In a shocking turn of events that has left Marvel fans reeling, reports emerged on September 8, 2025, that Ryan Reynolds will not reprise his iconic role as Deadpool in the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday, set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026. The news, first broken at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) during a press junket for Reynolds’ documentary John Candy: I Like Me, has sparked a frenzy of speculation and disappointment across social media platforms like X, where hashtags like #NoDeadpoolNoDoomsday are trending. With Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) shattering records as the highest-grossing R-rated film ever at $1.3 billion, Marvel Studios’ failure to secure the Merc with a Mouth for its next Avengers epic raises questions about the studio’s strategy, the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and whether the multiverse saga can deliver without one of its most beloved antiheroes.

The Rise of Deadpool: From Risky Bet to MCU Powerhouse

To understand the magnitude of this development, it’s worth revisiting Deadpool’s meteoric rise. Introduced in 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine, the character, played by Reynolds, was a muted misstep, with his mouth sewn shut in a betrayal of the comics’ wise-cracking mercenary. Undeterred, Reynolds championed a faithful adaptation, personally funding test footage that leaked online in 2014, igniting fan demand. The resulting Deadpool (2016) was a gamble for 20th Century Fox—a $58 million R-rated superhero film in a PG-13-dominated market—but it paid off, grossing $782 million globally. Deadpool 2 (2018) followed suit, earning $785 million, cementing Reynolds as the definitive Wade Wilson, a foul-mouthed, fourth-wall-breaking antihero with a knack for chimichangas and chaotic humor.

The acquisition of Fox by Disney in 2019 brought Deadpool into the MCU, culminating in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), directed by Shawn Levy. The film, pairing Reynolds with Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, was a cultural phenomenon, blending multiverse shenanigans with irreverent comedy and cameos from Fox-era mutants like Channing Tatum’s Gambit. Its $1.3 billion box office haul made it the MCU’s biggest hit since Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), proving Deadpool’s universal appeal. Fans expected this success to propel the character into Avengers: Doomsday, especially given its multiverse-heavy plot and the return of Fox-era X-Men like Patrick Stewart’s Professor X and Ian McKellen’s Magneto. Yet, Reynolds’ absence now threatens to derail those hopes, leaving Marvel in a precarious position.

The Doomsday Dilemma: Why Deadpool’s Exclusion Hurts

Avengers: Doomsday, directed by the Russo Brothers with a script by Michael Waldron and Stephen McFeely, is poised to be a cornerstone of the MCU’s Phase Six. The film features Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, a villainous pivot from his Iron Man legacy, alongside a stacked cast including Anthony Mackie (Captain America), Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), and X-Men veterans like James Marsden (Cyclops) and Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler). The plot, shrouded in secrecy, involves a multiversal crisis threatening Earth-616, with Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and the Fantastic Four (led by Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards) playing pivotal roles. Given Deadpool’s experience navigating multiverses in Deadpool & Wolverine, his inclusion seemed a natural fit, promising comedic relief and chaotic energy to balance the film’s high stakes.

However, during a TIFF interview on September 6, 2025, Reynolds downplayed speculation, stating he “hasn’t stepped foot on the Doomsday set” and jokingly dismissed rumors of his involvement. Insiders report that negotiations between Marvel and Reynolds collapsed over scheduling conflicts and creative differences. Reynolds, fresh off producing John Candy: I Like Me and starring in upcoming projects like Red Notice 2, reportedly sought a larger role for Deadpool, envisioning him as a key player rather than a cameo. Marvel, constrained by a sprawling 25-actor ensemble and a focus on Doctor Doom’s arc, offered a limited appearance—rumored to be a brief gag in the film’s third act. Disagreements over Deadpool’s tone, particularly how to integrate his R-rated humor into a PG-13 epic, further strained talks. By August 2025, both sides walked away, with Reynolds opting to focus on a potential Deadpool 4 in development with Marvel but not tied to the Avengers saga.

