Deadpool 2 Is Expanding The X-Men Universe – Here’s Every New Mutant

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Deadpool 2 will be positively packed with new mutants, doing its part to continue expanding the X-Men universe. Since the first X-Men debuted, Fox has made a habit of enlarging its ensembles with each film. So far, only Logan has kept things relatively low-key in this department, but even that movie still managed to introduce several new characters.

The first Deadpool, despite being a standalone, brought over Colossus from the main franchise and introduced Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Angel Dust, and Ajax. Also, though she may not share her comic book counterpart’s genes, Vanessa is based on the mutant known as Copycat. Deadpool 2 will naturally ratchet things up, given that it’s a Fox sequel to an X-Men film, and the irreverent superhero’s second solo film will bring a number of characters from page to screen. We don’t know what the Disney deal means for Deadpool, but in the meantime Fox is intent to continue growing the XCU.

Deadpool 2 will be doing double duty, as characters like Cable and Domino will return for X-Force. Until then, however, here’s a look at all the mutant characters we’ve seen so far who will appear in Deadpool 2.

CABLE

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Cable has a complex history in the comics and it’s not clear how much of his backstory will appear in Deadpool 2. He was born Nathan Summers, the child of Cyclops and a clone of Jean Grey first appeared in 1986’s Uncanny X-Men #201. It wasn’t until 1990’s New Mutants #86 that Cable finally arrived, however. Gifted with telekinesis and telepathy, Cable is a powerful mutant – unsurprising, considering who his parents are. Unfortunately, he’s also been afflicted since he was a child with a techno-organic virus that has converted his left arm and eye into cybernetics. Most of Cable’s stories involve time travel, which is bound to be a part of Deadpool 2, but we’ll have to wait and see whether Nathan’s parentage is addressed.

DOMINO

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After creating Deadpool and Cable, Rob Liefeld debuted Neena “Domino” Thurman in 1992’s X-Force #8. Though not as well-known as the other two Deadpool 2 leads, Domino’s history as a mercenary mutant and member of X-Force makes her a fitting addition to the team. And as the final Deadpool 2 trailer confirms, she has the power of luck. Basically, she can warp reality around herself to ensure all of her endeavors work out for the best (though she can still suffer some harm along the way). Despite Wade’s claims in the trailer that her abilities aren’t cinematic, she’s likely to be involved in some inventive action scenes.

BEDLAM

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When Terry Crews first popped up in the Deadpool 2 trailer, fans went wild trying to figure out who the popular actor could be playing. But thanks to the more recent look at the film, we actually have confirmation of a few key characters. Crews will be playing Bedlam, a mutant who first appeared in 1998’s X-Force #82. Along with his fighting skills, Bedlam can generate an electromagnetic field that can affect machines and even the human brain. The trailers so far have merely shown him using his fists, but given how true Deadpool 2 is staying to other aspects of the comics, it seems safe to assume he’ll have some version of his powers. And with Crews’ name (and face) recognition, there’s a good chance Bedlam could make it to X-Force.

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SHATTERSTAR

When the second Deadpool 2 trailer showed off part of Wade’s team in the back of a helicopter, the unique costume of the character behind Crews signaled to fans that Shatterstar was making his way to the big screen. Sure enough, the latest Deadpool 2 trailer name-checks the mutant and shows off his very ’90s costume, alongside his signature weapons.

Also created by Liefeld, Shatterstar has an even more complex origin than Cable. Debuting in 1991’s New Mutants #99, Shatterstar was born Gaveedra Seven and is technically the son of Longshot and Dazzler. He grew up in the Mojoverse, however, and suffice it to say much of his backstory is unlikely to make it into the movie. The film isn’t shying away from his costume, however, but his powers may be a different story. In the comics, Shatterstar has super-strength, super-speed, super-reflexes and more, alongside a healing factor, teleportation, and shockwave generation. That last power is his most well-known, and seems to be on display in the new Deadpool 2 trailer. Given that Shatterstar has also been a member of X-Force, actor Lewis Tan may make the jump to the new franchise as well.

ZEITGEIST

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Bill Skarsgård has only been glimpsed in the trailers for Deadpool 2 so far, and his character wasn’t named as part of the X-Force lineup in the recent look at the film. Luckily, Rob Delaney (who plays the human Peter in the film) confirmed Skarsgård will play Zeitgeist in the film. Though his name wouldn’t suggest it, Zeitgeist has the power to regurgitate acid. As for his role in the film and beyond, hopefully he’ll fare better than in the comics, where he died in 2001’s X-Force #116—the same issue he debuted in.

SHIORI KUTSUNA’S CHARACTER

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Though Shiori Kutsuna’s character appeared just before Wade introduced the new X-Force in the recent Deadpool 2 trailer, her name wasn’t given. As such, she’s one of two mystery mutants in the movie. Luckily, her display of electrical powers glimpsed in various footage means she’s likely playing Surge.

The newest mutant to join the film, Noriko Ashida debuted as Surge in 2004’s New Mutants #8. Gifted with the mutant power to absorb electricity, Surge can release her stored energy as lightning blasts or bursts of super-speed. In the footage so far, we’ve seen her channel her powers into weapons. Though not a member of X-Force on the page, she should add an interesting angle to fight scenes in the film.

RUSSELL

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The mystery of who ‘The Kid’ is has been growing ever since Julian Dennison was cast in Deadpool 2, and it only increased when we learned Cable’s mission in the movie is to capture the young mutant. Deadpool seems to assemble X-Force to stop Cable and protect The Kid, but something bigger could be at play if time travel is involved. Though there’s been no official confirmation of who Dennison is playing, a Deadpool 2 TV spot revealed the identity of ‘The Kid’ as Russell. That along with his display of pyrokinesis means Dennison is probably playing Russell Collins aka Firefist.

Firefirst debuted in 1986’s X-Factor #1 as a character a good bit older than Dennison. Still, he’s a relatively minor hero and it seems Deadpool 2 is taking some liberties with him. His fire-generating powers are pretty straightforward, though some ominous shots of the character surrounded by flames in mean he could be responsible for something horrific (thus explaining Cable’s arrival). While the first Deadpool hardly had a secretive plot, it looks as if the sequel will be saving a number of story surprises for its debut. Regardless of what unfolds, however, Deadpool 2 will greatly expand the roster of mutants in the X-Men universe.


KEY RELEASE DATES
Untitled Deadpool Sequel/Deadpool 2 release date: May 18, 2018
X-Men: Dark Phoenix release date: Feb 14, 2019
New Mutants release date: Aug 2, 2019
Gambit release date: Jun 7, 2019