X-Men Origins: In Marvel Studios’ forthcoming Deadpool & Wolverine, Wolverine’s contentious portrayal of Deadpool may actually find atonement.

If X-Men Origins: Wolverine’s portrayal of Deadpool makes a comeback, one contentious Fox X-Men Universe figure could find forgiveness in Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine. Deadpool and Wolverine will be developed for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios and Ryan Reynolds said shortly after Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox was completed in 2019. Reynolds’ third solo project, which will bridge the gap between the Fox X-Men Universe and the MCU, follows Wade Wilson, who set out on adventures in 2016’s Deadpool and 2018’s Deadpool 2. It is anticipated that several former X-Men actors from 20th Century Fox’s now-defunct franchise will make cameo appearances.

Most significantly, Hugh Jackman—who has been Wolverine since the X-Men film of 2000—will be collaborating with Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool as James “Logan” Howlett. Since Wolverine was the only X-Men member to earn a solo trilogy in addition to the main X-Men films, he received more growth in the Fox X-Men Universe than most other mutant characters. Even though not all of these solo endeavors were well received, Marvel Studios’ next film, Deadpool & Wolverine, may honor Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine journey while also doing respect to some of the most underutilized and contentious characters from the Fox X-Men Universe.

Deadpool & Wolverine’s Headpool Could Be The Version From X-Men Origins: Wolverine

In response to potential promotional art released ahead of Deadpool & Wolverine’s premiere, Reddit users have pondered whether the possible inclusion of Headpool in Deadpool & Wolverine could connect to 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine. In Marvel Comics, Headpool was a Deadpool variant from a reality infested with a zombie virus, and who had been torn apart during a battle, leaving him as only a head. Headpool eventually joined the Deadpool Corps, a group of multiversal Deadpools that has been speculated to appear in Deadpool & Wolverine, but the MCU’s Headpool could have an even stronger connection to Deadpool’s live-action history.

Ryan Reynolds made his first appearance as Wade Wilson in 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Hugh Jackman’s first spinoff as Wolverine, which detailed Logan’s backstory prior to losing his memory and joining the X-Men. However, this version of Wade Wilson was transformed by William Stryker into Weapon XI, enhanced with abilities from other mutants and a sewn mouth. After fighting Wolverine and Victor Creed, Weapon XI was decapitated, but the ending of X-Men Origins: Wolverine revealed the head had survived. Weapon XI’s head could become Headpool in Deadpool & Wolverine, delivering the perfect resolution to X-Men Origins’ controversial twist on Deadpool.

Deadpool & Wolverine Can Clear Up Fox’s X-Men Timeline In Other Ways

The timeline of the Fox X-Men Universe became more messy with each new project, with unnecessary revisions and changes being made constantly. This was prime ground for brilliant jokes from Reynolds in Deadpool and Deadpool 2, which is sure to continue in Deadpool & Wolverine. The universe-hopping narrative of Deadpool & Wolverine also offers the opportunity for Deadpool to fix the timeline, however, glossing over mistakes, including Jean Grey and Raven’s deaths, Professor X’s misuse of the wheelchair, and the fact that the X-Men never seemed to age, and establishing a clean slate for Marvel Studios’ X-Men in the MCU.