The possibilities in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) are constantly expanding. Thanks to alternate timelines, the multiverse, and Disney buying Fox Studios a few years back, almost anything is possible. With alternate timelines and the multiverse, previously dead characters can conceivably be reimagined or brought back to the main timeline.
Audiences saw on Loki how the reality of alternate timelines allows the God of Mischief a ‘second chance’ at life. In WandaVision, audiences witnessed a resurrected and slightly altered Vision take flight. The reality of the multiverse in Spider-Man: No Way Home allows for different versions of the same character to exist in the same universe.
When Disney bought Fox Studios, Marvel fans were simply delighted. This ushered in the ability for the X-Men and the Fantastic Four to become a part of the MCU. Furthermore, Disney’s partnership with Sony has allowed Spider-Man to be a part of the MCU since 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. Many characters will benefit from all of these changes to the MCU, but perhaps none so much as Deadpool. The fourth-wall-breaking Merc with a Mouth would have a blast interacting with the overwhelming number of superheroes and supervillains that the MCU has to offer.
However, this probably would not be a two-way street. It would not make sense for Deadpool to appear in a Spider-Man or Captain America film, for example. Those characters are fairly pure in heart, and are the boy-scouts of the MCU. Deadpool is a sex-loving, foul-mouthed, murdering mercenary. His appearance in one of their projects would taint its image and tone. But, this does not mean that MCU superheroes and supervillains cannot appear in a Deadpool project. Who could audiences expect to make an appearance in Deadpool 3?
The X-Men
The X-Men are a fairly obvious choice. The X-Men are mutants and Deadpool is a mutant. Deadpool even shows up at Xavier’s mansion in Deadpool and Deadpool 2. Furthermore, Deadpool and the X-Men have plenty of adventures together (some amiable and some adversarial) in Marvel Comics lore.
Deadpool is even an X-Man on occasion, particularly within the secretive mutant special ops team that is X-Force. Deadpool teased X-Force in Deadpool 2, but this turned out to be a bit of a gag. With the full might of the MCU at his fingertips, Deadpool could truly be a part of a real X-Force team.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man and Deadpool have interacted multiple times across different comic book titles. They even had their own shared title, Spider-Man/Deadpool which ran for three years. Both are humorous characters with a flair for the dramatic. Spider-Man’s strong moral compass and Deadpool’s penchant for chaos leave for endless possibilities for adventure and hilarity.
Other NYC-based Superheroes
Although Spider-Man is the most high-profile superhero based in New York City, he is far from the only one. Deadpool has a fairly high number of them that he can bounce off of.
Kate Bishop (Hawkeye) is based in Manhattan and has recently been introduced to the MCU. Furthermore, the characters from the now defunct Marvel Netflix shows are all Manhattan-based: Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Iron Fist. These are all fairly stoic superheroes, and Deadpool’s humor would contrast well with their steadfastness.
Captain America
In Marvel Comics, the most prominent New York City-based superhero is Captain America. Recently, Sam Wilson has taken over the mantle of Captain America for a now elderly Steve Rodgers. Captain America’s stoicism would really shine when paired either with or against Deadpool. Furthermore, since Deadpool is a mercenary, perhaps Captain America would hire Deadpool to get his hands dirty on behalf of the U.S. government or S.H.I.E.L.D.
The Winter Soldier
Few characters in the MCU have as dark a past and as horrible an origin story as Deadpool. The Winter Soldier is one of those characters who can match Deadpool’s past when it comes to pain and tragedy.
Both Deadpool and the Winter Soldier were experimented on and augmented, giving them their superhuman abilities. Although the Winter Soldier was brainwashed, both characters have served as guns-for-hire – Deadpool for various clientele and the Winter Soldier for the Soviet government. Having these two either clash or team up would make for interesting on-screen banter and/or bonding.
Loki
Deadpool is the Merc with a Mouth. Loki is the God of Mischief. This is a pairing just waiting to happen, and would result in much humor and shenanigans. Furthermore, since Deadpool breaks the fourth wall, he could actually talk to the audience about alternate timelines. He could wonder aloud why Loki is still alive while out-pranking the famous Marvel mischief-maker.
No matter who ends up making an appearance in Deadpool 3, it is going to be a joy to watch Marvel’s most famous mercenary finally make his MCU debut. However, the character’s penchant for foul language, sexual conduct, and over-the-top violence means he might not appear in other solo MCU projects.