.
Avengers Campus is a theme-park location based on the ever-growing MCU. There are currently two areas dedicated to allowing Marvel fans to walk amongst their favorite comic book and film characters, with the first being established at Disney California Adventure in 2021 while the Disneyland Paris version opens on July 20, 2022. The parks are known to keep up with recent MCU releases, featuring appearances by iconic characters such as America Chavez, President Loki and both Moon Knight and Mr. Knight.
While Avengers Campus is largely inspired by the characters and actors that feature in the MCU, many fans were initially puzzled by the parks' placement in the sprawling canon of the on-screen superhero world. Dan Fields, executive creative director of Disney Parks Live Entertainment, explained that while the links and inspiration are apparent, the MCU is set in a different universe to the theme park. "This campus exists in the real world, and therefore, those heroes are here and keep an eye on us, keep us all safe. There's no apocalyptic snap happening in this campus," Fields said.
Disneyland Paris' Avengers Campus opens on July 20.
The last time Ryan Reynolds was seen in costume as his iconic character of Deadpool was in 2018 for his solo sequel featuring Josh Brolin's Cable. That, of course, does not include the fun little video gag the actor did with Taika Waititi's Korg during the promo tour for Free Guy. Fans are dying to see the Merc with the Mouth once again, and ever since Disney's acquisition of Fox Studios, his return remains a mystery.
At the very least, both Disney and Marvel have confirmed that an MCU-set Deadpool 3 is happening, with director Shawn Levy on board. Not only that, but according to the film's writers, "Deadpool is gonna be Deadpool," and the studio has been "very supportive" of the franchise's R-Rated requirement.
Waiting for the third movie in Wade Wilson's story has been difficult, and many fans have been hoping to see him earlier. In fact, before Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness came out, the character was rumored to be one of the project's various cameos. The film's writer, Michael Waldron, even confirmed that "[they] talked about [including Deadpool]." Clearly, this never ended up happening.
Thanks to a talented fan, audiences can now see what it would have been like to see Deadpool back in action alongside Benedict Cumberbatch's hero, on the Illuminati of Earth-838, no less.
Deadpool Joins the Big Boys
Thanks to Youtuber Mightyraccoon!, fans can now witness Ryan Reynold's favorite reality, one that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness never showed audiences. The channel has created a truly impressive edit of the recent movie's introduction of the Illuminati. This time, in addition to the group that fans saw in theaters, Wade Wilson himself joins the party.
The one-minute clip shows Deadpool introducing himself and proceeding to kill Wanda before she annihilates Reed Richards and the rest of his teammates. It can be seen in its entirety below.
As Marvel Studios forges deeper into its Phase 4 slate, there's a growing interest in the studio's future plans, which are expected to include Fantastic Four, the Thunderbolts, potentially a Young Avengers project, and, of course, Deadpool 3. In fact, of all the upcoming films on the roster, Ryan Reynolds' threequel is the one fans have heard the most about. What they don't know is just when they'll actually get to see it.
Following 2016's Deadpool and 2018's Deadpool 2, the franchise was put on pause due to Disney's Fox acquisition, leaving audiences to wonder if Merc with a Mouth would either be axed or changed to better suit the House of Mouse and the MCU.
Disney and Marvel Studios, as well as Deadpool 3's writers, have calmed such fears, assuring fans that they're "gonna let Deadpool be Deadpool," and Free Guy and Stranger Things director Shawn Levy has signed on to direct. However, even with those updates, there's still no word on when the cameras will begin rolling.
But now, thanks to a new report, it looks like Wade Wilson's MCU debut is making progress alongside a seasoned veteran of Marvel Studios.
Deadpool 3 Underway with Avengers: Endgame Designer
According to Discussing Film, production preparation for Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool 3 is underway with Avengers art director, Raymond Chan, serving as the threequel's production designer.
Even though Deadpool 3 is Wade Wilson's first film within the MCU, Raymond Chan has a long and acclaimed history with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In addition to working on Thor: The Dark World, Doctor Strange, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame as a supervising art director, he also received an award from the Art Directors Guild for his work on Guardians of the Galaxy.
Chan first assumed the responsibility of production designer on Avengers: Endgame reshoots before continuing in the role for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier for Disney+.
More Deadpool 3 News on the Way?
