Ryan Reynolds is said to have a trio of major X-Men names in mind for a potential Deadpool 4. Reynolds finally joined the MCU in 2024, starring in Deadpool & Wolverine, which became one of Marvel Studios' biggest hits and the most successful R-rated movie in history. While his next appearance in the franchise has not been set in stone, rumors and reports hint at where things could go.
According to insider Daniel Richtman, three major X-Men are reportedly on Ryan Reynolds' radar for roles in Marvel Studios' Deadpool 4. These characters would supposedly be included in a Deadpool "team-up film" that Reynolds is working on, which may reduce the Merc With a Mouth to a "supporting" role.
First up is Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, whose inclusion in this listing is no surprise, as he earned rave reviews for his return as James "Logan" Howlett in Deadpool & Wolverine. Rumors indicate that Marvel was looking to bring Jackman back for a potential fourth Deadpool movie, but he is not attached to return to the role in any future MCU movies, as of writing.
Marvel Studios appears eager to cement Reynolds' Deadpool and Jackman's Wolverine as a recurring duo in the MCU, as they are rumored to reunite on screen this December in Avengers: Doomsday, possibly before taking on larger roles in next year's Secret Wars, which could set up their Deadpool 4 antics.
The time-traveling son of Cyclops and Jean Grey, Nathan Summers, aka Cable, is the second name that should also bring plenty of excitement. The Merc With a Mouth faced off with a version of Cable played by Josh Brolin in Deadpool 2, although he was missing from Deadpool & Wolverine, as Wade Wilson jested that he and the rest of X-Force "didn't test well in the focus group."
Brolin gained worldwide acclaim for playing two vastly different Marvel roles in back-to-back years: Thanos in the MCU's Infinity Saga and Cable in Deadpool 2. It's unclear whether Brolin would reprise Cable for a potential Deadpool 4 return or if he would be recast for a new Marvel Studios Variant.
Lastly, the report also names the Omega-level weather-controlling mutant Storm, who was famously played by Halle Berry four times, across the original X-Men trilogy and 2014's X-Men: Days of Future Past. Having seemingly been omitted from Avengers: Doomsday's returning Fox X-Men roster, even Thor actor Chris Hemsworth is hoping to see Berry back as Storm in Secret Wars.
However, Richtman offers no indication of whether Berry would reprise Storm in Reynolds' Deadpool 4 plans, or if this would be the youthful MCU Variant who Marvel Studios will likely be casting for its upcoming X-Men reboot movie.
Deadpool 4 is not confirmed for development, but Ryan Reynolds' tenure in the MCU is not expected to end anytime soon. Additionally, future Deadpool movies could bring back a handful of supporting characters who played big roles in the first three movies.
Other Deadpool Characters Who Could Return in Deadpool 4
X-23
After making her Marvel debut in Logan as Laura/X-23, Dafne Keen returned to the role seven years later for a key supporting role in Deadpool & Wolverine. Having grown into a young adult and still boasting her powerful adamantium claws and rage, Laura was an even more powerful fighter against Cassandra Nova's powerful villains in The Void.
Many hope to see her become the main Wolverine in the MCU when the mutants are introduced, but she is also on the list of hopefuls to show up again in Deadpool 4. This could explore her close relationship with Wolverine while further building the one she has with Deadpool, delving into her continued evolution as a hero.
Colossus
Stefan Kapicic played an important supporting role in the first two Deadpool movies as the massive mutant Colossus, known for his organic steel skin and leadership. While he returned to play the character in Deadpool & Wolverine, he was limited to a single scene and had only two lines of dialogue.
Deadpool and Colossus built a close, if unusual, friendship in the first two Deadpool movies, which many would want to see rekindled in a fourth solo Deadpool outing. This new movie could send the two off on a new quest together alongside Wolverine, while focusing more on Colossus' growth and adjustment to his unkillable friend after he saved their world.
Negasonic Teenage Warhead
Similar to Kapicic's Colossus, Brianna Hildebrand had a standout role in the first two Deadpool movies as Negasonic Teenage Warhead. Known for her unrelenting snark, Hildebrand's hero also boasts powerful abilities that allow her to generate explosive kinetic energy, which she can use to blast enemies and objects and propel herself through the air.
Similar to Colossus, Negasonic Teenage Warhead had only a glorified cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine, appearing only at Wade Wilson's birthday party. Deadpool 4 could explore her growth into an adult hero, showing how she may mature as a leader and giving her a chance to jump back into action against whatever antagonist Wade and co. face.
Yukio
Shioli Kutsuna made her Marvel debut in 2018's Deadpool 2, playing the adorable yet powerful heroine Yukio, a different version of the character who was seen in 2013's The Wolverine (played by Rila Fukushima). Kutsuna's Yukio was introduced as Negasonic Teenage Warhead's girlfriend and had a few scenes in the movie, including one in which she helped take down Juggernaut with her ability to generate and control electricity.
After only appearing at Deadpool's birthday party in Deadpool 3, many hope to see her more fully utilized if she is included in Deadpool 4. This movie could benefit from giving Yukio more character development beyond her relationship with Negasonic Teenage Warhead, as well as letting her showcase her mutant abilities further (especially alongside other legacy or newly introduced MCU mutants).
Shatterstar
Lewis Tan joined the Marvel universe in Deadpool 2 as Shatterstar, though he went by Rusty upon his introduction. Boasting a pair of swords and alien physiology, he told Deadpool and Weasel (T.J. Miller) that he was "basically better than you at everything" when describing his powers.
Shatterstar was relegated to only showing up during Wade's birthday party in Deadpool 3, although he was brought back to life after his brutal death by helicopter in Deadpool 2. Should Deadpool 4 bring another version of X-Force or a different team, Tan could have a chance to more fully explore his character's comic origins and prove to be a powerful fighter alongside Wade and the rest of the group.
Gambit
Channing Tatum made his long-awaited Marvel debut as Remy LeBeau/Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine. Using his ability to charge inanimate objects (usually playing cards) with explosive kinetic energy, he played a major role in the Resistance and helped Wade and Logan return to their universe.
While Tatum is confirmed to return in Avengers: Doomsday, Deadpool 4 could also give him a role if he wants to continue in the MCU. After a deleted scene from the last movie teased him finding a way to escape The Void, he could join Deadpool's team alongside Colossus, Shatterstar, Negasonic Teenage Warhead, and others, exploring a new world and becoming an established hero.
Richard Nebens joined The Direct in March 2020, now serving as the site's Senior Writer. He started his journalism career as a hobby in 2019 and is passionate about sharing news and stories from the entertainment industry, especially comic book movies, comedy, and sci-fi. Richard looks to expand his knowledge about movies and TV every day, and he is eager to stay locked into the latest releases and breaking news at every opportunity.