The fallout has been swift. On X, fans have expressed outrage, with posts like “Marvel fumbled the bag—Deadpool carried the MCU in 2024!” Others fear the absence of Reynolds’ irreverent charm will make Doomsday feel overly serious, especially after the lukewarm reception to Captain America: Brave New World ($400 million globally). Industry analysts estimate that Deadpool’s inclusion could have boosted Doomsday’s box office by 15-20%, given his proven draw. Without him, Marvel risks alienating a fanbase already skeptical of the multiverse saga’s complexity.

Behind the Scenes: What Went Wrong?

The failure to secure Reynolds stems from a confluence of factors. First, the MCU’s packed slate has stretched resources thin. With The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 2025) and Thunderbolts (May 2025) underperforming at $350 million and $382 million respectively, Marvel is under pressure to deliver a hit with Doomsday. The film’s $400 million budget, driven by its massive cast and CGI-heavy multiverse sequences, left little room for Reynolds’ reported $25 million salary demand. Additionally, the Russo Brothers’ vision emphasizes a dramatic showdown between Doctor Doom and Earth’s heroes, with limited space for Deadpool’s fourth-wall-breaking antics, which could disrupt the film’s tone.

Scheduling posed another hurdle. Reynolds’ 2025 commitments include promoting John Candy: I Like Me and filming a heist comedy with Eddie Murphy, clashing with Doomsday’s London shoot. Marvel’s refusal to accommodate his schedule, coupled with their insistence on a minor role, led to a stalemate. Sources close to the production suggest Disney underestimated Reynolds’ leverage, assuming his loyalty to the MCU post-Deadpool & Wolverine would secure his participation. Instead, Reynolds’ camp prioritized creative control, hinting at a standalone Deadpool project that could explore his multiverse adventures without Avengers constraints.

Fan and Industry Reactions: A Divided Multiverse

The reaction on X has been visceral. Fans have flooded the platform with memes of Deadpool flipping off the Avengers logo, alongside posts lamenting “Marvel’s biggest mistake since Eternals.” Some defend the decision, arguing that Deadpool’s irreverence might overshadow the ensemble, with one user writing, “Doomsday needs to be epic, not a comedy show.” Critics, however, see this as a symptom of Marvel’s broader struggles. The MCU’s Phase Five has been criticized for lacking the cohesion of earlier phases, with films like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and The Marvels failing to resonate. Deadpool & Wolverine’s success was a bright spot, making Reynolds’ exclusion all the more baffling.

Industry observers are equally puzzled. The MCU’s dominance, once unchallenged, faces competition from streaming platforms like Prime Video, which recently signed Chris Hemsworth for a rival superhero series, The Vanguard Alliance. Losing Deadpool risks further eroding Marvel’s edge, especially as DC’s Superman (2025) gains buzz. Analysts predict Doomsday could still gross $1.2 billion, but without Deadpool, it may struggle to match Endgame’s cultural impact.

What’s Next for Deadpool and the MCU?

While Reynolds is out of Doomsday, hope remains for Deadpool’s MCU future. Marvel is developing an untitled project featuring Deadpool and X-Men characters, potentially directed by Shawn Levy. Rumors suggest it could focus on Deadpool teaming with Tatum’s Gambit and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, building on Deadpool & Wolverine’s success. However, with Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) also in the works, fans speculate Deadpool might return for that climactic multiverse battle, where his meta humor could shine.

For Doomsday, Marvel is doubling down on its existing cast. Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom, paired with the return of X-Men like Kelsey Grammer’s Beast, aims to deliver nostalgia and spectacle. New additions, like Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez, could fill the gap, but replacing Deadpool’s unique energy is a tall order. Kevin Feige has teased “surprises” for the film, hinting at unannounced cameos, but the absence of Reynolds looms large.

A Multiverse Without the Merc?

Marvel’s failure to secure Deadpool for Avengers: Doomsday is a self-inflicted wound that underscores the MCU’s challenges in balancing ambition with fan expectations. Reynolds’ Wade Wilson, with his irreverent charm and box office clout, was a golden opportunity to elevate the film. As Disney scrambles to course-correct, fans are left wondering if the MCU can recapture its glory without the Merc with a Mouth. For now, the jungle of the multiverse feels a little less chaotic—and a lot less fun.