A new Marvel Cinematic Universe theory for the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine makes the ending of Deadpool 2 even more shocking than it was.

A new Deadpool & Wolverine offers a great explanation for a sequence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movie’s first trailer, which could bring a major reveal about the events of Deadpool 2’s ending. Following two very successful R-rated entries in the Fox X-Men Universe, the Deadpool franchise is back with a third film. This time around, Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool will be joined by Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, who returns for the first time to the role since 2017’s Logan. Deadpool & Wolverine’s plot will include Deadpool meeting the TVA in the MCU, as revealed by the movie’s first trailer.

Deadpool & Wolverine‘s trailer broke a major record, becoming the movie trailer with the most views of all time within 24 hours with 365 million views. That shows how high the excitement for the MCU’s only 2024 movie is. Deadpool & Wolverine‘s trailer brought many interesting reveals, which include the return of Pyro from Fox’s X-Men movies, as well as a look at Jackman’s yellow and blue Wolverine costume in motion. One specific sequence in the trailer raised some questions as to what exactly was happening, and an MCU theory explains that by using Deadpool 2‘s ending.

Deadpool & Wolverine Wade Wilson Retcon Theory Explained

Deadpool 2 Featured Time Travel

Deadpool 2‘s ending featured a shocking twist. In the movie, Reynolds’ Wade Wilson used Cable’s time-traveling device to go back to the past and bring Morena Baccarin’s Vanessa and some of Deadpool’s friends back to life. According to a Deadpool & Wolverine theory shared on Reddit by user LeonardoIsPainting, the MCU movie could reveal that there was a heartbreaking twist to Deadpool 2‘s time travel. According to the theory, besides just rescuing his friends, Wade Wilson decided to erase his Deadpool persona, with Reynolds’ character retaining his powers but pretending to just be Wade Wilson ever since.

The theory hinges on the beginning of Deadpool & Wolverine‘s trailer. There is a sequence that takes place at Wade’s birthday party, which features a moment where the character says, “It has been a challenging few years, for sure, but I’m happy.” Wade and Vanessa appear to have a serious conversation, and Wade looks visibly sad when he says that he is happy in the voiceover. Adding to that, when the TVA arrives, Wade closes the door and starts speaking in a hushed tone, trying to hide what is going on from his friends while switching back to Deadpool mode.

Deadpool 2 ‘s ending would become more important, as it might not have re-established the franchise’s status quo but changed it entirely.

The MCU theory proposes that Deadpool time traveled to erase his superhero persona in an effort to keep his friends safe and remain close to Vanessa, who calls him “buddy” in the trailer and possibly had broken up with him prior to the time travel. This would explain why Wade was looking sad while saying he was happy and the character instantly shifted his demeanor once he closed the door to talk to the TVA agents. Deadpool 2‘s ending would become more important, as it might not have re-established the franchise’s status quo but changed it entirely.

The Deadpool Theory Fits Thematically With A Confirmed Element

Fox’s Marvel Universe Could Play A Major Role In The MCU Movie

The Deadpool & Wolverine theory proposes that Wade Wilson erased his Deadpool persona from the Fox Marvel Universe, meaning no characters would know who Deadpool is. That fits thematically with a confirmed element of the movie. The Deadpool & Wolverine trailer teased the role the Fox X-Men franchise will play in the MCU film, as Deadpool was thrown against a destroyed 20th Century Fox logo by Jackman’s Wolverine, who was wearing his comic book-accurate yellow and blue costume.

The destroyed Fox logo had previously been revealed by Deadpool & Wolverine set photos and videos, which showed Reynolds’ Merc With a Mouth having a brutal fight with Jackman’s Wolverine near the rubble. The MCU movie had been rumored to feature a version of the “Deadpool Destroys the Marvel Universe” comic book story, only with the Fox Marvel Universe being the one destroyed in the movie. The broken logo teases that direction for the film, and Fox’s Marvel Universe getting erased fits thematically with Deadpool erasing his footprint in the franchise.

Deadpool’s Erased Persona Would Make His MCU Transition Easier

Ryan Reynolds Will Likely Become An Important MCU Star

Given how popular Reynolds’ Deadpool is, with the impressive record broken by Deadpool & Wolverine’s first trailer only making it more clear, the character should become a major part of the MCU now that he will join the franchise in the upcoming movie. With Deadpool possibly having erased his existence from the Fox Marvel Universe, him joining the MCU permanently would be made easier. It remains to be seen if the Deadpool & Wolverine theory will pan out, though it would explain Wade Wilson’s strange behavior in the trailer.