In a shocking twist that has sent the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fandom into a frenzy, Ryan Reynolds, the irreverent heart and soul of the Deadpool franchise, has declared war on Disney after the studio slashed his salary for future projects. The Canadian superstar, whose razor-sharp wit and relentless charm turned the Merc with a Mouth into a billion-dollar icon, is reportedly walking away from the role that defined his career, vowing, “There’ll be no more Deadpool!” This bombshell, dropped during a fiery press conference in Los Angeles on August 20, 2025, marks a seismic rupture between Reynolds and the House of Mouse, with the actor unleashing a revenge plan that could reshape Hollywood’s superhero landscape. Buckle up—this is a saga of betrayal, defiance, and one man’s quest to stick it to the corporate machine.

The Deadpool franchise, a foul-mouthed, R-rated juggernaut, has been a crown jewel for Disney since the 2019 acquisition of 20th Century Fox. Deadpool & Wolverine, released in July 2024, shattered records as the highest-grossing R-rated film ever, raking in $1.215 billion globally and breathing new life into a flagging MCU. Reynolds, who starred as Wade Wilson, co-wrote the script, and served as a producer, was hailed as the mastermind behind its success, alongside Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. Fans on X celebrated the film’s irreverent humor, jaw-dropping cameos, and heartfelt nods to Fox’s Marvel legacy, with posts like, “Ryan Reynolds is Deadpool—nobody else could pull this off!” But behind the scenes, tensions were brewing, and Disney’s latest move has pushed Reynolds to the edge.

Insiders reveal that Disney, under pressure to cut costs after a string of MCU flops like The Marvels and Thunderbolts, proposed a staggering 35% salary cut for Reynolds’ involvement in future Deadpool projects, including a potential Deadpool 4 and Avengers: Secret Wars cameos. Reynolds, who famously sacrificed his pay for the first Deadpool in 2016 to ensure its creative integrity—paying writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick out of pocket—was blindsided. “Ryan gave everything to make Deadpool & Wolverine a hit,” a source close to the actor said. “He took risks, fought for the R-rating, and delivered a billion-dollar win. For Disney to lowball him now feels like a slap in the face.” The studio’s rationale? Streamlining budgets to stabilize Disney+’s $4 billion losses and appease shareholders demanding leaner operations.

Reynolds didn’t take the news lying down. At the press conference, held at a packed Dolby Theatre, he let loose with his signature Deadpool snark, barely masking his rage. “I’ve been bleeding chimichangas for this character since 2009,” he quipped, referencing his ill-fated Wade Wilson role in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. “I fought Fox, I fought leaks, I fought for every F-bomb. But Disney thinks they can cut my pay and keep the Merc? Nah, I’m out. Suck it, Mouse!” The crowd roared, and X exploded with hashtags like #RyanVsDisney and #SaveDeadpool, as fans rallied behind their anti-hero. Clips of Reynolds tossing a Mickey Mouse cap into the air and slicing it with prop katanas went viral, cementing his rebellion as a cultural moment.

The salary cut wasn’t the only grievance. Sources say Disney pressured Reynolds to tone down Deadpool 4’s R-rated edge to align with the MCU’s family-friendly brand, a move he fiercely resisted. “They wanted PG-13, less blood, fewer dick jokes,” the insider revealed. “Ryan said, ‘Over my dismembered body.’ Deadpool’s not Spider-Man—he’s the guy who breaks the fourth wall and flips off the suits.” This echoes past battles: Reynolds clashed with Fox over Deadpool 1’s budget, even funding writers himself when the studio refused, and fought for creative control through every film. His jabs at Fox in Deadpool & Wolverine—like the line, “Suck it, Fox, I’m going to Disneyland!”—proved he’s no stranger to calling out studio overreach. But Disney’s betrayal, after absorbing his franchise, cut deeper.

Reynolds’ revenge plan is as bold as his alter ego. Sources say he’s walking away from Deadpool 4 and has greenlit a new, independent superhero project under his Maximum Effort Productions, co-produced with Blake Lively’s B for Effort. The untitled film, described as a “spiritual successor” to Deadpool, will feature a new anti-hero—an original character unbound by Disney’s constraints. “Think Deadpool’s sarcasm but darker, grittier, and free from corporate notes,” the insider teased. Reynolds is reportedly in talks with John Wick creator Chad Stahelski to direct, with a cast that could include Deadpool alums like Morena Baccarin and Zazie Beetz. X users are hyped, with one posting, “Ryan’s building his own MCU without the Mouse. Let’s go!” Others speculate he might take the project to Sony or Universal, studios eager to capitalize on Disney’s misstep.

The fallout has fans and industry insiders reeling. Deadpool & Wolverine’s success—$590 million in its first five days and a cultural milestone for the MCU—relied on Reynolds’ vision, from casting his kids as Kidpool and Babypool to securing Matthew McConaughey as Cowboypool. Yet Disney’s cost-cutting echoes their treatment of other stars, like the Guardians of the Galaxy cast, who also faced salary disputes. “Ryan’s not just fighting for himself,” a Hollywood exec said. “He’s signaling to every actor: don’t let studios undervalue you.” The controversy has also reignited chatter about Reynolds’ legal spat with Justin Baldoni, whose claims that Deadpool & Wolverine’s Nicepool mocked him added fuel to the fire. Though Disney denied the allegations, the drama underscores Reynolds’ knack for stirring the pot.

Fans are torn between heartbreak and admiration. On X, #NoMoreDeadpool trends alongside tributes to Reynolds’ legacy, with posts like, “Deadpool without Ryan is like pizza without cheese—pointless.” Others cheer his defiance: “Disney fumbled the bag, and Ryan’s about to build an empire.” The Deadpool franchise’s future is murky without him. Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige, speaking at a 2025 Comic-Con panel, remained vague: “We love Ryan and Deadpool, and we’re working on options.” But replacing Reynolds seems unthinkable—his quips, ad-libs, and fourth-wall-breaking charm are the character’s DNA. A rumored recast with Neil Patrick Harris for a VR game sparked backlash, with Reynolds joking on X, “Neil’s great, but I’m the only Merc who’s been screwed this hard by Disney.”

Disney’s in a bind. The MCU’s Phase 5 has struggled, with Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts underperforming, and Star Wars’s theatrical absence since 2019. Losing Deadpool, a proven moneymaker, could tank investor confidence. Bob Iger’s push for cost-cutting—evident in canceled projects like The Acolyte—has drawn scrutiny, with X users slamming Disney for “killing their golden goose.” Some speculate the studio might backtrack, offering Reynolds a sweeter deal to return, but his team insists he’s done. “He’s not bluffing,” the insider said. “Ryan’s got Free Guy 2 and Wrexham AFC—he doesn’t need Disney.”

This saga is more than a salary dispute—it’s a clash of creativity versus corporate greed. Reynolds, who turned a B-list comic character into a global phenomenon, embodies Deadpool’s underdog spirit. His revenge—a new, boundary-pushing superhero epic—could challenge Disney’s dominance and inspire others to defy studio overreach. As one X post put it, “Ryan’s not just walking away; he’s moonwalking out with both middle fingers up.” Whether he returns to the MCU or builds his own empire, one thing’s clear: the Merc with a Mouth’s legacy will outlast Disney’s missteps. The chimichanga king is down, but he’s far from out.