Deadpool Confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday Cast, But There’s a Twist

Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool is finally ready to make the leap into the world of ensemble MCU movies, but when he arrives in Avengers: Doomsday, it won’t be in the way fans might expect. The irreverent, fourth-wall-breaking character has always stood apart from the rest of Marvel’s more polished heroes, and it looks like Marvel intends to keep it that way.

What Is Deadpool’s Role in Avengers: Doomsday?

According to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter’s Heat Vision newsletter, Reynolds is officially set to appear in the upcoming film. The announcement comes just days after Reynolds teased the appearance with a cheeky post on Instagram—classic Deadpool marketing style.

But here’s the twist: Deadpool won’t exactly be joining Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Reporters Aaron Couch and Borys Kit made it clear that fans shouldn’t “expect him to actually be joining the Avengers team.” Instead, Deadpool will apparently be doing his usual unpredictable, self-aware antics—likely stirring chaos and poking fun at Marvel tropes along the way.

That’s not to say his role will be small. If anything, Deadpool thrives on disrupting big stories, and Avengers: Doomsday seems like the perfect playground for him.

An Expanding Cast of Heavyweights

With Reynolds’ addition, the cast list for Avengers: Doomsday is looking stacked, even by Marvel standards. Several heavy hitters are confirmed, each representing different corners of the MCU.

Among the returning Avengers lineup are Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Anthony Mackie as the new Captain America, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier, Letitia Wright as Shuri/Black Panther, and Paul Rudd as Ant-Man.

From Marvel’s recent expansion, Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby are stepping in as Reed Richards and Sue Storm, while Joseph Quinn takes on Johnny Storm/Human Torch and Ebon Moss-Bachrach plays The Thing. That means the Fantastic Four will be fully present and finally integrated into the main MCU storyline.

Other big names include Wyatt Russell as John Walker/U.S. Agent, Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Kelsey Grammer reprising Beast, Winston Duke as M’Baku, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, and Danny Ramirez stepping into the role of Falcon.

X-Men Crossovers Finally Arrive

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the number of X-Men characters confirmed to appear. Patrick Stewart’s Charles Xavier, Ian McKellen’s Magneto, Alan Cumming’s Nightcrawler, Rebecca Romijn’s Mystique, and James Marsden’s Cyclops are all set to return.

And then there’s Channing Tatum as Gambit—yes, the long-rumored role that’s been floating around since Fox’s X-Men days. His long-delayed debut is finally happening, and Avengers: Doomsday looks like it’s giving him the grand entrance fans never thought they’d see.

Bringing in these legacy characters alongside the Avengers and Fantastic Four signals Marvel’s full embrace of its multiverse strategy, and Deadpool’s irreverent presence might be the perfect glue to make all of these worlds collide.

Why Deadpool Matters in This Movie

Deadpool’s entry into the MCU has always been a tricky prospect. His R-rated humor and habit of breaking the fourth wall don’t exactly mesh with Marvel’s standard tone. But with Deadpool & Wolverine breaking records and proving audiences are ready for edgier content, Marvel now has more freedom to unleash him.

By placing Deadpool in Avengers: Doomsday—but not as an Avenger—the studio gets to have its cake and eat it too. Fans get the crossover they’ve been dreaming of, while Deadpool still gets to lampoon the very idea of superhero team-ups. Expect plenty of jokes at the expense of the Avengers, the X-Men, and maybe even Marvel Studios itself.

The Bigger Picture: What Avengers: Doomsday Sets Up

Marvel has already positioned Avengers: Doomsday as a massive crossover event leading directly into Avengers: Secret Wars. The film is expected to set the stage for an all-out multiversal battle, bringing together heroes from across franchises. Deadpool’s role, while unconventional, could prove important.

After all, his ability to jump between realities—and acknowledge them—makes him uniquely valuable in a story about collapsing universes. He may not be leading the Avengers, but don’t be surprised if Deadpool ends up being the wild card who helps (or hinders) the fight against whatever cosmic threat looms.

Release Date

Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to release in theaters on December 18, 2026. With Deadpool now officially part of the chaos, the film is shaping up to be one of Marvel’s most unpredictable ensemble blockbusters yet.