The Merc with a Mouth is trading solo missions for mutant mayhem! Ryan Reynolds, the mastermind behind the Deadpool franchise, is in the early stages of developing a new film that could see Deadpool teaming up with a squad of X-Men, according to an exclusive report from The Hollywood Reporter. While no pitch has been made to Marvel Studios yet, Reynolds is crafting multiple treatments for an ensemble movie featuring three or four iconic X-Men characters, with Deadpool potentially playing a supporting role to shake up the dynamics. This bold move, coming off the record-breaking success of Deadpool & Wolverine, has fans buzzing about what’s next for Wade Wilson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
A New Chapter for Deadpool
Deadpool & Wolverine, released in July 2024, grossed $1.338 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated movie ever and a lifeline for the MCU during a rocky Phase 5. The film, which paired Reynolds’ Deadpool with Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, featured X-Men characters like Colossus (Stefan Kapičić), Sabretooth (Tyler Mane), and Pyro (Aaron Stanford), alongside a breakout role for Channing Tatum as Gambit. Its multiversal chaos and irreverent humor proved Deadpool could thrive in the MCU, but Reynolds has been clear: another solo Deadpool flick isn’t in the cards. Instead, he’s eyeing a team-up that puts mutants front and center, with Wade Wilson as the foul-mouthed glue holding it together.
Reynolds’ vision, as reported by Collider, hinges on keeping Deadpool on the sidelines to let X-Men characters shine in “unexpected ways.” This approach aligns with his recent comments at the Time 100 Summit, where he emphasized Deadpool’s strength as an outsider: “If Deadpool becomes an Avenger or an X-Man, we’re at the end. That’s his wish fulfillment, and you can’t give him that.” By positioning Deadpool as a supporting player, Reynolds aims to explore fresh dynamics, potentially introducing new mutants or reimagining familiar ones from the Fox X-Men era.
Who’s Joining the Mutant Party?
While Reynolds hasn’t revealed which X-Men he’s eyeing, speculation is rampant. The Deadpool films have a history of pulling from the X-Men roster, with Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand) as staples. Deadpool & Wolverine brought back fan-favorites like Gambit, whose long-canceled solo film at Fox left fans clamoring for more. Tatum’s Gambit is already confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday, alongside X-Men veterans like Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), James Marsden (Cyclops), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), Kelsey Grammer (Beast), and Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), per MovieWeb. Could Reynolds tap this roster for his ensemble, or will he introduce new faces?
One name floating around is Storm, with Wicked star Cynthia Erivo openly lobbying for the role, as noted by The Beat. Erivo’s powerhouse presence could make her a standout, but casting decisions rest with Marvel Studios. Other possibilities include Jean Grey, whose Phoenix saga remains underexplored in the MCU, or a fresh take on Rogue, given her ties to Gambit. Fans on X have also suggested Dafne Keen’s X-23 or even Wesley Snipes’ Blade, both of whom appeared in Deadpool & Wolverine’s multiversal romp. With Reynolds’ knack for surprises, the lineup could be anyone from comic deep-cuts to reimagined classics.
Why a Team-Up Makes Sense
Reynolds’ pivot to an X-Men ensemble isn’t just creative—it’s strategic. Deadpool & Wolverine showed the mutants’ potential to revitalize the MCU, especially after flops like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. The X-Men are set to take a bigger spotlight post-Multiverse Saga, with a separate X-Men reboot penned by Hunger Games writer Michael Lesslie in development, per ScreenRant. Reynolds’ project, distinct from Lesslie’s, could serve as a bridge, testing mutant dynamics in the MCU while keeping Deadpool’s anarchic energy intact.
Reynolds has a history of tinkering with bold ideas. Before Deadpool & Wolverine, he pitched a low-budget road trip movie for Deadpool 3 and even a Rashomon-style narrative with Wolverine, per Wikipedia. His willingness to experiment, combined with his creative control—evident in Deadpool & Wolverine’s 78% Rotten Tomatoes score and $1.33 billion box office—gives him leverage to shape this new venture. However, it’s early days, and Marvel Studios hasn’t greenlit the project. As Popverse notes, Reynolds is working independently, refining concepts before presenting them to Kevin Feige.
Fan Reactions and Challenges Ahead
Fans on X are split but excited. Some hail Reynolds’ vision, with one user posting, “Deadpool as the chaotic sidekick to X-Men? Take my money!” Others worry about diluting Wade’s spotlight, with a commenter noting, “He’s best when he’s the star, not the fifth wheel.” The sentiment echoes Reynolds’ own words to Variety in December 2024, where he said he’d “happily be the fifth banana” in someone else’s movie, like a Gambit-led project with Tatum. This humility, paired with his insistence that Deadpool remain an outsider, suggests a film that respects the character’s roots while pushing the X-Men forward.
Challenges loom, though. Coordinating with Marvel’s packed slate, including Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, could delay production. Casting is another hurdle—while Reynolds can dream up his ideal mutants, Marvel calls the shots. And with no director or release date attached, per Times Now, the project could fizzle if Reynolds’ treatments don’t land. Still, his track record—reviving Deadpool after X-Men Origins: Wolverine’s misstep and coaxing Jackman out of retirement—bodes well.
What’s Next for Reynolds and the MCU?
Beyond this X-Men venture, Reynolds is juggling other projects, including scripting the Paramount comedy Boy Band, where he’ll star as an aging pop star, possibly alongside Jackman. His focus on writing, as he told THR last year—“I’m more passionate about storytelling than acting”—underscores his hands-on approach. For the MCU, this film could pave the way for Phase 7, integrating mutants more deeply while keeping Deadpool’s R-rated edge, a formula that worked wonders in 2024.
The road to this mutant mash-up is long, but Reynolds’ knack for subverting expectations keeps hope alive. Will Deadpool trade chimichangas for team tactics? Only time—and Marvel’s approval—will tell. For the latest on this project and all things MCU, stick with Geek Vibes Nation.
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