News of Chan's attachment to Reynolds' third run as Merc with a Mouth is good news for Deadpool fans. Even though little information about the film's progress has been revealed, this report suggests that pre-production is up and running and the Deadpool threequel could be closer to filming than fans first realized.
Also, given Chan's extensive work within the MCU, Deadpool 3 is in good hands. In addition to his experience, all of the Marvel Studios he's worked on have been different from the others, and both Infinity War and Endgame featured a variety of characters and locations from on Earth and within the galaxy.
Therefore, it seems safe to say that Chan knows how to take what's original and distinct and meld that within the existing branches of the MCU; and that's exactly what Deadpool 3 needs if it's intended to be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Exactly how that relationship will work, or if Deadpool is going to be separate from the MCU, remains to be seen. However, further clarification on this topic, as well as news of a release date, is expected as pre-production continues and Marvel Studios looks to make future announcements at September's D23 Convention in Anaheim, California.
Spider-Man: No Way Home may have been the first movie to bring Multiversal mayhem to the MCU, but it may be nothing compared to what's coming in 2022's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Marvel Studios' first theatrical film of the year will advance a number of stories within the franchise, which far exceeds Benedict Cumberbatch's master magician alone.
When the sequel was first announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2019, the only wild casting that fans found out about was Elizabeth Olsen's inclusion as Wanda Maximoff. Although her story was said to continue directly from the events of WandaVision, she would be the film's biggest new player alongside Doctor Strange, and they'd eventually have returning players Wong and Baron Mordo join the fray.
After that, this movie's story and cast list turned into...pun totally intended...madness.
The Multiverse became a reality after Tom Holland's Spider-Man threequel, which brought five past Spidey villains into the MCU along with both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's web-slingers. Now, the possibilities are endless for Doctor Strange 2.
With the movie set for release in May, the film's two full trailers and the Super Bowl TV spot have teased various potential heroes and villains that could play a role in the expansive plot. The promo material has led to confirmation and rumors pointing to appearances by plenty of classic Marvel characters from both the MCU and other adjacent universes.
With all that being said, The Direct has compiled 34 characters that are either rumored or confirmed to appear in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch)
It wouldn't exactly be a Doctor Strange movie without Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Stephen Strange. Now more than five years into his MCU tenure, Cumberbatch is set to make his sixth appearance as Marvel's master sorcerer, although this is only his second solo movie after first debuting in Doctor Strange in 2016.
Fans last saw Strange working with Tom Holland's Spider-Man in Spider-Man: No Way Home, having cast the spell that first broke the Multiverse open in order to help Peter Parker with his identity crisis. The threequel ended with Strange performing the spell the way it was originally meant to be cast, leaving the world with no memories of Peter's existence.
Now, Strange will take on a whole new universe of trouble as he advances his sorcery skills, which is already confirmed to pit him with challenges he's never seen before.
The film's first synopsis teased Strange's status as a central figure amongst the Avengers while also showing that he's more ambitious than ever with magic. Of course, he's been the key figure in both of the movie's first two trailers, with plenty of footage giving a taste of where his journey will go.
While the MCU's core Doctor Strange will be the center of attention in his solo sequel, he won't be alone. In fact, he won't even be the only Doctor Strange that fans will meet in this adventure.
Defender Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch)
Status: Confirmed
"The Multiverse is a concept about which we know frighteningly little."
Once that Multiversal door is opened again in this new sequel, Stephen Strange will find out just how powerful and important he is in more than just his world. After freaking out at the sight of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's Spider-Men next to Tom Holland's MCU hero, he'll come face-to-face with different versions of himself in his next solo movie.
One of those is known as Defender Strange, which has the opportunity to give an exciting twist to one of Marvel Studios' most powerful heroes.
This version of Strange is classically a part of Marvel's Defenders team in the comics, having boasted partnerships with iconic characters like the Hulk and Valkyrie. Although the ponytail hairstyle he rocks is likely just to help differentiate him from the movie's titular hero, his outfit is almost identical to the one he wore while fighting alongside the Defenders.
The most recent spot from Super Bowl LVI confirmed this version of Strange will be a part of the plot after he was teased for a split second in the first trailer from December. He's also been rumored to come from the same universe as America Chavez, one of the film's other core protagonists, although exact plot specifics are still being kept under wraps.
More information on the second version of Doctor Strange will likely come in pieces over the next few weeks, although there's a third magician that will help lead the other side of the fight.
