The connection between Deadpool, Wolverine, and Marvel’s most critically panned film almost came to life—here’s the story you probably didn’t know. Sometimes, behind-the-scenes plans for big movies are more ambitious—and more controversial—than what finally makes it onto the screen. And this case is no different. It turns out that Deadpool and Wolverine's upcoming film was almost linked to the infamous flop that was Marvel’s 2015 'Fantastic Four,' a movie widely considered one of the worst-reviewed superhero adaptations in history.
Marvel’s Cinematic Universe made a significant milestone with 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' as it finally succeeded in getting the iconic superhero family right after four previous attempts had left fans and critics disappointed. Notably, the 2015 'Fantastic Four' directed by Josh Trank became a legendary box office failure and a critical disaster—a film so poorly received that it’s often cited as a low point in superhero cinema. Interestingly, Ryan Reynolds, star of Deadpool, was initially interested in revisiting that failed version of the team in his 2024 project featuring Deadpool and Wolverine.
The film, which was a blockbuster hit, is known for its numerous cameo appearances, with Reynolds’ Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine sharing the screen in a format that was largely a series of fun, surprise cameos. The film included appearances from stars like Wesley Snipes as Blade and even Chris Evans reprising his role as Johnny Storm—initially presented as an homage to the early 2000s 'Fantastic Four' movies. But what many fans don’t realize is that there were plans to include even more members of the 2015 ‘Fantastic Four’ cast—Miles Teller’s Reed Richards, Kate Mara’s Sue Storm, Michael B. Jordan’s Johnny Storm, and Jamie Bell’s Ben Grimm—bringing back the same team from the doomed reboot.
However, those plans never came to fruition. According to Ryan Reynolds in an interview with Collider, the idea of including the 2015 team was quickly shelved. Part of the reason was that Chris Evans’ Johnny Storm was already featured—playing on the common misconception that it was his Marvel Cinematic Universe character, Captain America. Reynolds explained that using Evans’ Johnny Storm was a deliberate misdirect, a clever little surprise for attentive fans. Moreover, budget constraints and film logistics also played a major role in deciding against bringing back the failed reboot's cast.
The decision to omit the 2015 team wasn’t just about logistics—it was also about the value such a cameo would add. With 'Deadpool & Wolverine' packed with numerous guest stars, including well-loved characters and actors, adding the troublesome 2015 characters might have diluted the film’s impact. Ryan Reynolds, known for his business acumen, stated that their focus was on making a successful movie within the constraints of their budget, especially since the project was rated R. He emphasized that their goal was to create a film that was both entertaining and financially responsible, without asking for impossibly high licensing fees or stretching their resources too thin.
Ultimately, the disconnect with the 2015 'Fantastic Four' wasn’t just about missed cameo opportunities—it reflected broader fan dissatisfaction and the overwhelming negative perception of that particular reboot. The 2015 film currently holds a staggering 9% score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the lowest-rated Marvel-related films ever, worse than even the unreleased 1994 'Fantastic Four' movie. Critics called it 'depressing,' 'shameful,' and a '100-minute trailer for a movie that never was.' This poor reception essentially dashed any hope of Marvel’s first family ever achieving a successful cinematic reboot at that time.
Revisiting such a dismal project in a film aimed at fans was probably not the best strategic move. While 'Deadpool & Wolverine' served as a tribute to the Fox era of Marvel characters, it also aimed to shine a spotlight on heroes that had been forgotten or poorly handled—yet including Josh Trank’s version of the Fantastic Four might have risked undermining that effort. Fans’ perception of the original 'Fantastic Four' reboot remains notably negative—far more so than their fondness for established characters like Wesley Snipes' Blade or Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. The lack of enthusiasm for the Trank version explained why Reynolds chose to focus on other cameos that fans actually supported, rather than giving the failed 2015 team another shot in the limelight.
So, do you agree that linking the 2015 'Fantastic Four' to the Deadpool and Wolverine universe would have been a mistake? Or do you think including elements from that failed reboot could have added an interesting layer to the story? Share your thoughts—this controversy is far from settled.
