The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has never been short on surprises, but the latest buzz surrounding Avengers: Doomsday has fans more divided than ever. Slated for release on May 1, 2026, this fifth Avengers installment promises to be a multiversal showdown of epic proportions, pitting Earth’s Mightiest Heroes against Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. Yet, it’s not the return of RDJ or the Russo Brothers that’s splitting the fandom—it’s the rumored casting of Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. Following their billion-dollar triumph in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), the idea of these irreverent antiheroes joining the Avengers has sparked a firestorm of excitement, skepticism, and outright debate. Why are MCU fans so torn over this casting? Let’s dive into the chaos, the context, and the stakes of bringing the Merc with a Mouth and the clawed Canuck into Doomsday.

The Rumor That Lit the Fuse

The speculation began in January 2025, when insider Daniel Richtman dropped a bombshell on his Patreon: “I hear Deadpool and Wolverine will have a role in Doomsday.” Though unconfirmed by Marvel, the rumor gained traction fast. Posts on X erupted with reactions, from “This is the crossover we deserve!” to “Please, no—keep them out of my Avengers!” Then, on March 26, 2025, Marvel’s five-and-a-half-hour livestream revealed 27 cast members for Avengers: Doomsday—including Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, Pedro Pascal’s Mr. Fantastic, and Patrick Stewart’s Professor X—but conspicuously omitted Reynolds and Jackman. Yet, Marvel teased “there’s always room for more,” and insiders like The Hollywood Reporter’s Borys Kit hinted at additional reveals. The absence of an official nod only fanned the flames, leaving fans to argue over whether Deadpool and Wolverine belong in this high-stakes ensemble.

The Case For: A Multiverse Match Made in Heaven

For the pro-Deadpool-and-Wolverine camp, this casting is a no-brainer. Deadpool & Wolverine was a juggernaut, grossing $1.3 billion and proving the duo’s box-office clout. Their multiversal romp—complete with Time Variance Authority (TVA) shenanigans—seamlessly tied them to the MCU, setting the stage for bigger roles. Fans argue that Doomsday, with its rumored ties to the 2015 Secret Wars comic event, needs chaotic wildcards like Wade and Logan to shake up the Avengers’ often-staid dynamic. “They brought the most money in the saga,” one X user wrote. “They have to be the mains alongside Spider-Man.”

Deadpool’s meta-humor could also serve as a pressure valve for Doomsday’s sprawling cast, which already includes X-Men veterans like Ian McKellen and newcomers like Channing Tatum’s Gambit. Imagine Wade quipping about the absurdity of 30-plus heroes sharing screen time—or breaking the fourth wall to roast Doctor Doom’s Tony Stark vibes. Wolverine, meanwhile, offers gritty gravitas. His comic history with the Avengers and X-Men makes him a natural bridge between teams, especially if Doomsday pivots into an Avengers vs. X-Men clash. Plus, Hugh Jackman’s emotional return in 2024 left fans clamoring for more—why waste that momentum?

The Case Against: Too Much of a Good Thing?

Not everyone’s on board. Detractors argue that Deadpool and Wolverine risk turning Doomsday into a cameo-fest rather than a cohesive story. The film’s already stacked roster—Thor, Captain America, the Fantastic Four, and a half-dozen X-Men—leaves little room for meaningful arcs. “How is this thing going to be structured?” one Redditor on r/MarvelStudios_Rumours asked. “Five minutes per character?” Critics fear Deadpool’s R-rated shtick could clash with the MCU’s PG-13 tone, diluting either his edge or the film’s gravitas. Wolverine, too, might feel redundant alongside battle-hardened vets like Sebastian Stan’s Winter Soldier or Anthony Mackie’s Captain America.

There’s also the narrative concern. Deadpool & Wolverine ended with the duo saving Wade’s universe and settling into a rare happy ending. Dragging them into Doomsday—potentially to face Doom or die in a multiversal purge—could undo that closure. “I don’t want them just popping in for a gag,” an X user posted. “They deserve their own space.” Some fans even speculate Marvel held them back for Avengers: Secret Wars (2027), where a larger “Battleworld” canvas might better suit their antics.

