12 Marvel Movies You Didn't Know Were Secretly Connected

Deadpool is well known for his fourth wall breaks and references to other franchises, so at the time of Deadpool's release (2016) it was unsurprising that he would comment on the MCU. However, two specific references indicate that Deadpool is more than just aware of the MCU, but might secretly reside in the billion-dollar franchise alongside the Avengers and the rest of Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

Firstly, Deadpool's post-credit scene Deadpool comments - "What were you expecting? Sam Jackson, to show up with an eyepatch and a saucy little leather number?", which is of course a reference to Samuel L. Jackson's surprise appearance at the end of Iron-Man (2008). That alone wouldn't indicate much more than Deadpool's classic fourth-wall breaking sensibilities, but there's another reference that makes the nod a little more curious.

During the climactic battle scene, Deadpool and his allies fight Ajax on top of a decommissioned S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier - possibly the one from 2012's Avengers. Emmanuel Shiu, the artist who designed the helicarrier for Deadpool (2016), stated that he had to make the helicarrier look different from the MCU version, most likely for legal reasons. It is clear for any fan of the two superhero franchises that Deadpool and Ajax are fighting on a helicarrier. Furthermore, a deleted scene would have featured Ajax returning ashore after being held in the Raft prison.

With Deadpool often breaking the fourth wall, it is easy to dismiss the possibility of his connection to the MCU. These references indicate that Deadpool was secretly operating within the MCU long before the Disney/Fox merger.