After Deadpool & Wolverine raked in a staggering $1.338 billion at the global box office and became the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time, it seemed inevitable that more would follow. With Ryan Reynolds not only starring as the Merc with a Mouth but also shaping the franchise creatively since 2016, expectations were high that another installment would be on the horizon, especially with Disney eager to capitalize on its success.
Surprisingly, however, Reynolds has indicated that there is no Deadpool 4 in the works, and that Deadpool & Wolverine could end up being the character’s final standalone film.
“I have some stuff kind of written, but I don’t think I’m ever going to center him again,” Ryan Reynolds said during a recent interview on Sunday Today. “He’s a supporting character. He’s a guy who is great in a group.”
Reynolds echoed that sentiment in a separate conversation with Collider, emphasizing that while he remains closely connected with Marvel, there are no immediate plans to push forward with another solo outing.
“I’ve talked to Marvel off and on—we have a really great relationship,” he said. “It’s always a conversation. I’m always looking to be additive and help on anything, even if it’s not a movie I’m in. And I’m always writing. It’s how I kind of get it out of my system. I love writing. That character and that world is one where anything is possible, and that allows for so much freedom in storytelling.”
Reynolds added that while he does have ideas he’s excited about, there’s no urgency to bring them to life just yet. Part of that comes down to how he views the character.
“I have a few things written that I love. We’ll figure it out when the time is right,” he said. “I’m not in any huge rush right now.” He also noted that Deadpool works best in the current, superhero-packed MCU when used sparingly and with a balance of scarcity and surprise. Jumping straight into another full-fledged project, he suggested, could risk diluting what makes the character so effective.
While Reynolds believes Deadpool thrives in ensemble settings, he’s clear about one direction he doesn’t want the character to take. He’s not keen on seeing the “Regeneratin’ Degenerate” fully join teams like the Avengers or the X-Men.
“I don’t think he should ever be an Avenger or an X-Man. If he becomes either, we’re at the end,” Reynolds explained. “Deadpool works best alongside those characters, but he has to remain an outsider. His whole thing is wanting to be accepted and appreciated. But he can’t be accepted. If and when he does become an Avenger or X-Man, we’re at the end of his journey.”
With Deadpool 4 not in works for now, Reynolds seems more interested in preserving what makes the character special than rushing him back into another solo movie. For Deadpool’s MCU future, that may mean fewer appearances, bigger surprises, and a continued role as Marvel’s favorite outsider.
Are you surprised that there are no Deadpool 4 plans yet? Do you think a big, pile of money offered by Disney would change Reynolds’ mind? Do you think Deadpool might appear in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday or the planned crossover Secret Wars thereafter? Let us know in the comments.