Sinister Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch)
Status: Confirmed
"Things just got out of hand."
Completing the trio of Doctor Stranges is the recently named Sinister Strange, who made his creepy debut at the end of the sequel's first trailer.
Dressed in darker robes and sporting a more disheveled look than either of his counterparts, Sinister Strange started plenty of conversations when he first came to life. Benedict Cumberbatch's third character in this film became one of the first wild entries to be officially confirmed.
Part of what started so many discussions about him in Multiverse of Madness was the idea that this new Variant could be the same Doctor Strange Supreme seen in What If...?. However, this was debunked with the Super Bowl trailer's captions.
Sinister Strange is one that seems to be taking a much darker turn even than the MCU's animated sorcerer, who did everything he did almost purely out of grief.
No matter how his story is fleshed out, Sinister Strange is here in full force and ready to cause his own round of mayhem. And somehow, he's not the last Strange, as yet another version of the sorcerer made his way into the public eye shortly after this trio.
Supreme Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch)
Status: Confirmed
In a universe that had only featured one Doctor Strange since his 2016 debut, the character's solo sequel is pulling out all the stops. The movie is now confirmed to bring a fourth good doctor into the mix.
While not much is known about him, a leaked Funko Pop! image teased the inclusion of another Doctor Strange Variant called "Supreme Strange." This take on Cumberbatch's hero sports lighter-colored blue robes than any of his contemporaries and is completely clean-shaven, which should help distinguish him from the ponytailed Defender Strange and the shaggy-looking Sinister Strange.
This appears to be the version of Strange that was depicted in a massive statue in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum, which the prime Strange was seen briefly admiring in footage from the Super Bowl trailer.
Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen)
Status: Confirmed
"I made mistakes, and people were hurt."
After nearly three years away from the big screen, Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch is here for her first Phase 4 theatrical movie.
Wanda Maximoff has had quite the journey since being snapped back into existence in Avengers: Endgame, as seen in her nine episodes of WandaVision on Disney+. That series ended with the heroine embracing her Scarlet Witch persona, and in the first trailer for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, she was confirmed to play as big of a role as anybody.
The trailers have teased that Wanda will come into play due to Doctor Strange looking for her help with his new venture into the Multiverse. Now that Wanda is more powerful than ever, even seemingly allowing some dark magic from the Darkhold to take hold of her as seen in the shot of her floating in the air with blackened fingers and dark changes to her outfit.
Every bit of footage has shown just how pivotal of a role Wanda will have in this movie - all that remains to be seen is the specifics. However, as was the case with her co-starring sorcerer, there appears to be more than one Wanda that will make an impact on the plot.
Variant Wanda? (Elizabeth Olsen)
Marvel
Status: Confirmed
Elizabeth Olsen's longtime heroine wasn't the only Scarlet Witch to come on screen, as one fateful moment in Westview, New Jersey confirmed the existence of a Wanda Variant!
Only seen in a few seconds of footage, one version of Wanda was seen on her knees in her full Scarlet Witch outfit in tears as another version of herself looked down seemingly in anger. This Variant was dressed in a much more casual outfit and had bruises on her face, which could come from an upcoming battle between the two Scarlet Witches in their family home.
How this Wanda Variant comes into play and why she's a part of the story is very much unknown, especially since she's seen less than five seconds of screen time in the trailers thus far. In fact, this is the only scene that confirmed that the movie will feature Wanda Variants at all with the tie back to WandaVision.
Regardless, two Scarlet Witches can only mean that some wild magic is set to make its mark on this new story. The world and the Multiverse will be on high alert no matter which Wanda flies into action.
Wong (Benedict Wong)
Marvel
Status: Confirmed
Benedict Wong's Wong is one of the most important supporting players for Doctor Strange in the comics and on the big screen. It would be a crime if the master of magic didn't come back for more action in a second Doctor Strange solo movie.
Wong has actually been a bigger part of Phase 4 thus far than almost anybody in Multiverse of Madness with one scene in Spider-Man: No Way Home and his semi-cameo in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The Spider-Man threequel even confirmed that he now has the title of Sorcerer Supreme after Strange blipped in Avengers: Infinity War, leaving him in charge of Kamar Taj and the training of all sorcerers.
Wong has appeared in every trailer and TV spot thus far, set to advise and protect Doctor Strange in his upcoming journey through the Multiverse. Not wanting anything to do with Strange's spell to help fix Peter Parker's life at the end of 2021, he'll absolutely have to be more involved this time around.
Fans haven't seen Wong cast much magic yet, but that Sorcerer Supreme title will have to be put to good use sooner rather than later.
America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez)
Marvel
Status: Confirmed
The biggest newcomer in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will be Xochitl Gomez's America Chavez, who was teased as early as Summer 2020. Gomez was cast in March 2021, and she's even seen a few seconds of action in the promotional material that confirms her impact on the story.
Coming in with incredible Multiversal abilities and the potential to lead the MCU's next wave of Young Avengers, America Chavez will help introduce Doctor Strange and Wanda to what she knows about the Multiverse. She's able to travel through multiple dimensions, and she's already been teased to have a relationship with the movie's core villains.
Gomez's heroine hasn't had any dialogue yet, but considering how often she's been discussed in talks about the movie, she's someone who can't be ignored. With plenty of Young Avengers already having debuted in Disney+ shows and movies alike, America Chavez should be just at the start of her exciting MCU tenure.
Gargantos
Marvel
Status: Confirmed
Aside from the powerful humans that will drive the story forward in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, interdimensional monsters will make their MCU debut as well. The biggest of these comes with Gargantos, the one-eyed, green, slimy, tentacled alien who has been seen in every piece of promo material released to date.
The character was originally thought to be the villainous Shuma-Gorath, although legal issues didn't allow Marvel Studios to bring that specific entity onto the big screen. Now, Marvel is putting forth a different Multiversal monster in Gargantos, one who is already confirmed to cause some serious damage to an undisclosed city in his Marvel Studios debut.
Rumors are indicating that Gargantos is hunting America Chavez in order to steal her powers and gain full control of the Multiverse, although he's only been seen on-screen for a few seconds. He's had no lines and no specific backstory has been revealed for his character so far, but considering how powerful he's said to be, it's clear that there is plenty more to learn about his inclusion in the film.
It's looking likely that Gargantos will be the main villain of Multiverse of Madness, although that could easily change once the film debuts in full. No matter how the details pan out, this gargantuan creature won't be something easy for Doctor Strange and company to take down.
Rintrah
Marvel
Status: Confirmed
Marvel isn't just getting a giant tentacled alien in the Doctor Strange sequel. The heroes' side of the fight also gets their own powerful being in a Minotaur known as Rintrah!
In the comics, the green and furry creature debuted in 1986 as a mystical being from the planet R'Vaal before going on numerous adventures with Doctor Strange. After being teased in various pieces of promo material, Rintrah made his first MCU appearance in the second trailer for Marvel Studios' first movie of 2022.
Thus far, Rintrah's only seen a couple of seconds of footage thus far, including a shot of his horse-like face from a distance away. Fans are looking forward to seeing more of the mystical creature in action, whether it be with his physical skills or his abilities with the mystic arts.
How the Minotaur comes into this story alongside Strange and the sorcerers at Kamar Taj is anybody's guess, as is the extent of how big his role will be. Regardless, there's no denying that Rintrah will be there to unleash his full powers in his MCU debut.
Master Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor)
Marvel
Status: Confirmed
Chiwetel Ejiofor made his mark on 2016's Doctor Strange as his Baron Mordo helped the titular hero progress toward becoming a sorcerer, all before leaving Kamar Taj on his own quest to become even more powerful. While Ejiofor will still be playing Mordo in the solo sequel, it will seemingly be a different version of the powerful magician this time around.
This one is known as Master Mordo, who many are speculating to be a Variant that serves as the Sorcerer Supreme of his world. This version of Mordo boasts a more extravagant green costume along with top-notch black dreadlocks flowing from his head, and he also appears to have even more power than prime Mordo from the first movie.
In the trailers, this Mordo is seen in a fistfight with Doctor Strange, although his presence will go far beyond just that. He's also heard telling Strange "Your desecration of reality will not go unpunished."
Right now, it's unclear if the same Mordo from Doctor Strange will make an appearance in this movie alongside Master Mordo, with the former still likely after Strange for "violating the natural law." But even with that mystery, Master Mordo will add yet another new dimension of storytelling to this adventure, particularly with the Illuminati's rumored involvement.
Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams)
Marvel
Status: Confirmed
While she isn't exactly a love interest, Rachel McAdams' Christine Palmer did play a key role in helping Stephen Strange find himself as a man outside his magical journey. Although there are plenty of other powerful players coming into play, it would be almost a crime not to have her return for her second MCU appearance after first debuting in 2016's Doctor Strange.
When audiences last saw Christine, she put in her best effort to save the Ancient One before the former Sorcerer Supreme met her end. Christine sent Doctor Strange off on his mission to defeat Kaecillius and Dormammu in Hong Kong and the Dark Dimension, although she's been completely missing from Strange's stories for more than five years.
After her inclusion in the cast at Disney Investor Day 2020, the first trailer for Multiverse of Madness confirmed that Christine will indeed be back for more of the magic and craziness. However, as is the case with many other characters, the big question is exactly how many Christine Palmers there will be in this film.
Most of her footage thus far has been from her wedding, showing the leading lady in a white gown as she walks down the aisle and then runs outside to see what's happening to her world. This seems most likely to be prime Christine, but there's a version of McAdams' MCU doctor that could be someone completely different as well.
A quick shot from the Super Bowl TV spot showed a more casually-dressed Christine is seen in what appears to be the Illuminati's headquarters as Ultron Bots run beside her. At this time, it's unclear if these Christines are one and the same or if the one in the lab is a new Variant coming into play.
Regardless, Christine will be back for Round 2 in the MCU as she sees just how expansive the Multiverse truly is.
Nicodemus West (Michael Stuhlbarg)
Marvel
Status: Confirmed
Another one of Strange's co-workers will be back for the Doctor Strange sequel as Michael Stuhlbarg reprises his role as Dr. Nicodemus West.
Fans saw him involved in a workplace rivalry with Strange, although he only appeared in a couple of scenes in total. Things ended with West trying to help Strange and Christine Palmer in the emergency room to save the Ancient One's life, although it's a mystery where his story will go after that.
Stuhlbarg's character was seen for a split second in the first trailer next to the good doctor at Christine Palmer's wedding, bearing a huge grin on his face. He was also confirmed as part of the cast in one of the film's official synopsizes, but there's no telling how big his role will be in the overarching plot.
However big that role is, Dr. West will be back in action, ticking watch and all.
Ultron Drones
Marvel
Status: Confirmed
In October 2021, The Direct exclusively revealed that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness would feature the return of Ultron sentries, which were rumored to come from a different universe. While their specific role is still somewhat unknown, the Super Bowl promotional material showed these robots making their glorious return after debuting in 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron.
The TV spot had one of these robots running beside Christine Palmer in the Illuminerdi's headquarters while the full new trailer showed them escorting Stephen Strange to what will likely be a hearing in front of the Illuminati. These drones seem to have gotten an upgrade in their design, which now looks much more sleek and refined compared to the look from seven years ago.
How long these drones are in the movie and what they will be doing specifically is still yet to be revealed. However, Ultron's sentry robots will be back in action for the first time since Phase 2 of the MCU in this massive sequel.
Sara
Funko Pop!
While no actress is confirmed for this role, another leaked Funko Pop! confirmed the appearance of a character named Sara. Based on her blue sorcerer's robes, Sara is likely a magical newcomer training at Kamar Taj alongside Strange, Wong, Rintrah, and more as the sequel is getting started.
One option for who this character could actually be is Sara Wofle, who briefly held the title of Wong's girlfriend in different runs of the comics. Other theories have pointed to this potentially being Sara Krowler, better known as both Baroness Mordo and Baron Mordo's mother, which could bring quite an interesting twist to this story.
Professor X (Patrick Stewart)
Marvel
Status: Semi-Confirmed
"We should tell him the truth."
The real madness behind this Multiversal outing now comes with the rumored inclusion of Patrick Stewart's Professor Charles Xavier.
Having played the role for 17 years with 20th Century Fox, rumors began teasing Stewart's jump to the MCU at the end of 2021. While he still isn't officially confirmed to be a part of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the signs are all pointing in that direction.
Although Stewart denied it being the case, fans are convinced that his voice was the one that told Doctor Strange "we should tell him the truth" as the shot panned to an undisclosed person. With rumors of Marvel's Illuminati coming into play, Professor X would be a prime candidate to lead that Multiversal team considering his incredible power and intelligence.
