Morena Baccarin Reflects on Deadpool's Epic Journey and Teases Her Masters of the Universe Role

Morena Baccarin, who we all know and love as Vanessa Carlysle from the Deadpool universe, is spilling the tea on the Merc with a Mouth's incredible success and her hopes for a bigger role in future films. Plus, she's sharing her excitement about stepping into a completely different superhero world as The Sorceress in the upcoming Masters of the Universe movie, even dishing on Nicholas Galitzine's wild transformation into He-Man!

TL;DR: The Quick Scoop on Morena Baccarin's Latest News

• Morena Baccarin is amazed by the Deadpool franchise's decade-long success and hopes for a more substantial role for Vanessa in a potential Deadpool 4, moving beyond the "bro comedy" dynamic.
• She's absolutely thrilled to join Masters of the Universe as The Sorceress, fulfilling a childhood dream and praising Nicholas Galitzine's incredible physical transformation into He-Man.
• Beyond superheroes, Baccarin is also busy starring in the new CBS procedural drama Sheriff Country, where she's embraced law enforcement training while prioritizing her family's location.

From Comic Book Love Interest to Box Office Billionaire: The Deadpool Journey Continues to Amaze

It's hard to believe, but it’s almost been a whole decade since we first met Morena Baccarin’s Vanessa Carlysle, Wade Wilson’s fiercely independent and utterly charming love interest in the first Deadpool movie. Who would've thought that a foul-mouthed, R-rated superhero flick would not only break box office records but also spawn a wildly successful trilogy, with Deadpool & Wolverine clearing a staggering $1 billion globally? Definitely not Baccarin!

In a recent chat with Variety, the actress couldn't hide her astonishment at the franchise's meteoric rise. "It’s been such a long journey. I can’t [believe] it’s almost 10 years since we shot the first one. I never would have imagined in my wildest dreams that that’s what it would have turned out to be," she shared. And honestly, can you blame her? Remember how long Ryan Reynolds campaigned to get this movie made, only for Fox to reportedly pass on the test footage until it famously leaked online? That fan outcry was what finally greenlit the film, proving that sometimes, the fans truly do have the power!

While Baccarin clearly had a blast filming ("We had so much fun shooting it. It was such a fun world."), fans of Vanessa might have noticed her screen time was a bit limited in Deadpool & Wolverine. After being tragically, albeit temporarily, killed off at the start of Deadpool 2 (thanks to some timeline shenanigans from Wade), her return in the latest film was more of a brief reunion. She acknowledged this with a good-natured understanding: "I hope that I get to do more of it and participate a little bit more than the last one. But I understood that it was the bro comedy."

But here’s where it gets interesting for those of us hoping for more Vanessa: the comics offer a fantastic future for her character. In the source material, Vanessa becomes Copycat, a shapeshifting mutant mercenary. With the MCU now fully embracing mutants and gearing up for its own X-Men saga, the door is wide open for Marvel Studios to truly unleash Vanessa's full potential in a potential Deadpool 4. Imagine Baccarin getting to play a superpowered version of Vanessa, fighting alongside (or maybe even playfully against) Wade! It would not only expand her character but also bridge the gap between the original Fox mutants and the new MCU universe. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

"It’s been such a long journey. I can’t [believe] it’s almost 10 years since we shot the first one. I never would have imagined in my wildest dreams that that’s what it would have turned out to be. We had so much fun shooting it. It was such a fun world. I hope that I get to do more of it and participate a little bit more than the last one. But I understood that it was the bro comedy."

— Morena Baccarin on the Deadpool franchise (via Variety)

By the Power of Grayskull! Stepping into the Universe of He-Man as The Sorceress

While we eagerly await more news on Vanessa's future, Morena Baccarin is already diving headfirst into another iconic fantasy world: Masters of the Universe! She’s taking on the role of The Sorceress, the powerful guardian of Castle Grayskull and one of the few who knows Prince Adam’s secret identity as He-Man. This isn't just another role for Baccarin; it's a nostalgic trip back to her childhood.

"I grew up watching He-Man, my brother and I, so it was a really big part of my childhood," she revealed. Talk about a full-circle moment! Seeing the live-action world come to life, especially with the intricate costumes and special effects, has clearly blown her away. "It was really cool once I got there and saw the costume and what they had in mind for me — the whole get-up and the wig and contacts and all of it." Sounds like we're in for a visual treat!

Nicholas Galitzine's Incredible He-Man Transformation Stuns Co-Stars

But Baccarin wasn't just impressed with her own transformation. She was absolutely floored by Nicholas Galitzine's dedication to becoming He-Man. Galitzine, who plays the dual role of Prince Adam and the mighty He-Man, underwent an intense physical regimen that left his co-star speechless.

"It’s insane. I saw him on set and he’d been training for months and months and months, I was like, ‘Oh, my god, how did you do that?’" she exclaimed. This kind of commitment from the lead actor definitely bodes well for the film, promising a He-Man who looks every bit as powerful and heroic as fans remember from the classic 1980s animated series and toy line.

Directed by Travis Knight and written by Chris Butler, this Amazon MGM Studios production is shaping up to be a star-studded affair. Alongside Baccarin and Galitzine, the cast includes some seriously big names:

• Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam / He-Man
• Camila Mendes as Teela
• Idris Elba as Duncan / Man-At-Arms
• Jared Leto as Skeletor
• Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn
• Kristen Wiig as Roboto
• Jónas Haukur Jóhannesson as Fisto
• Jon Xue Zhang as Ram-Man
• Sam C. Wilson as Trap-Jaw
• Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson as Goat Man
• Kojo Attah as Tri-Klops
• James Purefoy as King Randor
• Charlotte Riley as Queen Marlena
• Sasheer Zamata as Suzie (Adam's best friend from Earth)

With a powerhouse cast and Baccarin's glowing endorsement of the visuals and lead performance, Masters of the Universe is shaping up to be an epic cinematic event when it hits theaters on June 5, 2026. The movie wrapped filming back in June (of the previous year), so it's currently in post-production, getting ready to blow us all away!

Juggling Superheroes with "Sheriff Country" and a Dedicated Family Life

As if navigating the Marvel universe and the cosmic realm of Eternia wasn't enough, Morena Baccarin is also starring in a brand new, considerably more grounded, television series. She plays Sheriff Mickey Fox in CBS's Sheriff Country, a spinoff of Fire Country. The procedural drama sees her character leading a small-town police force while also dealing with personal challenges, including her daughter's battle with addiction.

Baccarin has been immersing herself in the role, even undergoing law enforcement training. "It’s been so fun to understand law enforcement, to train in that way," she told Variety. She spoke about the rigorous practice involved in simply handling a firearm on set, making it look natural. While she admits to being "very scared of guns" and not owning one herself, she's developed a "new respect" for the weapon and proper handling thanks to the show's on-set experts.

What's truly admirable is Baccarin's dedication to her family amidst her busy career. She actually insisted that the production for Sheriff Country move from its planned West Coast location to the East Coast to be closer to her husband, Ben McKenzie, and their three children in New York. She initially thought the job would be lost because of her request, but they accommodated her, which she sees as a sign of respect and partnership. It's a real reminder of the balancing act many working parents face in Hollywood (and everywhere!).

Whether she's saving Eternia as The Sorceress, potentially kicking butt as a fully realized Copycat in the MCU, or upholding justice as Sheriff Mickey Fox, