The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Deadpool & Wolverine delivered one of the most talked-about surprises of 2024 with the appearance of Lady Deadpool (also known as Ladypool), voiced by Blake Lively. This female variant of the Merc with a Mouth made her big-screen debut in a chaotic, high-octane climax that brought together a multiverse army of Deadpool variants, including a host of Fox-era characters and cameos. Lively’s involvement was teased for months through rumors, set photos, and clever social media hints, but it became official when the film’s credits confirmed her role—and she later opened up about the “magical sense of humor” of the universe that made it happen.
Lady Deadpool, whose real name in the comics is Wanda Wilson, is a popular variant first introduced in Marvel Comics in 2010. Created by Rob Liefeld, she was originally drawn unmasked with an appearance inspired by Lively’s iconic Gossip Girl character, Serena van der Woodsen. Liefeld and his wife were huge fans of the show at the time, and he later joked that if Lady Deadpool ever made it to live-action, Lively would likely have input on the casting. Little did he know that over a decade later, she would indeed step into the role, albeit masked and primarily through voice work.
In Deadpool & Wolverine, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson/Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, the story follows the duo as they navigate the multiverse to save Wade’s timeline. After being pulled into the Void—a wasteland for forgotten timelines and variants—they face off against Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin), a powerful villain who seeks to destroy all realities using a device called the Time Ripper. To stop Deadpool and Wolverine from reaching her, Nova unleashes the Deadpool Corps, a ragtag army of variants led by Lady Deadpool.
The climax features an explosive, bloody battle set to Madonna’s “Like a Prayer,” where Lady Deadpool charges forward at the head of the pack, her red-and-black suit nearly identical to Deadpool’s but accented with a flowing golden blonde ponytail. She leads variants like Kidpool (played by Reynolds’ daughter Inez), Dogpool, Headpool, and many others in a brutal assault. The scene is pure chaos: swords clash, guns blaze, and quips fly as Deadpool and Wolverine fight for their lives. Lady Deadpool delivers sharp, sarcastic lines, embodying the character’s fierce, no-nonsense attitude while coordinating the Corps. Though she never removes her mask on-screen, Lively’s distinctive voice shines through, adding a layer of meta humor given her real-life marriage to Reynolds.
The cameo was a perfect inside joke for fans. Lively never shows her face, leading to speculation about whether she physically wore the suit or just provided voice work (many believe it was primarily ADR, as is common for masked roles). Regardless, her presence ties directly to the film’s family affair—Reynolds co-wrote the script and peppered it with references to his wife, including the famous line “There are 206 bones in the human body—207 if I’m watching Gossip Girl.” Another moment has Deadpool warning Wolverine, “Get your mind out of my pants, man, or I’m telling Blake.” These fourth-wall breaks made the cameo even more delightful.
Lively embraced the role wholeheartedly. In a heartfelt Instagram post after the film’s release, she reflected on the full-circle moment: hearing Reynolds pitch Deadpool during Green Lantern, watching Liefeld base Lady Deadpool on her Gossip Girl character in 2010, and now voicing her in the movie. “The universe has such a magical sense of humor sometimes,” she wrote, signing off with “Xoxo – LP” (a nod to Lady Deadpool). She praised the film’s commitment to fun and chaos, noting how it honored the “millennial-girl time period” that shaped her career.
The appearance ties into broader multiverse fun. Deadpool & Wolverine serves as a bridge between Fox’s X-Men universe and the MCU, featuring variants and cameos from Fox films: Blade (Wesley Snipes), Elektra (Jennifer Garner), Gambit (Channing Tatum), and more. The Deadpool Corps sequence celebrates the character’s comic history while poking fun at the MCU’s endless variants. Lady Deadpool’s leadership in the charge makes her a standout, even in a brief role.
Beyond acting, Lively influenced the film creatively. She reportedly gave a key note on the ending that prompted a reshoot, adding suspense and a more satisfying payoff after the Time Ripper’s destruction. This tweak—holding off on revealing Deadpool and Wolverine’s survival—heightened the emotional stakes and led to one of the movie’s most memorable moments.
Deadpool & Wolverine became a massive hit, grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide and earning praise for its humor, heart, and respect for the Fox legacy. Lively’s Lady Deadpool cameo added a personal, heartfelt layer to the spectacle. While her face remains hidden, her voice and the meta nods ensure fans know exactly who’s behind the mask. In a franchise built on surprises and fourth-wall breaks, this was one of the sweetest and most fitting.