Although Marvel is doing its best to keep Stewart's MCU debut as secretive as possible, the studio still seemingly included him in an official trailer three months ahead of his return. This will make for one of the biggest moments not only in Multiverse of Madness but in the MCU's history as a whole.
Captain Carter (Hayley Atwell)
Marvel
Status: Semi-Confirmed
Hayley Atwell is one of the MCU's longest-standing supporting players, having last appeared via voiceover in 2021's What If...? as the Multiversal Variant Captain Carter. In her universe, she was the one to receive the Super Soldier Serum in Project Rebirth before leading the Guardians of the Multiverse into battle against Infinity Ultron.
Now, a small glimpse of her shield on the Doctor Strange 2 poster may be teasing a transition to live-action for Atwell's new take on Peggy Carter.
Rumors had pointed to this being the case in July 2022, teasing that Atwell would play a small role as Captain Carter in the Multiversal sequel. With her shield showing up on the movie's poster, there's no way to ignore it as a real possibility.
Due to such a vast number of universes being explored in this movie, even one that may be animated, it wouldn't be too big of a shock relatively to see Atwell's Captain Carter make the transition to live-action stories. How she plays into the plot is still unknown, but there seems to be a real chance that she'll be there for the action.
Captain Marvel (Lashana Lynch)
Marvel
Status: Semi-Confirmed
Captain Marvel's status is rising in a big way in Phase 4, with Brie Larson's character already having appeared in the mid-credits scene from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. However, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness may be teasing the existence of another Captain Marvel that isn't Carol Danvers.
Who could that Variant be? None other than Lashana Lynch's Maria Rambeau.
The sequel's second trailer showed a version of Captain Marvel that appeared to have Lynch's face under the glowing white eyes as Captain Marvel flew into action. This confirms that a version of the heroine will make an appearance in the movie, especially as fans saw her fly headfirst toward Wanda Maximoff in what appeared to be the Illuminati's headquarters.
With Carol Danvers becoming more of a key player as Captain Marvel and Monica Rambeau exploring her full potential as Spectrum, it appears that Lashana Lynch now has her time to shine as a hero. Nothing will be confirmed until the film releases, but this new version of Captain Marvel could make a major impact on the Multiverse.
Bruce Campbell's Undisclosed Character
Marvel
Status: Semi-Confirmed
Sam Raimi has turned many of his filmmaking decisions into regular moves over the years, including his partnership with longtime actor Bruce Campbell.
Campbell has a history in the Marvel world with roles in all three of Raimi's Spider-Man films from 2002 to 2007. He was even rumored to play Raimi's version of Mysterio in the unmade Spider-Man 4 after playing a wrestling announcer, a theater usher, and a maitre d' in his first three superhero outings.
Campbell is an interesting addition to this list, as he's already confirmed that he will have a role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. What isn't known yet is who exactly he will be playing in this wild adventure.
Will he finally get the chance to bring a different version of Mysterio to life? Will it be another classic Marvel character? Will it simply be a background player in the middle of the action?
That will all come to light when Campbell actually appears on-screen.
Loki (Tom Hiddleston)
Marvel
Status: Rumored
Tom Hiddleston is in an interesting situation in regard to his potential appearance as Loki in Multiverse of Madness.
Immediately after the sixth episode of Loki aired on Disney+, Hiddleston was said to have joined the cast of Benedict Cumberbatch's solo Doctor Strange sequel. However, neither Hiddleston nor anybody involved with either project has spoken about Loki being a part of the plot at all.
Although Hiddleston's appearance was reported by The Hollywood Reporter, one of the most reliable sources in the business, Loki hasn't been a part of any promotional material on-screen or in merchandise. It's unclear how big his role will be in the sequel, or how he enters the fray, but after opening the Multiverse in his own solo series, he'll have to put his best efforts in to fix everything in front of him.
Mobius (Owen Wilson)
Marvel
Status: Rumored
Loki built up a relationship with both Owen Wilson's Mobius and Sophia Di Martino's Sylvie through his six-episode series, although there was no confirmation for where and when they would continue. Rumors pointed to them following the God of Mischief into Doctor Strange 2, but just like Hiddleston, no other reports have discussed their place in the story.
Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino)
Marvel
Status: Rumored
Fans last saw Mobius in a bit of a frenzy at the TVA headquarters after the Multiverse broke while Sylvie remained at the Citadel at the End of Time after killing He Who Remains. There is certainly a path for them to traverse the Multiverse and reunite with Loki as everything descends into madness, but that will remain a secret likely until the film debuts.
