A new look at Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine was certainly full of goodies for eagle-eye (and not-so-eagle-eyed fans). From a Giant-Man’s head being used as a base for Cassandra Nova’s Void wasteland crew, to quick peeks at Azazel and Lady Deathstrike to Hugh Jackman‘s Wolverine Variant wearing the classic, sleeveless uniform, the trailer seemed to catch the fancy of most fans. However, given everything that’s (mostly) public knowledge about the film, it’s hard not to feel like through two trailers there’s a whole lot more we have not seen…and that’s a good thing! And according to one scooper with a very solid track record on Marvel Studios’ projects, two characters who have been rumored to appear but have yet to be seen in any footage or promo art for the film are set to play a surprisingly larger role than most expected.
According to Daniel RPK, Dafne Keen‘s X-23 and Channing Tatum‘s Gambit both have “decent-sized” roles in the film rather than just cameos. Tatum’s potential role in the film was the subject of a recent rumor that indicated the actor would finally get to try out his Cajun accent after his solo Gambit project was scrapped following the Disney/Fox deal. Given the presence of the 20th Century Studios sign in the Void, there’s plenty of room for some jokes about how the film–which was in development for 3+ years–was pruned from some timeline out in the vast Multiverse.
Given that the Void is the primary setting for the project, there’s no doubt that any number of characters and Variants of them from the Fox X-Men films (made and unmade) could show up in Deadpool & Wolverine. We’ll all find out together which characters made the cut when the film hits theaters on July 26th.
Marvel Studios’ only 2024 theatrical release, Deadpool & Wolverine, hits theaters in just 3 months and while plenty about the film’s plot has made its way online through leaks, the latest trailer for the film just revealed a pretty big piece of information about one of the titular characters.
While most of the speculation around how Wade Wilson and Logan end up working together revolved around Wade plucking Wolverine from the timeline seen in 2018’s Logan, it turns out that the Wolverine in the film is a Variant that, as far as we can tell, from an alternate universe that we haven’t seen before.
As revealed during the trailer by Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr. Paradox, “this Wolverine let his entire world down.”
Be honest with yourself: do you truly know the rules of Marvel Studios’ Multiverse? If the answer is yes, good for you; however, the vast majority of fans tuning in to watch the latest streaming series or heading into theaters for the next big MCU film don’t know a Nexus Point from a Jump Point. So while hardcore fans might love to debate what should or should not be counted as canon or what projects should be on the Sacred Timeline, it’s really not that big of a deal to most fans. However, according to Emi Yonemura, who directed two episodes of Marvel Animation’s X-Men ’97, Marvel Studios One Above All, Kevin Feige, almost made a change so big it would have grabbed everyone’s attention.
In an interview with Inverse, Yonemura revealed that Feige considered setting the events of X-Men ’97 firmly within the MCU’s Sacred Timeline. “That has always been something we know was on Kevin Feige’s mind, do we make this part of the MCU? Do we not make this part of the MCU?” said Yonemura. “It’s actually gone back and forth quite a few times, and I think we did land in a smart place because [X-Men: The Animated Series] was its own thing, and I think that to continue it we needed to be our own thing.“
While it’s not entirely clear how X-Men ’97–or its predecessor, X-Men: The Animated Series–would have fit within the current parameters of the Sacred Timeline, another member of ’97s creative team is glad the decision was made to keep it separate. “We’re getting the X-Men in this format and we’re doing it justice not just by ourselves, but also other fans as well, and we’re starting to get a resurgence of the X-Men in film again,” said director Jake Castorena. “I love that. And I think it’s great that we can have different things, let them be different.”
According to Castorena, “it’s all connected” actually presents its own set of problems. “If you try to connect things like that, it may or may not, I dare not say hinder storytelling, but let them do their stories,” Castorena continued. “Let us do our stories and let the rest of the world eat it up, man.” With a Multiverse full of possibilities and hundreds of great X-Men stories that have yet to be told through animation or live-action, there should be plenty for the world to eat up for the foreseeable future.