The Fan Divide: A Sentiment Snapshot

Posts on X and Reddit paint a vivid picture of the split. The pro camp revels in the hype: “Deadpool and Wolverine in Doomsday? My wallet’s ready!” Others envision dream scenarios, like Wade teaming with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man and Charlie Cox’s Daredevil for a “Team Red” subplot. The anti camp, though, is vocal about overload. “Endgame had this many characters and felt perfect,” one fan wrote. “Doomsday can’t top that with more cameos.” A GAMINGbible report from April 2, 2025, noted fans “torn” over the exclusion, with some relieved and others baffled, especially given Jackman’s absence alongside returning X-Men like James Marsden’s Cyclops.

This division mirrors broader MCU tensions. Post-Endgame (2019), the Multiverse Saga has struggled with coherence—think Quantumania’s flop versus No Way Home’s triumph. Deadpool & Wolverine was a lifeline, but shoving its stars into Doomsday risks alienating fans who crave focus over fan service. Yet, with RDJ’s Doom and the Russo Brothers at the helm, others see it as the perfect storm to blend old and new.

What Marvel Might Be Planning

Marvel’s silence is deafening, but clues abound. The Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair set “Deadpool: April ‘Pools Day,” released April 2025, hinted at Wade’s ongoing relevance with a new card and Infinity Gauntlet art—perhaps a tease of his Doomsday role. Reynolds, ever the tease, dodged questions on Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast in November 2024: “I’m not even being cagey. We’ll see what happens.” Jackman, meanwhile, told Empire he’d “had the time of my life” as Wolverine, leaving the door ajar.

The Russo Brothers, who helmed Infinity War and Endgame, have called Doomsday a “new beginning” for Phase 7. Their knack for juggling ensembles—Endgame featured over 40 characters—suggests they could handle Deadpool and Wolverine, perhaps as TVA-recruited disruptors or X-Men allies. Rumors from SuperHeroHype in January 2025 posited they’d “reunite” in Doomsday, but their roles remain murky. Will Deadpool cameo for laughs, or will Wolverine lead a mutant subplot? Marvel’s coy “more to come” stance keeps all bets open.

The Bigger Picture: Deadpool’s MCU Fit

Deadpool’s integration has been a tightrope walk since Disney acquired Fox. His R-rated roots don’t mesh easily with the MCU’s sheen, yet Deadpool & Wolverine proved he can thrive within it. Doomsday could test that balance further. Fans who love his irreverence want him front and center; purists fear he’ll overshadow the stakes. Wolverine, with his X-Men pedigree, faces less resistance—his Doomsday inclusion feels organic, especially with mutants like Magneto and Professor X confirmed.

The casting debate also reflects Doomsday’s ambitious scope. With the Fantastic Four, X-Men, and Avengers colliding, it’s a powder keg of potential—and peril. Deadpool and Wolverine could be the spark that lights it up or the overload that blows it apart. As Thunderbolts* looms in May 2025 and The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July, Marvel’s building to a crescendo. Fans are torn because they care—about the characters, the story, and the MCU’s future.

A Fandom at the Crossroads

As of April 3, 2025, the Avengers: Doomsday Deadpool casting remains a rumor, but its impact is real. Fans are split between craving a multiversal mashup and dreading a cluttered mess. It’s a microcosm of the MCU’s post-Endgame identity crisis—can it recapture past glory while evolving? Deadpool and Wolverine, fresh off their 2024 win, are lightning rods in that question. Whether they join Doomsday or wait for Secret Wars, their presence looms large.

For now, the divide endures. Some see them as the chaotic glue to unite a fractured saga; others as a distraction from a story already bursting at the seams. One thing’s certain: when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters, the cheers and jeers will be deafening. Marvel’s playing a high-stakes game, and the fans—torn, passionate, and ever-vocal—are along for the ride. Will Deadpool and Wolverine save the day or steal the show? Only time, and maybe a few more leaks, will tell.