The excitement for Deadpool 4 is building, and fans are eager to see what’s next for the Merc with a Mouth. After the massive success of Deadpool & Wolverine, it’s clear that this isn’t the last we’ll see of Wade Wilson and Logan. But where can the MCU take these characters next? We believe the answer lies with the X-Force—a secretive, black ops team of the world’s most skilled mutants, formed to eliminate threats to mutant-kind. In this article, we’ll explain who X-Force is, how it could be introduced in Deadpool 4, and how this movie could set the stage for the next chapter of the MCU: the Mutant Saga.
Why Deadpool 4 Should Be an X-Force Movie
After Deadpool & Wolverine, it’s clear that Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman have undeniable chemistry as Wade Wilson and Logan. The film broke records and has been hailed as one of the best MCU movies since Avengers: Endgame. While the MCU is expected to eventually reboot the X-Men with a new Wolverine actor, Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine isn’t going anywhere just yet. According to Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, Jackman is sticking around for at least a while longer, even through Secret Wars and Avengers: Doomsday. As Ryan Reynolds joked, Jackman could be playing Wolverine until he’s 90!
But what comes after Secret Wars? That’s where X-Force comes in. While Deadpool 2 briefly featured an X-Force team (albeit as a gag), the true version of the team from the comics would be a far more serious, darker take. The X-Force in Deadpool 4 would be a brutal, no-nonsense group of mutants working behind the scenes, away from the main X-Men storylines, to take out threats in secret.
The concept of X-Force was originally created by Rob Liefeld in the early 1990s, with Cable leading a group of young mutants as a militaristic strike force. Over the years, the team has had several incarnations, but one of the most popular versions was the 2008 black ops team led by Wolverine in the Messiah Complex storyline. This dark, gritty take on the team is what fans are hoping to see in Deadpool 4.
Wolverine’s Role in the X-Force Movie
Logan’s involvement with X-Force makes perfect sense. Wolverine, as a character, has always struggled with his violent past. He’s tried to distance himself from the life of a killer, but it’s a habit he can never quite shake. This internal conflict would be a driving force in Deadpool 4. Alongside Deadpool, who also struggles with his darker instincts, Wolverine could lead a new version of X-Force—a team that operates in the shadows, handling missions that the X-Men can’t.
By the end of Deadpool & Wolverine, Logan finds some peace, but he’s still haunted by the trauma of losing the X-Men in his universe. The massacre of mutants in his timeline left deep emotional scars, and in Deadpool 4, this unresolved pain could drive him to take drastic measures to protect mutant-kind in the MCU’s new timeline.
Setting Up X-Force After Secret Wars
The upcoming Secret Wars will likely reset the MCU, potentially merging the multiverse into one unified timeline. But even with this reboot, the MCU could keep Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine as part of the X-Force while introducing a new Wolverine actor for the X-Men movies. This way, the franchise could have two versions of Wolverine: Jackman’s Logan working behind the scenes with X-Force, and a new actor portraying Wolverine in the more traditional X-Men stories.
X-Force could work perfectly within this new continuity. Unlike the X-Men, who operate more publicly as heroes, the X-Force would be a covert team, tackling threats in secret and doing whatever it takes to protect mutant-kind. This would allow Jackman’s Wolverine to continue as a grizzled, battle-hardened version of the character, while the new Wolverine could fit into the broader, more heroic stories of the X-Men.
The X-Force Lineup: Who Will Join the Team?
So, who could join the X-Force in Deadpool 4? The obvious candidates are Deadpool, Wolverine, and Cable. These three already have a history together from Deadpool 2, and their personalities and fighting styles complement each other perfectly. But the X-Force lineup could include some new faces as well. X-23, Wolverine’s clone daughter, could easily join the team. Her brutal fighting skills and her connection to Logan make her a natural fit.
We could also see the return of characters like Domino and Shatterstar, both of whom made their debuts in Deadpool 2. Even Colossus, despite being more of a morally upright X-Man, could find himself joining X-Force for the greater good. There’s also the possibility of introducing new characters to round out the team. One interesting option is Gambit, a fan-favorite mutant who has yet to appear in the MCU but was briefly referenced in a deleted scene from Deadpool 2. His unique powers and shady past could make him an intriguing addition to the X-Force lineup.
The Role of Cable and Time Travel
Cable’s return is crucial to the X-Force storyline. In Deadpool 2, Cable’s future was changed when Wade prevented Russell from becoming a villain. However, as with all things involving time travel, this may have only made things worse. In Deadpool 4, Cable could be on a new mission: to protect a young girl named Hope, who holds the key to the future of mutant-kind.
In the comics, Hope Summers is the first mutant born after the near-extinction of mutants, and she is closely tied to the Phoenix Force, the powerful cosmic entity that once bonded with Jean Grey. Protecting Hope could become the main objective of X-Force in the MCU. Cable, who raised Hope in the future, would bring her back to the present to keep her safe from those who seek to harm her—including Mr. Sinister, a villain deeply connected to the X-Men’s history.
Introducing Mr. Sinister and Apocalypse
Speaking of villains, X-Force is the perfect opportunity to introduce one of the X-Men’s most iconic enemies: Mr. Sinister. Nathaniel Essex, a 19th-century scientist turned immortal mutant, has a dark obsession with creating the perfect race of mutants. He was recruited by Apocalypse, an ancient and powerful mutant who believes in survival of the fittest.
Sinister has a deep connection to both Cable and Apocalypse in the comics. He manipulated the genetics of Scott Summers (Cyclops) and Jean Grey to create Cable, whom he believes is the key to defeating Apocalypse. Bringing Mr. Sinister and Apocalypse into the MCU’s mutant saga would raise the stakes considerably. Sinister’s twisted experiments and obsession with evolution make him a perfect villain for X-Force to face in Deadpool 4.
How Hope Summers Connects to the Phoenix Force
Hope Summers’ role in the mutant saga could also be tied to the Phoenix Force. In the comics, the Phoenix represents a cosmic force of destruction and rebirth. Hope was seen as the “mutant messiah,” the first mutant born after the near-extinction of her race, and she was destined to become the next host of the Phoenix.
In the MCU, Hope’s connection to the Phoenix could serve as the catalyst for a larger storyline involving both the X-Men and the Avengers. If the Phoenix Force is reborn in the multiverse, Hope could be its next host, leading to conflict between the X-Men, who seek to protect her, and the Avengers, who view her as a potential threat.
This could even set the stage for an Avengers vs. X-Men storyline down the road. The X-Force, operating in secret, would play a key role in protecting Hope from those who seek to control her or use her power for their own ends—particularly Mr. Sinister and Apocalypse.
Conclusion: The Future of X-Force in the MCU
An X-Force movie would be the perfect next step for Deadpool, Wolverine, and Cable in the MCU. Not only would it bring together a team of morally complex, hard-hitting mutants, but it would also lay the groundwork for the larger mutant saga, introducing key characters like Mr. Sinister, Hope Summers, and Apocalypse. Whether or not the X-Force operates in the main MCU timeline or a separate universe, their actions could have ripple effects throughout the multiverse, setting up epic confrontations with the Phoenix Force, Apocalypse, and possibly even the Avengers.
With the future of mutants hanging in the balance, X-Force could be the secret weapon the MCU needs to protect the next generation of mutants from extinction. Whether it’s in the shadows or on the front lines, X-Force has the potential to reshape the future of the MCU in dramatic ways, and Deadpool 4 is the perfect place to make it happen.