Summary

• Deadpool 3 is set to bring back familiar faces from Fox's X-Men franchise, including characters like Wolverine, Colossus, and Vanessa, creating hype for the film.
• Dafne Keen's return as an adult version of Laura Kinney, aka X-23, in Deadpool 3 is highly anticipated due to her praised portrayal in Logan, especially since Hugh Jackman is also returning as Wolverine.
• There is speculation that characters like Professor X, Magneto, Storm, Jean Grey, Cyclops, Daredevil, Blade, Doctor Doom, and possibly Taylor Swift as Dazzler could make appearances in Deadpool 3, further adding to the excitement and potential for the film.

Many characters from Marvel's film history have been rumored to be making cameo appearances in Marvel Studios' multiverse adventure, Deadpool 3. After Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox was finalized in 2019, Ryan Reynolds was confirmed to be making the move from Fox's X-Men franchise into the MCU proper. This is set to take place in 2024's Deadpool 3, which will continue Wade Wilson's story that started in Fox's franchise, bringing the Merc with a Mouth into the MCU permanently. With at least some of Deadpool 3 thought to be set in an alternate reality, the opportunity is there for many previous live-action characters to make one final appearance.

Several characters from Fox's X-Men franchise have already been confirmed to be ing Deadpool 3's cast, including Stefan Kapičić's Colossus, Morena Baccarin's Vanessa, and perhaps most excitedly, Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. With Deadpool 3 expected to be exploring the multiverse more than any previous MCU project, it's thought that several characters from other live-action franchises could also be making appearances. Between 2000 and 2020, 20th Century Fox brought several characters from Marvel Comics to life in a variety of projects, and while not all of these were successful, the chance that these twelve candidates may be reappearing in Deadpool 3 has built a huge amount of hype for the film.

12 Dafne Keen as Laura Kinney, A.K.A. X-23

Dafne Keen was twelve years old when she appeared as Laura Kinney in 2017's Logan, but recent rumors suggest she could be returning as an adult version of the character in 2024's Deadpool 3. Laura was a young mutant created using Wolverine's DNA, effectively making her Wolverine's daughter, and while her father tragically ed away during Logan, Laura's fate was left uncertain as she moved on with her mutant friends to apparent safety. Keen's portrayal of X-23 was highly praised, so the potential of her return in Deadpool 3 is very exciting, particularly since Hugh Jackman is also returning as Wolverine in the film.

11 Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier, A.K.A. Professor X

Patrick Stewart currently holds the title of longest-running character in a Marvel franchise, following his appearance in 2022's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as a variant of his iconic X-Men character, Professor X. Hugh Jackman is set to beat this record when he appears in Deadpool 3, but Patrick Stewart has teased his involvement in Deadpool 3, too, meaning the pair could be neck-and-neck once again. As the leader of the X-Men in Fox's shared universe, Professor X would be a great addition to Deadpool 3, though whether Stewart portrays his original character or another variant is yet to be seen.

10 Ian McKellen as Erik Lehnsherr, A.K.A. Magneto

It's difficult to imagine Patrick Stewart returning as Professor X without also seeing the return of Ian McKellen as his old friend and archenemy Magneto. McKellen hasn't been seen in the role since 2014's X-Men: Days of Future Past, but since this film ended with Wolverine fixing the timeline, it can be assumed that Magneto is alive and back to his villainous ways. There's been speculated that Deadpool 3 could feature a variant of Magneto from Earth-838, the reality explored in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, perhaps seeking revenge on those who killed his friend and possessed his daughter (potentially the Scarlet Witch) to massacre the Illuminati.

9 Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff, A.K.A. Scarlet Witch

Elizabeth Olsen's break from Marvel Studios has been reported on recently, as the actor revealed she spent the previous four years playing Wanda Maximoff and wants to focus on other opportunities. This likely means that her rumored appearance in Deadpool 3 won't come to fruition, but it would perhaps make sense for her to appear nevertheless. With the prospect of Magneto making a cameo appearance, Deadpool 3 could establish a familial connection between the pair, and since the Scarlet Witch became one of the MCU's most popular characters in Phase 4, it would be great to see her return.

