Ryan Reynolds Hints No At ‘Deadpool’ 4: ‘I Don’t Think I Can Do That Again’

Ryan Reynolds recently sat down with Andrew Garfield for Variety’s popular “Actors on Actors” feature, where he opened up about the future of Deadpool and the toll the character takes on his personal life.

Worth a mention is that following Deadpool & Wolverine bringing in $1.3 billion, Reynolds announced he isn’t doing a sequel but is reuniting with both Hugh Jackman and Shawn Levy on a non-Marvel movie.

Deadpool’s Future: Scarcity, Surprise, and a Step Back?

Reynolds reflected on what makes Deadpool work, suggesting that the character thrives on “scarcity and surprise.” He explained:

“I don’t know. Honestly, my feeling is that the character works very well in two ways. One is scarcity and surprise. So it had been six years since the last one, and part of the reason is that it swallows my whole life. I have four kids, and I don’t ever want to be an absentee [dad].”

Reynolds says that balancing his career with fatherhood is a priority and shared the emotional impact of missing important moments with his children:

“I kind of die inside when I see their faces and they do a sports thing or something and I missed it.”

While he didn’t rule out a future for Deadpool, Reynolds hinted at a possible end to the character in his own movies:

“Deadpool’s a supporting character much more than he is the center. We center him sometimes because that’s what they want but you can’t center him unless you take everything away from him. You have to create a situation where he’s so much the underdog. I don’t think I can do that again.”

He even suggested Wade Wilson’s next appearance could be something like a sidekick or a supporting character:

“If he comes back, it’s gonna be in someone else’s movie. Channing Tatum…I would happily be a fifth banana in his movie or anyone else.”

Andrew Garfield to Ryan Reynolds: “No, but seriously, though. What does the future hold? For Deadpool and Wolverine and the franchise?” #ActorsOnActors https://t.co/bJohcw40hA pic.twitter.com/JxBCf5LPja

— Variety (@Variety) December 9, 2024

Ryan Reynolds says he sees Deadpool as more of a supporting character: “If he comes back, it’s gonna be in someone else’s movie. Channing Tatum…I would happily be a fifth banana in his movie or anyone else’s.” | #ActorsOnActors https://t.co/bJohcw40hA pic.twitter.com/dMnbgFieFr

— Variety (@Variety) December 9, 2024

New Non-Marvel Project with Hugh Jackman and Shawn Levy

Regarding the non-Marvel movie, last month during an episode of the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, Reynolds confirmed that he’s working on a non-Marvel project with Jackman and Deadpool 3 director Shawn Levy:

“I’m spending the year writing. I’m writing a movie for myself, Hugh [Jackman] and Shawn [Levy] to do that is not Marvel.”

While Reynolds kept the specifics under wraps, the article noted his excitement for the project was “fresh and unexpected.”

Kevin Feige Weighs In on more Deadpool and Wolverine

Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige also chimed in week later at the D23 Expo in Brazil, noting that nothing is planned for Deadpool and Wolverine:

“The plans with Deadpool and Wolverine will always be the same: we’re always wondering where we can fit them in, and how fast.”

What’s next for Deadpool & Wolverine?

Rumors do offer that Feige wants Hugh Jackman to stick around the MCU as Wolverine until Avengers: Secret Wars. Interestingly, there haven’t been any rumors about the future of Deadpool in the MCU. It also has to be questioned why Disney and Marvel wouldn’t want a sequel to Deadpool & Wolverine right away — unless of course, per above, Reynolds doesn’t want to do it.

Reynolds has also been teasing a Deadpool Christmas Special of some sort so be on the look out for that this Holiday season.