Deadpool 3 Should Bring Back X-Force (For Good)

Kevin Feige’s confirmation that Deadpool will be added to the MCU means Deadpool 3 should bring back the X-Force for good. While the project is still in its infancy, initial projections expect Deadpool 3 to hit theaters sometime in 2023, potentially as a box-office coda to the MCU’s phase 4. Marvel Studios president Feige has stated that Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool will officially join the MCU while keeping his synonymous R rating, which reopens the tantalizing possibility of other canceled 20th Century Fox projects integrated into Marvel’s wildly successful cinematic universe.

One such canceled 20th Century Fox project is X-Force, originally designed as a Deadpool spinoff starring recurring characters Cable (Josh Brolin) and Domino (Zazie Beetz), who form a new crime-fighting superteam. Along with all future X-Men films, Disney put the project on hold following their acquisition of 20th Century Fox being completed in March 2019. The pause was also owed in part to Ryan Reynolds stating he would not reprise his character Deadpool for the spinoff at the time of the company takeover.

Yet, the revival of the upcoming Deadpool 3 movie as an MCU property means the film should also bring back the X-Force in a much more concrete way. The X-Force’s re-integration into the Deadpool franchise represents a trove of untapped potential for the MCU, with many interesting X-Force members to be introduced and further developed in the narrative. The first glimpse of the X-Force in Deadpool 2 was also a criminally underwhelming moment, with the film utilizing the team as slapstick comical relief instead of exploring the potent potential of iconic X-Force members.

Who Are The X-Force?

While there are several iterations of Marvel Comics’ X-Force, the most popular by far is the team that debuted in X-Men ’92. The iconic ensemble consists of Cable, the apocalyptic supersoldier; Domino, the mutant with perpetually lucky powers; Deadpool, the regenerating “merc with a mouth;” Psylocke, a powerful telepath; Archangel, the flying Cheyarafim; and Bishop, the Alpha-energy mutant. The X-Force of 92′ does battle with the Mutant Liberation Front, a superpowered terrorist organization led by Cable’s eventual nemesis, Stryfe. As a somewhat violent successor to the X-Men, X-Force takes a more militant and aggressive approach towards their enemies than their mutant brethren, often spurred on by their ruthless leader Cable. The X-Force series laid down a marker as one of the most successful comics of the 1990s, with its final issue New Mutants #100 ranking as the second-highest-grossing American comic book of all time with over 5 million copies sold.

Why Deadpool 3 Should Bring Back X-Force

Deadpool 2‘s use of the X-Force was as sparing as it was underwhelming, with the team’s main role designated to provide fleeting comic relief. Deadpool‘s decision to have each X-Force member (minus Domino) die through a combination of ineptitude and bad luck following their introduction completely underlines the plot’s wasteful approach to an otherwise fascinating set of characters. A prime example of Deadpool 2‘s flippant approach to the X-Force is Lewis Tan’s Shatterstar (real name Rusty), who is unceremoniously turned into mincemeat by helicopter blades. Rusty states during his X-Force interview with Deadpool that he is an alien hailing from the planet Mojoworld, but his rich promise is never explored outside of his green blood confirming his heritage. In contrast, Marvel Comics’ Shatterstar is a genetically enhanced extra-terrestrial being capable of superspeed, controlling electricity, and superhuman strength. Initially introduced in Marvel comics canon to battle Cable, Domino, and the other New Mutants, Shatterstar eventually lends his considerable skills as a warrior to a revamped version of the X-Force after freeing his home planet from the tyrannical leader Mojo.

Shatterstar’s is just one of numerous fascinating plot examples that Feige and company could choose to reintegrate X-Force into the MCU alongside Deadpool’s return. The MCU’s phase 4’s increased focus on the multiverse means no narrative options can be ruled out as being introduced into the fray. Several Deadpool 2 post-credits scenes show Cable’s time travel device being deployed, including bringing back Peter Wisdom, which highlights the ease with which the MCU could reverse the untimely snub of the other X-Force members if they so choose. No doubt, this could fail as a cheap plot device, but it’s not outside the bounds of possibility or believability within the MCU’s complex multiverse.

Who Would Star In The Revamped X-Force?

The other argument for bringing back the X-Force in a more permanent way stems from the initial efforts made for Deadpool 3‘s production by 20th Century Fox. Leaked concept art from the 2015 project shows Cable, Domino, Warpath, Cannonball, and Feral as the revamped X-Force team members. Olivia Munn’s Psylocke from X-Men: Apocalypse was also rumored to appear in the film due to her character’s prominence in the X-Men 92′ comic books. This already advanced stage of the project displays the faith 20th Century Fox had in Deadpool 3‘s success even without the MCU’s phase 4, meaning Disney likely still has this shelved material tucked away for future use.

As a result, the X-Force is already primed to make its comeback and subsequent MCU entrance. Recreating the 92′ X-Force is the most likely destination for Marvel’s Deadpool 3, given the close proximity of its most iconic members to the project. Ryan Reynolds will, of course, return as the defining iteration of Deadpool, while Brolin and Beetz have also signaled they continued to desire to reprise their roles as Cable and Domino, respectively. The MCU has already proven it will integrate characters based on their potential for success instead of their overall level of popularity, meaning that a move for Olivia Munn as Psylocke remains likely given her huge impression on X-Men: Apocalypse, despite her character’s limited screen time. This leaves just Archangel and Bishop to be cast to complete the X-Force team that became a staple of the X-Men canon two decades ago. With five X-Men characters already confirmed to appear in the MCU, including Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness‘ Magik and The Marvels‘ Rogue, do not bet against Deadpool 3 running the full gamut on its formal MCU introduction and bringing back the X-Force.