Like most people, Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld was more than a little disappointed with the arrival of Wade Wilson in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. While Wilson’s comic book iteration underwent several changes from the supervillain of The New Mutants to the profanity-loving, fourth-wall-breaking Merc with a Mouth that everyone loves, the same could be said of his on-screen adaptation. Although always being portrayed by Ryan Reynolds was not well received on his debut after the character was initially introduced as a close interpretation of Liefeld’s creation was transformed into the mute, obedient “Weapon XI,” removing everything good about the character.During an appearance on The Big Thing with Kristian Harloff and Coy Jandreau, Liefeld talked about his disappointment at the handling of the character in his first big-screen appearance. According to Liefeld, he did try to raise concerns about the character’s depiction, but the studio at the time was more interested in the character of Gambit, who was supposed to have his own spin-offs which eventually amounted to nothing. Even after the film leaked online and fan backlash began, Liefeld’s suggestion of adding a different end credit scene to the one used, potentially featuring a more accurate depiction of Deadpool, was dismissed. He said:

“I was very disappointed by it. I knew that they were mistreating him a year out. So, I begged them to do an after credits with him in the mask coming out literally six weeks before it premiered...look X-Men Origins: Wolverine, after the opening with Ryan cutting the bullets with the katanas, that movie doesn’t exist to me.”

Deadpool’s Success On Screen Was Born of His Biggest Failure in X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool 3
20th Century Fox

While his first appearance left a lot to be desired, Deadpool would eventually come in 2016 with a little help from Ryan Reynolds, who was thought to have been the source of leaked test footage of him as the character. That leak led to fans in their thousands pushing for the studio to make a Deadpool movie. Whatever the truth, Deadpool happened, and was followed by a sequel in 2018, both of which soon eradicated the memory of his initial appearance. Although, the post-credit scene of Deadpool 2 reminded everyone that he “righted wrongs” of the past, including that Wolverine appearance and his involvement in the Green Lantern movie.

With Deadpool now an R-rated superstar and both films being among the highest-grossing movies in that category, the future for Deadpool was all set with a third movie already in development until the Disney/Fox merger came along and put the future of the character in doubt. However, fan fears that Deadpool may not be returning or would be watered down if he did, have been calmed after it was announced that even as an MCU inductee, Deadpool will be remaining R-rated and will not be looking to make changes to the character in his most popular form. With Reynolds allegedly working on the script, it is only a matter of time before we find out more about what the future holds for the character.