Billy & Tommy Maximoff (Julian Hilliard & Jett Klyne)
Marvel
Status: Rumored
WandaVision allowed the titular Wanda Maximoff to have a life with her family, which included classic young Avengers Billy & Tommy Maximoff. Her twin sons, also known by their superhero monikers of Wiccan and Speed, were lost when Wanda's Hex faded from reality, but there's still a path for them to rejoin the fray in Doctor Strange 2.
Reports revealed that Marvel took a couple of days to film a scene featuring Billy and Tommy set on some sort of country farm. How this ties into the movie is anybody's guess, but it wouldn't come as too big of a shock to see Wanda's twin sons come back for their second MCU project.
The Scarlet Witch is trying to do anything she can to get her family back, the first teases of which are seen as she hears her sons' voices in her head while she floats in the air. Although they won't be confirmed as part of the cast for a while, their return is firmly on the list of possibilities.
Mr. Fantastic (John Krasinski)
Marvel
Status: Rumored
There are no signs pointing to when Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four will go into production or release, but rumors are pointing to Doctor Strange 2 bringing in the first member. One of the numerous cameos rumored to come into this movie is the group's leader, Reed Richards, who is said to be played by fan-favorite John Krasinski.
The man behind Jim Halpert in The Office has been one of the most popular fan-casts for the MCU's version of Dr. Richards, and whether he plays the core MCU version or not, he may have the opportunity to break the mold for Marvel Studios.
How much screen time is in store for Krasinski? There's no way to tell for sure. But should he make his MCU debut, it will undoubtedly be a headlining moment from this sequel.
Black Bolt (Anson Mount)
Marvel
Status: Rumored
One of Marvel's most maligned properties is the Inhumans TV show, which only ran for one eight-episode season on ABC in 2017. The Inhumans have haven't been explored in the larger MCU, but the group's leader, Black Bolt, is part of rumors for one of Doctor Strange 2's major cameo appearances.
Anson Mount brought the immensely powerful Inhuman king to life in the ABC series, boasting a voice that kills and destroys anything in range.
It's unclear if there are any official plans to introduce the Inhumans officially, although rumors are pointing to this being the case in Ms. Marvel. Should Black Bolt appear in Doctor Strange 2, it would open the door for these unique super-powered beings to join a growing Multiverse's worth of heroes.
Clea (Charlize Theron)
Marvel
Status: Rumored
Another powerful sorcerer in Marvel's catalog is Clea, who has long been rumored for a potential role in the MCU. With ties to the Dark Dimension and a history with Dormammu, the magic-wielder has now come up again in talks about Doctor Strange 2, this time with Charlize Theron potentially attached to the role.
Theron has been connected to the MCU on multiple occasions, although she's indicated that Marvel's never asked her to take on a role before. Having her play Clea would tie in fairly easily with her history alongside strange in the comics, and even if she doesn't play a big role in this movie, a cameo could set the stage for a bigger role in the future.
Balder the Brave
Marvel
Status: Rumored
While no actor is attached to the next rumor, it teases the potential inclusion of a famous Asgardian named Balder the Brave.
The character is known as Thor's half-brother and an ally of the Warriors Three in the comics, having served as one of Asgard's greatest warriors over the years. How he actually joins the story in Multiverse of Madness is a whole other mystery, particularly with no other Asgardians rumored to be joining the plot otherwise.
Balder is rumored to be from another universe in this movie, although this wouldn't be Doctor Strange's first interaction with an Asgardian after his time with Thor and Loki in Thor: Ragnarok. The longtime comic hero will most likely remain under the radar officially for the time being, although his introduction in Doctor Strange 2 could bring a new level of thrills, especially with Thor: Love and Thunder debuting in July.
Magneto
Marvel
Status: Rumored
Where there's a Professor X, there's often a Magneto. And in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Erik Lehnsherr may not be far behind his old friend, Charles Xavier.
Along with rumors featuring everyone from Inhumans to Asgardians, this sequel may bring in a version of the classic X-Men antagonist for a short moment on screen. Whether it's Sir Ian McKellan from the original Fox trilogy, Michael Fassbender from the 2010s, or a completely new actor is unknown at the moment, but Doctor Strange should certainly be on the lookout for any fast-moving metal.
