Amid the ongoing legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, reports suggest an MCU reset is underway, and that Disney and Marvel are determined to keep future Deadpool plans secret and out of the spotlight.
MCU reboot underway?
The report comes from Deadline, which, in detailing how Disney and Marvel are refusing to hand over information about “Nicepool” to Baldoni’s legal team, notes that it’s happening “in the midst of resetting the MCU with upcoming Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four.”
Recently, Joe and Anthony Russo teased that their upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars films are rebooting the MCU as well, as they said:
“What’s compelling about these two new Avengers movies is they’re a beginning. It’s a new beginning. We told an ending story, now we’re going to tell a beginning story.”
Kevin Feige has also confirmed a new age of mutants will follow Secret Wars.
Inside the Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, and Ryan Reynolds Legal Battle
The $400 Million Lawsuit and Allegations
Regarding what is going on with the court case, long story short, there’s a big legal fight going on between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively over Lively accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment during the making of It Ends With Us.
Baldoni then sued for defamation and extortion for a whopping $400 million.
Baldoni’s side also believes that Ryan Reynolds played a big behind-the-scenes role in helping Lively, smearing Baldoni, and making everything go public.
The “Nicepool” Controversy
Baldoni’s side claims “Nicepool,” a version of Deadpool played by Reynolds in Deadpool & Wolverine, mocks Baldoni, specifically making fun of his “man bun” and image (there has been an argument made online that if Lively was really harassed by Baldoni, that her husband wouldn’t create a character and mock him and use the character in a big MCU movie).
So Baldoni and his legal team are trying to get information by subpoenaing documents from Marvel about Nicepool.
Disney and Marvel Fight Back to Protect MCU Secrets
However, Disney/Marvel is arguing the info is ongoing and sensitive and could reveal confidential info about the future of Deadpool in the MCU and the movies.
Handing over the private documents (like how Nicepool was created and internal communications) could hurt Marvel’s secret movie plans.
To boot, Reynolds is trying to get himself dismissed from Baldoni’s lawsuit, so Disney is arguing that it’s unfair to demand Marvel hand over documents right now.
Disney/Marvel argue:
“The requested documents are particularly sensitive because they relate to the development of a character in an ongoing movie franchise. Marvel has built the success of the MCU in large part by interconnecting storylines, plots, and characters across its titles, including ‘crossover’ events and sequels. Whether and how such elements will appear in upcoming, unreleased projects is the subject of much public interest, and this information is closely guarded by Marvel.”
“The discovery sought from Marvel is broad, disclosure of these confidential documents would prejudice Marvel, and Reynolds’ motion presents ‘substantial grounds for dismissal.’ At the same time, the Wayfarer Parties would not be prejudiced by a stay.”
Baldoni’s Subpoena for Marvel’s Deadpool Documents
But Baldoni’s team is arguing they still need Marvel’s info because it relates to the case against Lively, too.
They even offered to “narrow” the request, just to stuff about Nicepool and Reynolds making fun of Baldoni, to be less of a burden on Marvel, potentially spilling Deadpool MCU details.
They also argue Deadpool & Wolverine is already finished and has been released, so it’s not really a secret anymore.
What Happens Next in the Legal Fight
Disney and Marvel are firing back that even small details could leak upcoming MCU plans. They are also trying to stretch things until the judge makes a ruling about whether or not to dismiss Reynolds from the case as a defendant.
Obviously, this is all a big mess. The trial is due to start March 9, 2026.
What’s next for Deadpool in the MCU?
Marvel hasn’t officially announced anything about Deadpool’s future in the MCU.
Following the big release of Deadpool & Wolverine, which brought in $1.3 billion, Marvel confirmed Channing Tatum will be back for Avengers: Doomsday.
Reynolds also recently said he wants to see more from Wesley Snipes as Blade, but for now, it only seems as if Gambit will be appearing in the MCU.
However, obviously, if Disney and Marvel want to keep details about Deadpool secret, it’s safe to say there is a future for the Merc With A Mouth in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
