Spoiler alert! This article contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine.
Summary
Though many are lamenting that Wolverine’s perfect ending inLoganhas been undermined byDeadpool & Wolverine, the movie also jeopardized another notableMCUlegacy, from an even more important movie.Deadpool & Wolverinesaw Hugh Jackman return to the screen as Wolverine after bidding farewell to the role years prior. The subsequent announcement that Robert Downey Jr. will return tothe MCU timelineto portray Doctor Doom has suggested that another character’s perfect goodbye might be undone inthe MCU’s future.
Deadpool & Wolverinefeatured a swathe of cameosfrom the early years of Marvel movies. Many of these were primarily thrilling fan service, bringing back forgotten characters and displaying many in comic-accurate guises for the first time. Following news thatRobert Downey Jr. will play the MCU’s Doctor Doom, one of these cameos has been reconsidered, and risks ruining another legendary Avenger’s poignant conclusion.
Every Wolverine Variant In Deadpool & Wolverine Explained
Several Wolverine variants pop up in Deadpool & Wolverine, celebrating the character’s history both on-screen and in the pages of Marvel Comics.
Chris Evans' Deadpool & Wolverine Return Cheapens His Avengers: Endgame Ending
Evans' Captain America Retired In Avengers: Endgame
Chris Evans' cameo appearance as theHuman Torch in 2024’sDeadpool & Wolverinewas both satisfying and concerning. Having hung up his shield as Captain America inAvengers: Endgame,Evans returned to the MCU to reprise his role as Johnny Storm from Fox’sFantastic Four(2005). While thrilling, this does undermine his perfect MCU ending somewhat, in which Steve Rogers chooses to remain in the past and live out his life with Peggy Carter. This poignant endingallowed him to experience the happiness he had long been deniedand was the ideal way to end Evans' tenure.
Deadpool & Wolverine: 100 Marvel Easter Eggs & References Explained
Deadpool & Wolverine quite literally has over 100 different Easter eggs, references, and cameos galore. Here are all the ones we found.
Chris Evans’ cameo inDeadpool & Wolverineplayed on the expectation that Evans would reprise his role as Captain America. This subversion of expectations certainly made for a great reveal, but it also undermined the emotional weight of hisEndgamefarewell. By reintroducing Evans in a different Marvel role, the MCUrisks diluting the significance of his departure as Steve Rogers, cheapening the impact of his character’s perfect ending.
Evans' and Robert Downey Jr.’s departure inEndgamewere significant moments thatseemingly signaled the end of an era within the MCU, drawing a dividing line between The Infinity Saga’s character line-up and The Multiverse Saga’s. However, following Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Dr. Doom, Evans' cameo inDeadpool & Wolverineis being reconsidered as a possible indicator that Evans could also return. Regardless, it opened the door to questions about the permanence of character endings in the MCU.
10 Fake Leaks From Deadpool & Wolverine That Completely Threw Off Expectations
Deadpool & Wolverine was subject to some notorious leaks and rumors, but it turns out that some of these were faked by the filmmakers themselves.
Why No Marvel Character Endings Are Safe In The MCU
Death is never a permanent phenomenon in Marvel Comics, with many famous examples of characters dying and returning, often even more than once. This has led to the phrase,“no one stays dead except Uncle Ben,“referencing Peter Parker’s uncle, whose death propels him to become Spider-Man.Unless intrinsic to a character’s origin story, death in Marvel Comics is normally temporary.
This is increasingly evident in the MCU, where character deaths and resurrections are becoming more commonplace.Avengers: Infinity Warsaw half the universe be wiped out, only to return inAvengers: Endgame.Meanwhile, otherdeceased MCU characters have appearedat earlier stages in the MCU timeline. This has all beencomplicated much further since the Multiverse was introduced.
With alternate realities and timelines, the potential for character comebacks is virtually limitless. This opens up exciting possibilities but also poses a significant risk:the erosion of narrative stakes. If any character can return at any time, the emotional impact of their departure is diminished. This has been a frequent criticism of Robert Downey Jr.’s MCU return.
RDJ’s Doctor Doom Return Will Be The Ultimate Test
RDJ Has Been Cast As The MCU’s Doctor Doom
Robert Downey Jr. was the face of the MCU as Iron Man, and his death inAvengers: Endgamewas arguably the most significant moment in the franchise’s history. Tony Stark’s sacrifice brought his character arc full circle,providing a powerful and emotional resolution that resonated deeplywith audiences. Bringing Downey back as Doctor Doom, or any other character, would be the ultimate test of the MCU’s ability to navigate the complexities of character continuity and fan expectations.
Deadpool & Wolverine Ending Explained
Deadpool & Wolverine’s ending is filled with multiversal stakes, insane cameos, and big teases for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The MCU will need to reintroduce Downey as Doctor Doom without undermining Tony Stark’s heroic sacrifice inEndgame. While it’s unclear what relationship the MCU’s Doom will have with RDJ’s Tony Stark, the resemblance will presumably need to be addressed. How successfully the MCU does this will likely decide on further reintroductions.
If successful, it will demonstrate a sufficient handling of character legacy and narrative innovation. If it fails to resonate or feels forced, theMCU may make another change in direction. Regardless, Downey’s casting as Doom and the return of Jackman and Evans inDeadpool & Wolverinedoes suggest that death isn’t the end in the MCU.
Deadpool & Wolverine
Cast
A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