Another mystery is whether Magneto will interact with Patrick Stewart's Professor X, which would bring the entire Marvel universe full circle with those two driving the original X-Men trilogy. Should this come to play, generations of superhero movie fans would be in for the event of a lifetime.
Iron Man Variant (Tom Cruise)
Marvel
Status: Rumored
In the canon MCU, Tony Stark hasn't been seen since 2019's Avengers: Endgame, but his influence remains strong throughout Phase 4. It seems fitting that there are rumors about a new Tony Variant coming into this movie, one that's played by legendary action star Tom Cruise!
The man behind Mission: Impossible has a history with the role, as he was actually in the running to play Iron Man in 2008 before Downey took it. While Cruise's potential role in Doctor Strange 2 is still a mystery, there are a couple of key pieces of evidence that lead to him being there for the fight.
The Super Bowl TV spot for Multiverse of Madness showed what appeared to be a version of Iron Man, which fans are already theorizing to be the evil Superior Iron Man. Additionally, an alleged leaked screening of the movie teases that Cruise is in fact on screen playing the role.
This rumor won't be substantiated until early May, but it's one that has fans talking nonetheless.
Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds)
Marvel
Status: Rumored
Whenever Deadpool inevitably comes into the MCU, he'll unquestionably be played by Ryan Reynolds. When that happens is anybody's guess, but the Merc With a Mouth finds himself in the middle of rumors pointing toward an MCU debut in Doctor Strange 2.
Looking at the sequel's first official poster, fans believed they saw a hint of Wade Wilson in one of the broken shards of glass surrounding Doctor Strange.
Now, Reynolds has denied the rumor by telling the world flat out that he isn't in Doctor Strange 2. This same sentiment came through shortly after Reynolds' denial, as movie insider John Campea shared information that made him supremely confident about Deadpool not being in the movie.
This will be another wait-and-see situation, although it may not be one of the more likely ones. But, as Reynolds said, everybody involved could be lying.
Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire)
Marvel
After more than a year of silence on the matter, Tobey Maguire caused cheers all over the world when he returned as Peter Parker in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Since then, he's spoken about just how special it was for him to reprise his iconic superhero role, and there's even a chance that he'll be back in the red-and-blue spandex sooner than anyone expected.
Rumors hinted that Maguire would, in fact, be back with Marvel Studios in some capacity for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The rumor didn't tease the extent of his role or how he would play into the plot, but the chance that Strange may interact with a web-slinger again seems only fitting after he did it in the biggest movie of last year.
Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield)
Marvel
With the tease that Peter 2 may be in for Round 2 in the MCU, the same can also be said for Peter 3.
Following his long-awaited MCU debut as the Amazing Spider-Man in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Andrew Garfield may be in line for another chance to play the web-slinger in Doctor Strange's solo sequel. The rumors for his return haven't been quite as public as those for Maguire, but he does remain in the discussion.
Should he return, it likely won't be in quite as big of a role as he played in No Way Home, where he and Maguire drove the third act home alongside Tom Holland. Even so, seeing him at all would bring plenty of excitement for the Spidey fandom.
Wolverine
Marvel
Status: Rumored
Professor X and Magneto are one thing when it comes to the X-Men finally arriving in the MCU. Throw a potential Wolverine into that mix, and it could be cause for even more mayhem in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
According to a rumor from Joe Deckelmeier of The Illuminerdi, the magical sequel will feature a version of James Logan that isn't played by Hugh Jackman. Whether this is the MCU's core take on the clawed mutant or if it's just a Multiversal Variant is a mystery. But the opportunity is there for arguably the X-Men's most famous hero to charge into the fray.
As is the case with other characters, there are no signs pointing to how big Wolverine's role will be. Even so, he'll add another layer of anticipation to the faction of X-Men possibly making their MCU debut this year.
Which Marvel Characters Will Appear in Doctor Strange 2?
Marvel
With two months remaining until Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness debuts, Marvel will be tight-lipped on revealing any truth to rumors about the characters included in this list. Fans won't stop talking until that time, but these rumors will only remain rumors until the appropriate time.
Now, the fandom approaches the home stretch for this sequel's promotional tour with it being the next theatrical release on Marvel's massive slate. More than a dozen characters are undoubtedly appearing in the new movie while nearly another two dozen are in discussions - safe to say, Marvel Studios has yet another event on its hands.
