Morena Baccarin is one of the best actors in the comic book sphere, and ever since her debut nine years ago in ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool, I’ve been hoping to see Vanessa play a larger role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, it looks like the perfect opportunity to do that is just ahead. With Robert Downey Jr. and potentially Chris Evans returning in villainous roles in Avengers: Doomsday, the opportunity for Vanessa to finally fulfill her promise seems to be nigh.

Despite rarely playing the most significant roles, Baccarin has had a consistent place in comic book movies and television through the years. While in Marvel she has mostly played the character of Vanessa, Baccarin has actually played seven DC roles through the years in various mediums. This kind of casting suggests the actor is very interested in these kinds of roles, and I would honestly find it disappointing if she did not live up to her potential in the upcoming Avengers films.

Theories About Morena Baccarin’s ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool Character Becoming Her Superpowered Comic Self Have Existed Since The First ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool Movie

Copycat Is The Mutant Shape-Shifter Version Of Vanessa

Baccarin was cast as Vanessa Carlysle in ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool, and ever since her first appearance, it’s been hinted the character could become something more. In the comics, after Wade’s cancer diagnosis, him and Vanessa actually drift apart. She is revealed to be a mutant shapeshifter who is able to copy powers in addition to appearances and becomes a mercenary known as Copycat. This could have been an interesting direction to take the character in the Marvel movie, but it has not yet occurred.

Baccarin has spoken about her MCU dream to play Copycat many times, including in a 2024 interview with ComicBook. “I’ve only been waiting like five years,” she said. “I’m not getting any younger or skinnier, so now’s the time.” With this in mind, it seems that the actor has had a long consideration for the role, and likely has great ideas for how she could come across in the film. In fact, the perfect opportunity to introduce Copycat is just ahead, in the upcoming Avengers movies.

Avengers: Doomsday & Secret Wars’ Stories Have The Perfect Excuse To Feature Morena Baccarin As Copycat

Multiverse Variants Could Allow Baccarin To Immediately Become Copycat

It might be difficult to fit the entirety of Vanessa’s story, and her journey to becoming Copycat, in the margins of another hero’s film. However, the multiverse stories of the next two Avengers films are rumored to include many different and evil versions of the Avengers team. These characters from other universes will enter fully formed, and this would be the perfect opportunity to introduce Copycat, likely as an antagonist to the heroes of the MCU.

With ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool’s story likely to be tied into Avengers: Secret Wars, especially after the enormous success of ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine, this would be a perfect opportunity to continue Vanessa’s story. Many were disappointed about Vanessa’s smaller role in the film due to the importance of the character. In the first two films, she was the anchor for Wade, and putting her in only a few scenes lost a bit of the franchise’s heart. Introducing another superpowered version of her, however, could make for a compelling twist in the Avengers sequels.

The MCU’s “Evil Heroes” Story Could Lend Itself Well To Adding Copycat To The Avengers Movies

Different Variants Of Familiar Characters Makes A Great Opportunity

Introducing different versions of familiar characters appears to be a priority for the next Avengers films, with Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom at the center. Chris Evans is rumored to be joining as well, and Scarlett Johansson has also been referred to occasionally. This suggests that many familiar characters will be returning as different iterations of their characters. Seeing a version of Vanessa who did not stay with Wade, and who turned to a life of violence, would be an excellent twist on this.

Among the many MCU characters, ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine has expanded the size of the franchise, and the characters from Fox’s universe must also be considered. With all the X-Men at their disposal, seeing the fragments of that universe that never reached fruition would be an excellent opportunity in the upcoming MCU films. There is an entire multiverse to work with, and it seems that the opportunity, especially with such a strong performer as Baccarin, is irresistible.

I want to see Morena Baccarin in everything. She’s a strong performer with an excellent presence, and her character Vanessa is one of the best side characters in the entire Fox universe. Granted, there are so many things that the franchise is going to have to include in Avengers: Secret Wars to satisfy everyone, but I’m hoping that the Marvel Cinematic Universe can do exactly that. I hope that Baccarin can finally fulfill her dream of playing Copycat in the MCU.

Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Thunderbolts*

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  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  
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  Spider-Man Homecoming 4

  Release Date

  
  July 24, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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