Deadpool’s second violence-filled adventure could include some classic X-Men anti-mutant bigotry from the Mutant Response Division and its members — perhaps making some connections to Bolivar Trask and his Sentinels — if we believe the latest Deadpool 2 set photos.
Fans in Vancouver spotted a heavy military vehicle being used in various action sequences on the Deadpool 2 set, but things got really interesting when Twitter user @AnimalDesatado posted a close-up picture of the side of the vehicle, which bears the words “Property of United States of America — Mutant Division.”
The “Mutant Response Division,” aka MRD, has already made appearances in Fox’s mutant-focused Marvel movies, specifically in X-Men: Days of Future Past. The MRD is the branch of the U.S. government tasked with monitoring, controlling, and in some extreme cases, eliminating mutant threats. Peter Dinklage’s Bolivar Trask, who designed the first Sentinels, was a leading member of the organization in Days of Future Past. His creations went on to basically destroy the world until Wolverine was able to control his past self to fix things.
Could Sentinels appear in 'Deadpool 2'?
It’s doubtful that Trask or his Sentinels would appear in Deadpool 2. In the main X-Men timeline, Trask is probably dead and his Sentinels were seemingly decommissioned (but this timeline has always been a total mess).
Considering the film’s focus on the X-Force and that team’s history in Marvel comics combatting the MRD, there could at least be references to Trask or his creations.
@AnimalDesatado also posted a side-by-side photo of MRD soldiers from on-set and the comics. Considering the uncanny resemblance, it seems highly likely that these are indeed MRD troops.
Even if neither Trask nor Sentinels factor into Deadpool 2, but the MRD does play a role, then we can expect the scope of this sequel to broaden out as Deadpool deals with being part of the persecuted culture of mutants.
Who knows how Cable, Domino, and other potential mutants might factor into Deadpool 2 if they’re dealing with pressure from the government agency.
Deadpool 2 is expected to be released on June 1, 2018.
