Credit: 20th Century StudiosSomething interesting is stirring inside the Marvel fandom, and it’s the kind of update that makes people lean a little closer to their screens. A recent report has reignited speculation that Deadpool could be in line for a surprising return in Avengers: Doomsday (2026).
Nothing has been laid out in bold, official lettering just yet, but the way this information is surfacing has fans connecting dots fast. And if those dots do connect, Wade Wilson may finally be stepping into the Avengers-sized spotlight in a way that changes the MCU going forward.
Deadpool’s MCU Popularity
It’s hard to overstate just how massive Deadpool has become since he arrived in the Marvel cinematic landscape. What started as a risky, R-rated gamble turned into one of the most successful character introductions Marvel has ever pulled off. His films didn’t just perform well financially—they carved out a tone and voice that felt totally different from anything else in the franchise.
That popularity hasn’t faded, either. If anything, it’s grown. Deadpool stands out because he doesn’t play by the same rules as other heroes, and audiences love him for it. Fans have been waiting for years to see how someone who actively mocks superhero tropes would interact with the very heroes those tropes helped build.
Fans Have Been Waiting for a True Team-Up
For a long time, Deadpool existed just outside the main Marvel sandbox. Viewers could imagine how he’d bounce off characters like Captain America or Thor, but those moments never quite arrived. That anticipation only grew as the MCU expanded and leaned harder into shared universes and crossover storytelling.
What fans really want isn’t just another solo adventure. They want to see Deadpool in the middle of the chaos—cracking jokes while the fate of reality hangs in the balance. The Avengers films are built for that kind of energy, which is why talk of his involvement in Avengers: Doomsday (2026) feels so electric.
Deadpool & Wolverine Offered a Taste of What’s Possible
That long-awaited crossover energy finally showed up in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), and it didn’t disappoint. The movie leaned hard into Multiverse chaos and let Deadpool collide with characters fans never expected to see share the screen again.
Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine returned, bringing emotional weight and a sense of nostalgia. Channing Tatum finally stepped into the role of Gambit. Wesley Snipes appeared as Blade. Jennifer Garner’s Elektra made her way back into the mix. Even Chris Evans popped up as Johnny Storm, calling back to the original Fantastic Four (2005) era in a way that felt both playful and surprising.
Those appearances didn’t just feel like fun cameos. They felt like Marvel was testing the waters, seeing how audiences would react to Deadpool acting as a bridge between eras of superhero storytelling.
From Fox Legends to Modern MCU Heroes
Now, the conversation seems to be shifting again. Instead of Deadpool only bouncing around with familiar Fox-era characters, there’s growing buzz that he could cross paths with newer MCU players. That opens the door to interactions fans have never seen before.
Imagine Deadpool sharing screen time with the Thunderbolts. Picture him clashing verbally with the new Fantastic Four. Or consider how chaotic things could get if he ends up face-to-face with Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr. Such a crossover would finally deliver the Avengers-style team-up that many fans have been dreaming about for years.
The Report That Sparked the Buzz
According to a new report, Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool could be back as early as 2026 in Avengers: Doomsday (2026). We already know Marvel is pulling several X-Men characters back into the spotlight, including Professor X (Patrick Stewart), Magneto (Ian McKellen), and Cyclops (James Marsden).
What really pushed this rumor into overdrive came from scooper Alex Perez of The Cosmic Circus. While responding on X to a rumored list of fight sequences, Perez reacted to a matchup involving Reed Richards and Nightcrawler by suggesting Mr. Fantastic might be battling the “wrong mutant.” He followed that up with a GIF of Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool. When pressed on whether that meant Deadpool was part of the 2026 plans, Perez doubled down with another Deadpool GIF, adding, “I know, right.”
It wasn’t a formal confirmation, but it didn’t feel accidental either.
Conflicting Reports—and Familiar Patterns
This isn’t the first time Deadpool’s Avengers future has been discussed. Earlier reports suggested he would appear in multiple MCU projects, including Avengers: Doomsday (2026), although details about the scope of his role were unclear.
Other Marvel reports have already confirmed that Channing Tatum’s Gambit will return following his debut in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), which sets the stage for future reunions.
Around the same time, insider Daniel Richtman reported that Deadpool would play a “major role” in Avengers: Secret Wars (2027), where he would team up again with Wolverine and appear alongside Spider-Men played by Tobey Maguire and Tom Holland.
Adding to the mystery, Reynolds has publicly stated that he hasn’t set foot on the set for Avengers 5. Then again, Chris Evans said something similar before it was confirmed he would return as Steve Rogers in Avengers: Doomsday (2026). Marvel has a long history of actors denying involvement right up until the moment the trailer drops.
Deadpool’s Role in the Bigger Multiverse Plan
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) hinted that the TVA is assembling heroes from across the Multiverse for a purpose bigger than any single timeline. The idea of saving the entire Sacred Timeline feels like precisely the kind of mess Deadpool would stumble into—and then somehow survive.
If Deadpool’s “major role” is truly being saved for Avengers: Secret Wars (2027), his appearance in Avengers: Doomsday (2026) could be more of an introduction. That film may quietly assemble a new group of heroes, setting the stage for something much larger when the Multiverse truly collides.
What This Could Mean for Marvel’s Future
One of the biggest questions hanging over all of this is tone. Deadpool doesn’t precisely fit into a clean PG-13 box, and it’s hard to imagine his character being toned down without losing what makes him work. His involvement could push Marvel to experiment more boldly, possibly even opening the door to R-rated elements in future Avengers-level projects.
At the very least, it signals a willingness to let different styles coexist within the same story. That flexibility could be exactly what the MCU needs as it heads toward its next primary phase.
So what do you think? Are you ready to see Deadpool join the Avengers in Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027)? Or should Marvel keep him operating just outside the team? One way or another, it feels like Wade Wilson’s next move is going to be anything but subtle.