In an interview with Deadline, Holland explained that while there’s still work to do on getting the fourth installment in the franchise up and running, he will “I’ll always want to do Spider-Man films.”
“The simple answer is that I’ll always want to do Spider-Man films,” Holland explained to Deadline when asked if he planned to return to the dual roles of Peter Parker and Spider-Man. “I owe my life and career to Spider-Man. So the simple answer is yes. I’ll always want to do more.” And while those comments will certainly relieve any anxiety fans have about seeing the character return to action in the MCU, Holland once again shared that his return for a follow-up to Spider-Man: No Way Home is dependent on a story that does the character justice.
“We have the best in the business working toward whatever the story might be. But until we’ve cracked it, we have a legacy to protect,” said Holland. “The third movie was so special in so many ways that we need to make sure we do the right thing.” The actor then revealed that he’s working behind the scenes with the creative team to ensure the right thing is done. “This is the first time in this process that I’ve been part of the creative so early. It’s just a process where I’m watching and learning. It’s just a really fun stage for me. Like I said, everyone wants it to happen. But we want to make sure we’re not overdoing the same things.”
While the revelation of a universe in which the X-Men work with Avengers-level heroes was fascinating in its own right, a detail about Binary’s costume that was missed by many fans in theaters has become the center of some interesting theories. As can be clearly seen on more than one occasion over the course of the film’s final scenes, Lashana Lynch’s Binary’s costume comes complete with a complete pair of The Marvels‘ MacGuffin, the Quantum Bands.
First introduced to the MCU in the Disney Plus streaming series Ms. Marvel, the Quantum Bands are a pair of ancient artifacts of enormous power. Created by the Kree, the Quantum Bands were used to create wormholes in space that ultimately formed the Universal Neural Teleportation Network. The Network has been seen and used in more than a half-dozen MCU projects such as all three Guardians of the Galaxy films, Avengers: Endgame and both Captain Marvel and The Marvels. While both Kamala Khan and Dar-Benn were shown to be able to use one of the pair of Quantum Bands, when Dar-Benn attempted to use both together, the energy created not only eviscerated her but also ripped a hole in the fabric of spacetime, causing an Incursion. However, if Maria Rambeau’s Binary is who we think she is, the Quantum Bands won’t be a problem for her.
Who is Binary in the Comics?
Binary, the cosmic alter ego of Carol Danvers, emerges from her background as a former Air Force officer and NASA security chief. Following exposure to Kree technology, she inherits a suite of extraordinary abilities, including energy manipulation, superhuman strength, and flight. As Binary, Carol harnesses cosmic energy, enabling her to create energy constructs, possess cosmic awareness, and engage in intergalactic adventures.
Despite her formidable powers, Binary faces vulnerabilities, notably her reliance on energy absorption and susceptibility to magical attacks. However, her resilience and determination shine through as she navigates cosmic challenges and confronts formidable adversaries. Through her experiences, Binary’s legacy as a cosmic hero solidifies, inspiring readers with her unwavering commitment to safeguarding the universe.
Carol Danvers’ journey as Binary represents a significant evolution in her character arc, showcasing her transition from a terrestrial hero to a cosmic force. Her time as Binary serves as a pivotal chapter in her superhero career, highlighting her adaptability and willingness to embrace her cosmic heritage. As she returns to her role as Captain Marvel, Binary’s legacy endures, leaving an indelible mark on the Marvel Comics universe and inspiring future generations of readers with her cosmic exploits.
What are the Quantum Bands in the Comics?
The Quantum Bands, revered artifacts within Marvel Comics lore, are cosmic instruments of immense power. Crafted by the cosmic entity Eon, these bands are worn on the wrists and serve as conduits for quantum energy. Bestowed upon worthy individuals, the Quantum Bands grant their wielders a formidable array of abilities, ranging from flight and enhanced physical prowess to the manipulation of cosmic energies.
