Deadpool 2 ending explained: What happens to Russell?

The second Deadpool movie brings us a reminder that not everything is solved by the death of someone. In fact, sacrifices can do a lot of good. Here’s a reminder of everything that happened at the end of Deadpool 2.

We’re coming in close to Deadpool & Wolverine, the third movie in the sarcastic, fourth-wall-breaking franchise. It’s worth remembering the events of Deadpool up to this as it will shape the way Ryan Reynolds’ character is after this.

Who is Cable in Deadpool 2?

Before we jump into the way things ended, we need a reminder of one of the antiheroes. It’s all about Josh Brolin’s Cable, who is from the future. He’s from a dark future. One where Russell, the teenager also known as Firefist, is from. Firefist has caused a desolate world, and Cable wants to prevent that from happening.

We get to see the idea of “if you could kill Baby Hitler, would you?” Cable wants to kill Russell, thinking that that will prevent the future that he is from. Deadpool has a different idea. What if they can prevent Russell by convincing him his future plans aren’t worth it?

Well, Cable doesn’t like that idea. He ends up shooting at Russell, but Deadpool steps into the shot. He sacrifices himself to save Russell, and we see that there is a change in the world around them. Cable sees that his daughter, Hope, is saved. With her not dying, Cable realizes that Deadpool’s plan was right all along.

Cable saves Deadpool with a Skee-Ball token

There was a point earlier in the movie when Cable took a Skee-Ball token from our titular vigilante. Well, that comes up at the end. Cable uses the second of his two-time jumps that his machine is able to make. This takes him back just 15 minutes from Deadpool making his ultimate sacrifice. Cable ensures that the Skee-Ball token is in Deadpool’s pocket, right over his head.

So, the fight scene still plays out the way that it did. Cable even takes the shot, and Deadpool still jumps in front of the shot. The bullet still hits Deadpool’s chest, but it doesn’t pierce his heart. The Skee-Ball token takes it all, leaving our vigilante unharmed.

This doesn’t change anything for Russell, who ends up following the path he would have in the world where Deadpool died. Cable’s daughter is saved, and it’s a happy ending. It also promises a team-up between Deadpool and Cable in the future.

The post-credit scene opens up multiple potential storylines from the Deadpool universe

Throughout the movie, Deadpool teams up with two of the lesser-known X-Men. One was Negasonic Teenage Warhead, who ends up with the time travel device that Cable had. Of course, she decides to play around with things, opening up its ability to travel through time again. This time, the power is unlimited.

She then hands the device to Deadpool, who heads out on his own adventure. Of course, this is the point that she realizes she did the wrong thing. Too late now!

What does Deadpool use the time machine for? Well, to save Vanessa of course! It does ruin some of Deadpool’s development throughout the movie, but at the same time, it doesn’t. This doesn’t change what Deadpool has already been through since he’s the one to go back in time and save the love of his life.

Deadpool is also able to head back to a time that connects to Wolverine’s story. He goes to 2009, to the climax of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. We watch as Wolverine is ready to fight the No-Mouth Deadpool, only for the real Deadpool to come in and take the No-Mouth counterpart down. All Wolverine can do is watch.

So, is this where the third Deadpool movie picks up? Get ready for it to find out!

Deadpool 2 is available to stream on Disney+ and FX, and you can catch Deadpool & Wolverine in theaters this Friday, July 26.