8 Channing Tatum as Remy LeBeau, A.K.A. Gambit

Channing Tatum was previously expected to star in a 20th Century Fox film as Remy LaBeau, a.k.a. Gambit, but the film spent years in development hell and was eventually canceled. Despite this, many are still calling for Tatum to appear as Gambit in the MCU's future, and Deadpool 3 could create the perfect opportunity for him to finally portray his long-anticipated mutant hero. This would perhaps only be a brief appearance, paying off years of teasing Tatum in the role. Taylor Kitsch portrayed Gambit in 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine, but it would be cathartic to see Channing Tatum finally assume the role of Gambit in live-action.

7 Halle Berry as Ororo Munroe, A.K.A. Storm

Along with Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen being rumored to appear in Deadpool 3, several of Fox's original X-Men cast have also been rumored, including Halle Berry's Storm. Berry debuted as Storm in 2000's X-Men as a pivotal member of the X-Men and went on to appear in each of the original films and Days of Future Past, which left her alive and well by the end of the film. This means she has the perfect opportunity to return, and since she recently posted a photo of herself with Storm's signature white hair (via Twitter), speculation has only risen that she'll be returning to the role in Deadpool 3.

6 Famke Janssen as Jean Grey

Famke Janssen was introduced as Jean Grey in 2000's X-Men, forming an instant connection to Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, which would be fantastic to revisit in Deadpool 3 if Janssen returns. Fox's Jean Grey (portrayed by both Janssen and Sophie Turner) became the subject of several attempts at bringing Marvel Comics' Dark Phoenix Saga to the big screen, and since both were poorly received, it would be brilliant to see Janssen's Jean Grey return on a quest for redemption. Her appearance in Deadpool 3 could give her a chance to show off her power without being bogged down in the Dark Phoenix storyline, perhaps giving her a strong send-off.

5 James Marsden as Scott Summers, A.K.A. Cyclops

Rounding off Fox's original X-Men team is James Marsden's Scott Summers, a.k.a. Cyclops, who perhaps needs more redemption than any other character from Fox's franchise. In Marvel Comics, Cyclops is a natural-born leader of the X-Men, but in the live-action franchise, he was completely wasted and killed off before he had the chance to actually do much. If he does appear, it's likely that his potential role would only be brief, as the role will likely be recast for the MCU's future.

4 Ben Affleck as Matt Murdock, A.K.A. Daredevil

Before starring as Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. Batman, in the DC Extended Universe, Ben Affleck appeared as Matt Murdock in Fox's Daredevil, released in 2003. While Charlie Cox has since gone on to become synonymous with the role of the blind lawyer-come-vigilante, 2003's Daredevil was a slight success, though viewers were divided on Affleck's portrayal of the titular character. Nevertheless, Affleck has been rumored to be appearing in Deadpool 3, reprising the role of Daredevil now that he's hung up the cape and cowl of the DCEU's Batman. This is made more likely as Jennifer Garner has been confirmed to be returning as Daredevil's Elektra Natchios in Deadpool 3.

3 Wesley Snipes as Eric Brooks, A.K.A. Blade

1998's Blade is widely regarded as Marvel's first successful live-action film, helping to kick-start the superhero revolution that has spanned the last two-and-a-half decades. Wesley Snipes debuted as Eric Brooks in Blade, a half-vampire "daywalker" who hunts vampires with his team, and though Mahershala Ali is set to debut as the MCU's Eric Brooks in the 2025 Blade reboot, many still praise Snipes' portrayal of the character, leading to rumors of him appearing in Deadpool 3 before Ali takes over the role. This would also create some opportunities for Deadpool's signature humor, as Ryan Reynolds appeared in 2004's Blade: Trinity as Hannibal King opposite Snipes' Blade.