Deadpool, the hilarious, fourth-wall-breaking antihero, has had quite the ride not just in his movies but also behind the scenes. But who owns the Deadpool movie franchise? Originally part of Fox’s X-Men universe, things changed big time when Disney bought 21st Century Fox in 2019. Now, Deadpool officially belongs to Marvel Studios, meaning he’s part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
So, what does this ownership shift mean for everyone’s favorite Merc with a Mouth? In this update, we’ll break down who owns the Deadpool movie franchise now, what’s next for him, and how he’s finally joining the MCU. Keep reading!
The Case of Deadpool: A Brief Overview of Ownership History
While Deadpool was always a character of Marvel Comics, his cinematic journey involves a different studio. Here’s a recap of the Deadpool franchise and the events that changed its ownership.
The Fox Era
In the 1990s, Marvel sold film rights to several of its characters (including Deadpool) to 20th Century Fox. This deal gave Fox the ability to add Deadpool to its X-Men cinematic universe. This resulted in his first appearance on-screen in X-Men Origins: Wolverine 2009 (though this version was a far cry from his comic origins).
In 2016, Deadpool’s true breakout moment came. This was when Fox released Deadpool, a standalone R-rated film starring Ryan Reynolds. The film’s massive success, followed by Deadpool 2 in 2018, cemented the character’s popularity. Yet, Deadpool’s movies were separate from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) because Fox owned the film rights. That was why there was confusion for some fans.
Disney’s Acquisition and the MCU Integration
This changed in 2019: Disney acquired 21st Century Fox officially and regained the rights to Deadpool, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four. This acquisition brought Deadpool back under Marvel Studios’ creative control, paving the way for his integration into the MCU.
Who Currently Owns the Deadpool Movie Franchise?
The current rights to the Deadpool movie franchise, answering the question of who owns Deadpool, are held by Disney through its subsidiary Marvel Studios. As noted above, that change came in 2019 after the Disney acquisition of 21st Century Fox went through.
With Disney’s acquisition of Fox, Marvel Studios regained control of Deadpool, along with other key Marvel properties like the X-Men and Fantastic Four. Not exerting ownership over Deadpool ensures his place in the greater MCU but does allow Marvel to develop his storyline in tandem with some of its most recognizable figures, the Avengers.
The first major result of this integration is the highly anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine (or Deadpool 3), which was released under Disney's banner in July 2024. For fans, this film is both the continuation of Deadpool films and the official introduction of the character to the MCU, fusing Deadpool’s irreverent vibe with Marvel’s interconnected storytelling.
What are the Potential Future Directions for Deadpool?
Under Disney’s leadership, Deadpool retains his signature R-rated tone while being brought into the MCU fold. It's a giant testament and more than promising that Deadpool is going to live on in a world of endless possibilities under the Marvel Studios banner.
With Deadpool officially part of the MCU, exciting opportunities lie ahead. This is likely due to Deadpool’s presence providing a bizarre yet perfect mixture of off-color jokes and fourth-wall-busting humor, which Marvel Studios tones down slightly for the overall family-friendly aesthetic of their universe.
1. Crossovers with MCU Heroes
Fans are chomping at the bit to witness Deadpool interact and possibly fight with characters like Thor, Spider-Man, and Doctor Strange. His wittier style would also be a perfect fit for darker properties, such as Blade or Daredevil: Born Again.
Deadpool’s inherently chaotic nature lends itself perfectly to being a part of Marvel’s ongoing Multiverse Saga, and we very well may see him show up as a meta-commentator on multiverse madness in Avengers: Secret Wars.
2. Continue to team up with the X-Men
Deadpool can be a vehicle to reboot the X-Men and reunite with old favorites, such as Wolverine and Storm. Him being in a future Avengers line-up would also introduce new comedic dynamics to the team.
Meanwhile, standalone films and spin-offs will likely continue. They'll maintain Deadpool’s R-rated tone. These could explore antiheroes like Cable, Domino, or an X-Force storyline.
With Marvel Studios leading the way, Deadpool’s future promises a perfect mix of solo adventures, crossovers, and MCU-breaking humor.
Wrap Up
So, who owns the Deadpool movie franchise? It’s now firmly in the hands of Marvel Studios under Disney, giving Deadpool the chance to shine in the MCU. This ownership shift promises exciting new adventures, epic crossovers, and the same R-rated humor fans love. With Deadpool & Wolverine leading the way, the future looks brighter (and bloodier) than ever for the Merc with a Mouth.
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