Leading up to the release ofDeadpool & Wolverine, the internet was flooded with speculation and theories about how the film would impact the widerMarvel Cinematic Universe, many of which proved false. Audiences theorized that the film would be the key to unlockingthe MCU’s future, setting up the next major saga, and introducing long-awaited elements into themain Marvel timeline. WhileDeadpool & Wolverinedelivered a thrilling, irreverent, and action-packed multiversal adventure, it did not shake up the MCU in the ways many had expected.
Ever since the acquisition of 20th Century Fox by Disney, it has been speculated on how characters from Fox’sX-Menuniverse would be integrated into the MCU. The announcement ofDeadpool & Wolverine– which officially brought Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool andHugh Jackman’s Wolverinetogether – only intensified this speculation. The film’s multiversal elements, combined with Marvel’s larger Multiverse Saga, led many to believe that it would serve as a pivotal moment for the MCU’s future. However, the film ultimately functioned more as a conclusion to the FoxX-Menera rather than a direct restructuring of the MCU.
10Deadpool & Wolverine Would Directly Set Up Avengers: Secret Wars
One of the most persistent theories was thatDeadpool & Wolverinewould directly set up theMCU’sAvengers: Secret Wars, the highly anticipated conclusion to the Multiverse Saga. Given thatSecret Warsis expected to involve a multiversal collision and feature characters from various realities, it seemed logical that Deadpool’s chaotic antics would trigger events leading into it. The theory suggested that Deadpool and Wolverine’s adventures through the multiversewould create the conditions necessary forSecret Warsto occur.
The apparent universe-melding nature ofDeadpool & Wolverinewould instigate the multiversal chaos predicted inSecret Wars. Instead,Deadpool & Wolverinehad little direct connection toSecret Wars. At best, itopened the door for franchise characters such as Jackman’s Wolverine to returninSecret Wars, but it did not serve as the linchpin for Marvel’s major crossover event.
9Deadpool & Wolverine Would Rewrite MCU History
Deadpool & Wolverine Barely Crossed Into The MCU
Another major theory suggested thatDeadpool & Wolverinewould act as a soft reboot for the MCU, allowing Marvel Studios to integrate characters and elements from Fox’sX-Menfranchise while discarding what no longer fit. The idea was that by the end of the film, the MCU would be reshaped, blending aspects of Fox’s continuity with the mainline MCU in preparation for future films. This theory gained traction due to the film’s multiversal premise and the growing perception that the MCU needed a creative refresh.
Many believedDeadpool & Wolverinecould be used to erase or rewrite elements of the past,streamlining the narrative for a new era. Given that Marvel has faced criticism for its increasingly complex timelines, some saw this as an opportunity for a reset. However, the film did not take this approach. Instead, it acted as a send-off for the Fox era, giving closure to its characters rather than rewriting history.
8Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine Was Manipulated By A Spider-Man Villain
Humans In Fact Killed The X-Men
One of the most intriguing theories suggested thatDeadpool & Wolverinewould incorporate a major plot element fromOld Man Loganthat had been left out ofLogan. Specifically, some posited thatWolverine had been tricked by Mysteriointo murdering the X-Men,similar to the comic storyline where an illusion led Logan to kill his own teammates. The trailers forDeadpool & Wolverineshowed Wolverine near what appeared to be X-Men graves, leading many to assume that this confirmed the Mysterio illusion theory.
This theory was strengthened by the idea that Marvelcould use a major Spider-Man villain depicted inSpider-Man: Far From Hometo connect the universes in a surprising way. However, this turned out not to be the case. Instead, the film revealed that the X-Men in Wolverine’s universe were killed by humans in his absence, not due to Mysterio’s deception.
7The TVA Hunt Wolverine Because Of His Actions In Days Of Future Past
Wolverine’s Death Triggered His Universe Being Destroyed
A prevalent theory suggested that Wolverine’s time-traveling actions inX-Men: Days of Future Pasthad drawn the attention of the Time Variance Authority. Given that the TVA polices timeline disruptions, some believed thatWolverine altering history inDays of Future Pastwould have made him a prime target. This theory was bolstered by the fact that the TVA was confirmed to play a role inDeadpool & Wolverine, and it made sense that their pursuit of Wolverine would be linked to his past timeline meddling.
Similarly, it was also suggested that the TVA was involved because of Deadpool’s time-travel inDeadpool 2.Neither of these were true, and instead revealed that Wolverine’s death inLogandoomed his timeline and Deadpool was being offered a chance to jump into a different timeline. This shift in focus made the TVA’s role doomed realities rather than tracking timeline alterations.
6Deadpool & Wolverine Would Begin The MCU’s Mutants Saga
No MCU Mutants Appeared In Deadpool & Wolverine
For years, audiences have been waiting for the MCU to formally introduce mutants. Though there are a handful of characters established, itseemed that the franchise was strugglingto justify an entire mutant population appearing in the timeline. With the knowledge that the MCU was making the thirdDeadpoolmovie, some speculated thatDeadpool & Wolverinewould be the moment when mutantswere officially integrated into the MCU.
