Deadpool (real name Wade Wilson) is a Marvel Comics character, a violent but wisecracking assassin with regenerative powers. Introduced in the X-Men comics as a villain, Deadpool transitioned to a star character, headlining his own comic title by 1997. In his ongoing series, he increasingly broke the fourth wall to show comedic medium awareness, which would become a trademark along with his strangeness in general. The comics increasingly used him for comedy purposes across a swathe of titles and dimensions (including as a cheerful re-animated head in Marvel Zombies). In addition to the X-Men (especially Wolverine), the character has crossed paths with (or just annoyed) Spider-Man, Daredevil, Captain America, Dracula, and the vampiric bovine Hell-Cow from Howard the Duck.

In media adaptations, Deadpool was initially limited to cameos or guest spots at best, except for a supporting role in the 2009 movie X-Men Origins: Wolverine, only referred to as Wade Wilson and played by Ryan Reynolds. Reynolds reprised the role in the starring vehicle Deadpool, emphasizing the comedy and profanity accompanying the violence and the fourth wall elements. Sequels followed.

Muppet Mentions

• In Deadpool: Too Soon #1 (2016), Deadpool claims that Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham, is "cyber-stalking a certain beloved porcine actress," as a panel shows Spider-Ham visiting a Miss Piggy website.

• Deadpool makes a throwaway reference in Spider-Man/Deadpool #23 (2017), suggesting a fantasy plot involving spaceships and "a bunch of Muppets."

Deadpool: Too Soon? #1
(July 2016)

Spider-Man/Deadpool #23
(November 2017)

• The character's Muppet mentions continued in the movies. In Deadpool (2016), he quips to Ajax's henchmen, "You guys only work for that shit-spackled Muppet fart!"

• A longer (and more explicit) Muppet analogy occurs in Deadpool 2 (2018). Deadpool sits in his apartment naked aside from a shirt, exposing his regenerating lower half. Asked by Blind Al to describe the sight, Weasel says "It's like he's a Muppet from the waist down. But this time, you can see the Muppet's dick. Grover's got a cock the size of a..."

Connections

• Zazie Beetz played Domino in Deadpool 2 (2018)
• Henry Cavill played The Cavillrine in Deadpool and Wolverine (2024)
• Terry Crews played Bedlam in Deadpool 2 (2018)
• Nathan Fillion voiced Headpool in Deadpool and Wolverine (2024)
• Jennifer Garner played Elektra in Deadpool and Wolverine (2024)
• Hugh Jackman played Logan/Wolverine in Deadpool and Wolverine (2024)
• Stan Lee played a strip club DJ in Deadpool (2016)
• Blake Lively played Ladypool in Deadpool and Wolverine (2024)
• James McAvoy played Professor Charles Xavier in Deadpool 2 (2018)
• Ramón Pérez penciled and inked Deadpool Team-Up #883 ("Guest Starring Galactus," 2011)
• Geoff Redknap was a special makeup effects artist in Deadpool (2016) and Deadpool 2 (2018) and puppeteered Headpool in Deadpool and Wolverine (2024)
• Ryan Reynolds played Wade Wilson/Deadpool in the movies and co-wrote Deadpool 2 (2018) and Deadpool and Wolverine (2024)
• Leslie Uggams played Blind Al in the movies