Summary

• Deadpool may be the only one to remember Peter Parker’s identity due to his unique fourth-wall-breaking ability.
• The MCU theory suggests Deadpool knows who Peter is from a visit to Earth-616, setting up a potential meeting.
• A future movie like Avengers: Doomsday could see Deadpool and Spider-Man team up.

A new Deadpool & Wolverine theory makes the case for Ryan Reynolds’ Merc With a Mouth being the only character to remember who Tom Holland’s Peter Parker is. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has just had its biggest success since 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home. Holland’s third Spider-Man movie brought back Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Men, as well as villains from their films, and nearly crossed the $2 billion mark worldwide. Three years later, the MCU finally had another movie pass the coveted $1 billion mark, something that could inspire future Marvel movies.

That film is Deadpool & Wolverine, which features the MCU debut of Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine — the latter returning to the role for the first time since 2017’s Logan. While Deadpool imitates Spider-Man’s signature hand motion in the movie, no version of Peter Parker returns as part of Deadpool & Wolverine‘s long list of cameos. However, the movie does have another nod to the character that could tie in with a future meeting between Reynolds’ Deadpool and Holland’s Spider-Man, even if Deadpool & Wolverine‘s ending leaves Wade in the Fox Marvel universe for the time being.

Deadpool & Wolverine Theory Explains How Deadpool Knows Who Peter Parker Is

The Characters Have A Great Relationship In The Comics

Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s ending has tragic consequences for Tom Holland’s Peter Parker. In order to send all the characters who knew Peter’s identity back to their respective universes before Earth-616 was “invaded,” Doctor Strange had to use a spell that made everyone forget who Peter Parker was. Holland’s Spider-Man was left alone, with no friends or family to turn to. That also means that no MCU hero knows that Peter is Spider-Man, not even Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange. However, a Deadpool & Wolverine theory makes Reynolds’ Wade Wilson the one exception to the rule.

In the MCU’s latest movie, it was revealed that Deadpool traveled to Earth-616 in 2018 to join the Avengers. Deadpool talked to Happy Hogan at the Avengers Compound, with the character’s office filled with objects that were nods to other MCU heroes. One of them was a photo of Tony Stark with Peter Parker. According to the new MCU theory shared by LuckStreet9448 on Reddit, Deadpool would have made the connection that Spider-Man is Peter Parker, then traveled back to his universe, retaining that info. While that could clash with Strange’s spell, there is another addition to the theory.

There Is Another Way For Deadpool To Remember Peter Parker

Wade Wilson Has A Unique Skill

Deadpool possesses a unique skill that sets him apart from pretty much every other character in the MCU. Reynolds’ Marvel hero has the power to break the fourth wall, making references to other franchises, MCU heroes and villains, and more directly to the audience. As such, that could complement the MCU theory. On paper, Doctor Strange’s spell should have made everyone who knew Peter Parker was Spider-Man forget that information. If Wade Wilson learned that Peter was Spider-Man from his time on Earth-616 in Deadpool & Wolverine, he would theoretically also need to forget about it.

The thing is, Deadpool is not like the other Marvel characters. His fourth wall knowledge could allow Reynolds’ Wade Wilson to retain that information, and if the theory is not accurate, it could even be Marvel’s explanation for how he knows Peter is Spider-Man when the two first meet. That aspect of the character could even lead to fun dialogue, with Deadpool knowing who Spider-Man is and teasing other Avengers with the information when he inevitably joins the team or helps the heroes in battle.

When Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool & Tom Holland’s Spider-Man Could Meet

It Could Happen Relatively Soon

At this moment, Reynolds’ next appearance as the Merc With a Mouth has yet to be confirmed. However, Holland’s MCU return already has a set project. The actor will lead Spider-Man 4, which could feature Reynolds’ Deadpool. After all, the MCU’s Spider-Man movies always include one major Marvel character as per Marvel Studios’ deal with Sony to produce the Spider-Man movies. Deadpool in Spider-Man 4 could carry on the trend that saw Iron Man, Nick Fury, and Doctor Strange play key roles in Holland’s first Spider-Man trilogy.

That said, Spider-Man: No Way Home set the stage for a more personal story in Spider-Man 4, and Deadpool’s over-the-top antics could feel out of place. Adding to that, there is a strong chance that a better movie for them to meet in will be released before Holland’s Spider-Man 4. 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday could see Spider-Man, Deadpool, the Avengers, and other heroes team up to take down Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. With 60+ Marvel characters rumored for the movie, Reynolds’ next appearance after Deadpool & Wolverine and Holland’s Spider-Man return will likely come in Avengers: Doomsday.

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  Deadpool & Wolverine

  A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.

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  Spider-Man 4

  Spider-Man 4 is the first sequel to the MCU’s Spider-Man trilogy starring Tom Holland as the titular wall-crawler. After wiping his identity from the public’s memory in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker continues his crime-fighting adventures without the aid of Iron Man technology or the support of his former allies.

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  Avengers: Doomsday

  Avengers: Doomsday is the fifth Avengers film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and will bring together heroes, new and old, to face off against Victor von Doom – played by the returning Robert DOwney Jr.. Avengers 5 will also mark the beginning of phase 6 of the MCU.

Upcoming MCU Movies