It was thought that this could potentially feature characters from the Fox universe crossing into Marvel’s main timeline, including Wolverine and Deadpool themselves. However, whileDeadpool & Wolverineacknowledged the existence of mutants in the multiverse, itdid not bring any of them into the MCUtimeline. Mutants remain primarily a multiversal concept rather than a part of the main MCU narrative, with very few notable exceptions.
5Deadpool & Wolverine Would Permanently Join The MCU Timeline
Deadpool And Wolverine Remained In The Fox Timeline
One of the most widely believed theories was thatDeadpool & Wolverinewould permanently place both characters into the main MCU timeline. Given that Disney had acquired 20th Century Fox, and with Deadpool’s established ability to break the fourth wall,many assumed the film would use its multiversal chaos to make the transition official. Deadpool, in particular, was expected to fully integrate into the MCU for future team-ups, while Wolverine’s fate remained more uncertain.
However, the film did not take this route. Instead, Deadpool and Wolverine remained in their own universe, separate from the primary MCU timeline. The movie makes numerous jokes about Disney’s acquisition of Deadpool and Wolverine, but ultimately,they were not integrated at all. They now exist within the Marvel multiverse, so could reappear in the MCU’s future, but they have not officially joined the main timeline.
Given the film’s multiversal elements, some speculated thatDeadpool & Wolverinewould directly tie intoDoctor Strange 3. The appearance of a sling ring and portals in the trailersfueled theories that Doctor Strange himself might appear, or that the film would set up the next major multiversal conflict.Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessended on a cliffhanger, with incursions threatening the multiverse, and some believedDeadpool & Wolverinewould further this plot.
The MCU Keeps Blaming One Of Its Most Powerful Heroes For World Changing Marvel Events
The MCU has a culture of blame, but one hero in particular has bore the brunt of numerous universe-changing events, including in Marvel’s latest show.
However, these expectations were not met. WhileDeadpool & Wolverinefeatured elements of the multiverse, Doctor Strange did not make an appearance. The sling ring was used for portals, but there was no direct setup forDoctor Strange 3,nor any further explanation of incursions. The film stayed focused on Deadpool and Wolverine’s journey rather than expanding the larger multiversal storylines of the MCU.
3Deadpool Is Building A Multiverse Avengers
Deadpool Did Not Recruit A Team
Some theories suggested thatDeadpool & Wolverinewould see Deadpool recruiting heroes from across the multiverse to forma new Avengers-style team. This theory gained traction because of rumors about multiple legacy characters appearing, as well as Deadpool’s reputation for assembling ragtag groups of heroes in previous films. While the movie does feature Deadpool encountering various familiar characters in the Void, he does notbuild a Multiverse Avengers team.
Instead, the story remains centered on his partnership with Wolverine. The film does not establish a larger teamoutside of the characters residing in the Void, nor does it hint at Deadpool assembling heroes for a grander mission. While some classic Marvel characters make cameo appearances, they do not join Deadpool on any ongoing journey, making thisDeadpool & Wolverinetheory one of the most inaccurate.
2Deadpool & Wolverine Would Be Transported To The Endgame Final Battle
Deadpool And Wolverine Did Not Transport To Endgame
One of the more outlandish theories posited thatDeadpool & Wolverinewould be transported to the final battle ofAvengers: Endgame. This idea was based on the presence of portals in the trailers, which led some to believe thatDeadpool and Wolverine would somehow find themselves in the climactic fightagainst Thanos, either as active participants or comedic observers. However, this did not happen at all.
The portals in the trailers were used for different purposes, and theEndgamebattle remained untouched. The film stayed within its own multiversal setting, never directly interfering with past MCU events, despite many rumors that the moviewould deconstruct the MCU’s history. WhileDeadpool & Wolverineplayed with time travel and alternate universes, it did not include any sequences involving theEndgamefinal battle, rendering this theory completely inaccurate.
Prior to the release ofDeadpool & Wolverinea flood of casting rumors emerged, withsupposed industry insiders claiming that numerous classicX-Menactors would return. Reports suggested that Storm, Cyclops, Magneto, and Professor X would all make appearances, and some rumors even claimed that Liev Schreiber’s Sabretooth would return. Additionally, speculation ran rampant that Taylor Swift would cameo as Dazzler, and that Daniel Radcliffe might appear as a Wolverine variant.
10 Fake Leaks From Deadpool & Wolverine That Completely Threw Off Expectations
Deadpool & Wolverine was subject to some notorious leaks and rumors, but it turns out that some of these were faked by the filmmakers themselves.
WhileDeadpool & Wolverinedid feature many thrilling cameos, none of these rumored appearances came to fruition. Many of thesupposed leaks were exaggerated or entirely fabricated, and the final film did not include the large-scaleX-Menreunion that some audiences had subsequently expected. Although there were still plenty of surprises inDeadpool & Wolverine, this wave of casting rumors ultimately turned out to be inaccurate.
