Ryan Reynolds promises Deadpool isn't in the upcoming MCU flick Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Now arriving well after its original spring 2021 premiere date, Doctor Strange 2 is set to debut in this May, and anticipation is rising at a rapid pace. The Sam Raimi-directed film will see the return of Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) following his recent appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home. This time around, Doctor Strange is grappling with the nastier side of the multiverse as a dangerous new adversary rises. Doctor Strange 2 also stars Elizabeth Olsen, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Thanks to the release of its latest trailer, Doctor Strange 2 effectively blew up the internet this week. Much like No Way Home, Multiverse of Madness has been rumored to include countless cameos from past Marvel movies. The trailer seemed to confirm there's some truth to those rumors when Patrick Stewart's voice was heard speaking to Stephen, strongly hinting he's playing Professor X once again. The Doctor Strange 2 excitement was further fueled by the release of its poster, which featured allusions to characters like What If...?'s Captain Carter and, if the fan theories are correct, Deadpool.

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Many took this to believe that Reynolds' Deadpool will finally make his MCU debut in Doctor Strange 2, but the actor himself is attempting to shut down those thoughts. While speaking to Variety at a special screening for his new Netflix movie The Adam Project, Reynolds insisted he is not in Multiverse of Madness. "I’m really not in the movie," he said. When interviewer Marc Malkin questioned if he was lying, Reynolds added, "I’m promising, I’m not in the movie."

Deadpool puts his hands to his face in comical horror in Deadpool 2.

Now, Reynolds' words will admittedly mean little to Marvel fans. Few could forget how Andrew Garfield repeatedly denied being in Spider-Man: No Way Home, only to then suit up onscreen alongside Tom Holland and Tobey Maguire. Marvel actors have made lying a second talent, and Reynolds could be doing the same. After all, Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld had an interesting response when fans began to speculate the Merc with a Mouth was on the Doctor Strange 2 poster.

If there is anything that is certain right now, it's that Deadpool will be joining the MCU at some point in the future. Deadpool 3 is in development at Marvel Studios, and Reynolds himself has kept fans updated about its progress. As Doctor Strange 2 does seem to be including cameos from various Marvel stars, it could provide an opportunity to introduce Deadpool to the franchise. At the same time, the movie appears to be taking on a dark tone that might not suit the fourth wall-breaking anti-hero. Fans only have Reynolds' word to go on right now, and time will tell if his word is good.

More: Is Deadpool In Doctor Strange 2? Why He Wouldn't Fit Multiverse Of Madness

Source: Variety

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