The Quantum Bands stand as symbols of cosmic authority and responsibility, embodying the balance between power and duty. Wielders of the bands often find themselves at the forefront of cosmic conflicts, tasked with maintaining order and protecting the universe from malevolent forces. As enduring artifacts of cosmic significance, the Quantum Bands continue to play a pivotal role in Marvel Comics narratives, representing the enduring struggle between light and darkness on a cosmic scale.
How Binary Could Use the Bands in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Should Maria Rambeau’s Binary possess the powers the character possessed in the comics, using the Quantum Bands would prove less problematic for her than they did for Dar-Benn. While there’s no way to know how Monica’s speech with the Variant of her mother went in the alternate universe where she was trapped, the fact that Monica is stranded in a universe other than her own and the comic book version of the Bands being so connected to major Cosmic events suggest that we’ve not seen the last of that universe. It rather seems more likely that the fact that Maria is the owner of her own pair of Quantum Bands suggests we’ll not only see that universe again in the MCU but that it may be central to the resolution of the Multiverse Saga.
Marvel Studios’ only theatrical release of 2024, Deadpool and Wolverine, is due out in just about 12 weeks which means it’s time for the big wheel of promotion to start rolling in earnest. To that end, with a new trailer due out tomorrow, the studio has pushed out a teaser on social media along with a new poster for the film.
The poster gives a great look at the detail of the arm of Hugh Jackman’s comic-accurate suit.
The teaser itself doesn’t seem to give anything away, though it does spend a lot of its runtime on the death of Wolverine as seen in 2018’s Logan.
2023 was a tough year for Marvel Studios. Between the poor performance of a poor movie (Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania), the poor performance of a better movie (The Marvels) and an abomination of a streaming series that doesn’t seem to have any redeeming qualities (Secret Invasion), the studio’s once sterling reputation for churning out quality projects took a hit. With the ground beneath their Multiverse Saga already a bit shaky, news broke that Jonathan Majors, who had signed on as the saga’s big bad, was accused of assault and harassment of his girlfriend. Majors was later convicted of those charges and fired by the studio. Publicly, 2023 was an all-around bad look for the studio.
Things weren’t much better behind the scenes either. Several projects in development came under intense scrutiny as the aforementioned projects didn’t land with the usual fanfare. Notably, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty lost its writer, Jeff Loveness, its director, Destin Daniel Cretton, and its subtitle. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness writer Michael Waldron, who was already working on Avengers: Secret Wars, took over writing duties on Avengers 5 but as nonword emerged on a mew director, fama began to wonder just how big of a mess there was to clean up and if the film would make its 2026 release date. 2023 was a rough year but as the spring of 2024 arrives, so does some hope for the project.
According to reliable scoopers Jeff “The In” Sneider and Daniel RPK, Marvel Studios is currently searching for a director for Avengers 5. More promising is that the studio is reportedly planning to start principal photography on the project in early 2025 with an eye on making the May 1, 2026 release date.
While no names were shared by either insider, Sneider’s report came with the addendum that he’s heard the studio is seeking a director with whom they haven’t worked before. If accurate, that means names like Ryan Coogler, Justin Benson and Aaron Moorehead, or even Sam Raimi, aren’t going to land the gig. It also means Joe and Anthony Russo, who sheparded the studio through the back half of the Infinity Saga, probably aren’t coming back to save the day.
Even without a solid idea of who might be helming the film, moving ahead with the search likely means Waldron’s work on the script for Avengers 5 has been progressing well. If so, names of potential directors will certainly begin to emerge over the weeks and months ahead as the studio will look to pair Waldron with someone with a similar creative vision, allowing them to get to work on revising the script and preparing for production.
John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein carry some heavy nerd cred. Having earned writing credits for Spider-Man: Homecoming , Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves–which they also directed–and The Flash, the creative duo has established themselves as a key player in the modern push to bring comics and gaming to the big screen. According to a new rumor, their recent resume has put them in contention to take charge of one of Marvel Studios’ most important projects.
