Casting the Next Deadpool – 4 Actors Who Could Play the Merc with a Mouth

• It’s difficult to see anyone ever replacing Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, but never say never.
• Dave Franco is one Hollywood star with the personality to play Deadpool in the future.
• Reynolds was born to play Deadpool and probably should never be replaced.

We hear it all the time. Nobody can play that role again. So and so actor literally is the character. Harrison Ford is probably the best examples of this, as he once proclaimed that the character of Indiana Jones dies with him.

That didn’t stop us from looking at who will be the next Indiana Jones, though.

It won’t ever stop us from dissecting possible castings for any and all future roles, either. Hugh Jackman will eventually (actually) be done with Wolverine. And down the road, an actor will play Logan again.

Sticking with that theme – seeing as Jackman will reprise his role in Deadpool 3 – I wondered recently who would play Deadpool next. Again, I agree, Ryan Reynolds is Deadpool.

But even the best adaptations are challenged by the future. With that, here are four actors who could play Deadpool and perhaps quite convincingly.

Dave Franco

Part of casting the next Deadpool comes down to what the reboot would entail. Is it trying to be just as funny, super dark, or something in between?

If they want to keep it light, but want to get a tad younger than Ryan Reynolds, someone like Dave Franco makes a lot of sense.

Franco isn’t yet proven as an action star or superhero, but he sure has a knack for comedy and is a rising star in Hollywood.

He’s now 37 at the time of this writing, though, so the clock could be ticking for Dave Franco to be a serious candidate to play Deadpool next.

That said, Franco may be one of the few actors who can actually rival Reynolds with explosive one-liners and smart-ass quips.

• Related: Who Will Play Wolverine Next?

Dylan O’Brien

Looking for a big star that’s a little younger? Depending on how long we have to wait for a new Deadpool actor to be named, I’d suggest propping up Dylan O’Brien.

That is, of course, if he doesn’t get the gig as the next Flash.

Exclusive: WB Considering Replacing Ezra Miller As The Flash With Dylan O'Brien: https://t.co/NVVUaNcLHm pic.twitter.com/ibtj7Xzizu

— ScreenGeek (@RealScreenGeek) May 9, 2022

I actually took a look at some actors that could be the next Flash, and O’Brien was my pick. He’s such a good fit for so many roles, however, that I can see him getting this gig just as easily.

So, why does he make sense as the next Deadpool? For a lot of the same reasons he would be good as the Flash.

O’Brien has youth on his side, but he’s already proven he can carry big franchises. He did it at a younger age with The Maze Runner series, while he’s also displayed a penchant for comedic timing in his time on Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Not sure he has the goods to head an action movie or be a ruthless assassin? Clearly you haven’t seen American Assassin, then.

O’Brien has the ability to be the next Deadpool actor, regardless of which direction Hollywood takes the eventual reboot.

Whether they want a similar tone to what Reynolds has provided, or they want to go darker and more serious, I think they have a viable candidate here.

Lucas Hedges

It may admittedly take some time before Hollywood opts to jumpstart the Deadpool franchise. Deadpool 3 hasn’t even come out yet, and it’s unclear how long Ryan Reynolds is up for playing the character.

Due to that, it makes sense to look to the future with some quality youth.

With that in mind, Lucas Hedges stands out. The 25-year old is among the best Hollywood actors in their 20s, and he’s also got quite the resume backing him.

Despite having a relatively short career, he’s already been nominated for an Oscar.
He’s also had several huge parts in some impressive projects.

Is Hedges the first person you think of when trying to cast the next Deadpool? No, but he’s young, has elite acting talent, and has proven he can portray any character effectively at a high level.

Karl Urban

I could list off a bunch of younger actors who have the humor or acting talent to play Deadpool next. But a lot of them would feel the same, largely because they haven’t fully realized their potential yet.

Or they haven’t carved out a consistent persona that shows they could capture this character.

I know Karl Urban could, though. If you’re unsure, catch him on The Boys delivering unforgettable (and hilarious) one-liners, while also excelling in scenes calling for drama and/or action.

Urban is no stranger to suspence, dark material, or action. He has loads of experience, and he absolutely has the ability to pull the audience in and make them laugh.

Whether the studios would look for a new Deadpool actor that can pick up the currently burning torch, or one that can go a bit darker, Urban fits the bill.

The only roadblock? Age and timing.

Urban is impossibly already 50 years old, and it’s tough to see him taking over this role as long as the younger Reynolds is still wanting to continue it.

Even so, if Reynolds steps down in the near future, Urban’s dry delivery could make for a nice little pivot.

• Also Read: Karl Urban and Other Actors That Could Play Batman

Should Anyone Else Play Deadpool?

Probably not, if I am being honest. Part of me hates the argument that only one actor can play such a huge character. Allowing a brilliant character and endless storylines to die when the actor does feels like such a waste, after all.

That brings me to a complicated answer.

On one hand, I’d be perfectly fine with never seeing anyone else play Deadpool ever again. Ryan Reynolds isn’t even 50 yet, either, so even if there is a new Deadpool actor at some point, it probably won’t come for several years.

Then again, once Reynolds officially hangs up the red suit, Hollywood will be tempted to look for someone who can fill his shoes down the road.

Hollywood loves a reboot, as you know. They’re constantly looking for the next Superman, the next Wolverine, and the list goes on. Assuming the search for the next Deadpool actor is somewhat soon, hopefully they start with the list above.

Got your own list of potential Deadpool actors? Let’s hear them in the comments below! If you want more hypothetical superhero castings, check out this look at who will play Wonder Woman next.