2024 was a banner year for Wade Wilson as he made his first foray into UCMbut it was another unknown property that had the perfect replacement for Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool. Deadpool and Wolverine was a huge success, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time and climbing the MCU box office charts overall. Ryan Reynolds is the biggest reason for Deadpool's continued success, having played the character since his controversial debut in X-Men Origins: Wolverine in 2009, and gaining redemption through his own trilogy.
Despite being the face of Deadpool and one of the biggest hits in the MCU timeline since Spider-Man: No Way HomeRyan Reynolds wasn't the only actor to play Deadpool in 2024. It was a LEGO animated special that brought the character back for a second time in the same year, proving that Deadpool can live long after Ryan Reynolds decides to step away from the character at some point. moment in the future.
Jason Mantzoukas plays Deadpool in LEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition
Ryan Reynolds wasn't the only actor to play Deadpool in 2024, as Jason Mantzoukas played the character in the Disney+ special, LEGO Marvel Avengers: Demolition Mission which was released on the platform on October 18, 2024. Mantzoukas doesn't get much screen time as Merc with a Mouth, considering he was the joke in the end credits, but he makes the most of his role, embodying all of the character's iconic qualities.
Of course, Jason Mantzoukas' role as Deadpool is very different, playing the end credits of an animated special that lasted just over 40 minutes, rather than leading one of the most successful Marvel films of all time. Still, Mantzoukas did an admirable job playing Deadpool, who became a character that will forever be associated with Ryan Reynolds long after his time as the character is over. His banter and subsequent “fight” with She-Hulk as the two meta-characters is a great and funny way to end the special.
Why LEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition didn't cast Ryan Reynolds
Since Ryan Reynolds is essentially synonymous with Deadpool at this point, it's raises the question as to why he didn't reprise the role for LEGO Marvel Avengers: Demolition Mission. Given that the special is just a smaller-scale production, the budget probably wouldn't have allowed Reynolds to voice the character. Still, it doesn't diminish the character of the special itself, as it follows a pattern familiar to other Marvel characters.
Just like Ryan Reynolds, none of the actors who play these characters in the MCU have appeared in LEGO Marvel Avengers: Demolition Mission. The great thing about these characters, and superhero projects in general, is that a multitude of actors can come in and make the character their own in some way. The entire cast of LEGO Marvel Avengers: Demolition Mission does an admirable job and helps separate the special from the MCU and other adaptations of the characters.
LEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition continues Jason Mantzoukas' superhero film career
LEGO Marvel Avengers: Demolition Mission isn't the only superhero project Jason Mantzoukas has lent his talents to. In fact, it's not the only LEGO superhero property he's been in. Mantzoukas also voiced the Scarecrow in The LEGO Batman Movie in 2017. Like his role in Deadpool in LEGO Marvel Avengers: Demolition MissionJason Mantzoukas didn't get much screen time in The LEGO Batman Movie. Still, it's fun to see actors move from DC to Marvel and back again in live action or animated projects.
Bringing back Jason Mantzoukas as Scarecrow in a more predominant role could be a great move for the franchise.
Scarecrow normally couldn't be more different from Deadpool, but Jason Mantzoukas portrayed both characters perfectly and definitely made the most of his limited time in each role. It's a shame that The LEGO Batman Movie apparently there will never be a follow-up film. If by some miracle this actually happens, bringing back Jason Mantzoukas as Scarecrow in a more predominant role could be a huge move for the franchise.
LEGO Marvel Avengers: Demolition Mission It wasn't the first animated special in the series and it certainly won't be the last. With Deadpool making a hilarious appearance in the end credits, there's a possibility he could return for the next installment. Even though Ryan Reynolds remains the only live-action Deadpool in the UCM at least for now, it's good to see another version of Wade Wilson, and Jason Mantzoukas has made the most of his limited time as the character.
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February 14, 2025
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July 25, 2025
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July 24, 2026
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