According to reliable MCU insider Daniel RPK, Daley and Goldstein are among the pool of talent being considered to direct Spider-Man 4.
According to RPK, directors Justin Lin and Drew Goddard, who were once rumored to be in the pool of directors considered for the film, are no longer in the mix. The still untitled fourth film in the franchise has been rumored to head into production later this year.
The Deadpool and Wolverine rumor mill will probably continue to spit out wild new stories until the film hits theaters. At different points in time, everyone from Ben Affleck to Owen Wilson has been rumored to pop up in the threequel which is due in theaters this July. With so many rumors already out there, what’s the harm in sharing one more?
According to Nexus Point News, actress Natalia Tena will portray an adult version of Laura Kinney, aka X-23.
X-23’s presence in Deadpool and Wolverine has long been the subject of speculation given the role the character played in 2018’s Logan. Rumors have made the rounds that Dafne Keene was poised to reprise the role. Nexus Point News also claims they can confirm Keene will also appear as X-23 in Deadpool and Wolverine.
Tena has quite a resume that will resonate with fanboys. Best known for her role as Nymohadora Tonks in the Harry Potter franchise, she’s also appeared in The Mandalorian, Game of Thrones and John Wick: Chapter 4.
First announced at SDCC ’19, Marvel Studios’ Blade has become something of an enigma. Constant changes to the project’s creative team and the 2023 Hollywood strikes delayed the film so many times that fans began to believe the Daywalker would never make it back to the big screen. However, although the film was left out of Kevin Feige’s CinemaCon presentation of Marvel Studios’ 2025 films, Blade is still making its way down the production pipeline and the studio has every intention of bringing Mahershala Ali‘s passion project to theaters.
In January 2024, rumors of the latest version of the film’s script, written by Michael Green, surfaced and it sounded pretty badass. At that time, the film was said to be a period piece in which Mia Goth‘s villainous character was hunting for Blade’s daughter to use her blood to create an army of Daywalkers. Goth’s character was also rumored to be sporting the Ebony Blade, seen in the post-credit scene of Eternals to be in the home of Kit Harrington‘s Dane Whitman. While some or all of those things may still be part of the script, rumors of another revision to the project have surfaced as well as some information about when it may finally begin filming.
According to insider Daniel RPK, Blade will now be set in the MCU’s present day and will still feature Goth’s Lilith as the big bad. With a solid script now in place, production is scheduled to begin in the UK late in 2024.
Whether set in the past or the present, the film still has the potential to do a lot of heavy lifting for Marvel Studios as they continue to construct a corner of the MCU dedicated to monsters and legitimate horror projects. Werewolf By Night tested the waters in that regard and left fans hoping for more. It sounds as though Blade is not only the next step in that direction but also an important stepping stone itself as Daniel RPK also claims that the film will set up another project: Marvel Studios Midnight Sons. Midnight Sons is a term associated with a group of supernatural superheroes in Marvel Comics. They typically deal with occult threats and darker, supernatural elements within the Marvel Universe. The team has varied in its composition over the years but often includes characters like Ghost Rider, Blade, Doctor Strange, and others with connections to the supernatural or occult.
They gave me the R, which is so important.We are going to have fun because Mahershala is such a deep actor. I’m excited to show a kind of ruthlessness, a roughness he has, that allows him to walk the earth in a particular way. I love him for that. He’s got a dignity and integrity, but there is a ferocity there that he usually keeps under the surface. I want to unleash that and put it on the screen.
-Director Yann Demange on Blade’s R-rating
Though it has been delayed more times than anyone would like to count, it sounds as though Marvel Studios has taken the right approach in taking their time to put together a strong script for the R-rated adventure. With as long as they’ve spent crafting Blade, perhaps they’ve finally found the right mix behind the scenes to make the equal of a Hattori Hanzō.
Blade is currently slated to hit theaters on November 7, 2025.
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