Deadpool will be back on the big screen, it is just a matter of when. The renowned Marvel character was a part of the monster acquisition of Fox by Disney back in 2019. The Merc with a Mouth comes to Marvel Studios alongside his formerly Fox-owned brethren in the X-Men and the Fantastic Four. While conversations regarding Deadpool 3 have happened, many wait for Wade Wilson to show up in the MCU.
There have been rumors of Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool showing up in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but that is merely speculation at this point.
Recently, the character made headlines as concept art surfaced featuring the anti-hero in Xu Xailing's Macau fight club from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. When the artwork surfaced, it was unknown if Deadpool was really planned for the 2021 blockbuster, but it did drive many into a flurry of speculation.
Well, the artist behind these images has come out to clear that air, and his confession may have some fans disappointed.
No Deadpool in Shang-Chi
According to Marvel Studios concept artist Andrew Kim, Deadpool was never planned to appear in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, despite what recently revealed concept art had some fans thinking.
The man behind the art admitted to Chatterbox Film "there was no involvement of Deadpool or Proxima in the early going." But when he was "designing the [Macau] fight club" his PD mentioned that during the scene "we could see other Marvel characters fighting in the ring."
This led the artist to drop Proxima Midnight and Deadpool into the ring because he thought their "dynamic fighting styles could be a perfect fit in the ring:"
“Well, long story short, sorry to disappoint you but there was no involvement of Deadpool or Proxima in the early going. When I was designing the fight club, my PD (production designer) mentioned to me that we could see other Marvel characters fighting in the ring when we first revealed the scene. Deadpool and Proxima was my idea to put in as I thought their dynamic fighting styles could be a perfect fit in the ring like that.(you know, they don’t fly…haha) And Deadpool’s red was a nice pop against the bluish background.”
Too Good to be True
Well, that settles it. It was nice for fans to speculate over the possible inclusion of Deadpool in Shang-Chi, but it was too good to be true. Kim confirms it here as the artist who brought this concept art to life.
He would know best! And his reasoning for using the character does make a lot of sense. The red of the Deadpool costume pops well in that arena, and both he and Proxima Midnight have that dynamic on-the-ground fighting style.
But...what if he isn't telling the truth? Or at least the whole truth? If he were lying about some secret plans for the character, it would not be the first time someone close to Marvel Studios has pulled such a thing.
Perhaps the character was planned to make his MCU debut and was pulled early in the process. If this is the way it went, then Kim could be covering his bases. It seems unlikely, but one never knows when dealing with the level of secrecy found at Marvel Studios.
Either way, he didn't show up in Shang-Chi and audiences wait patiently for the Merc with a Mouth to make his first MCU appearance.
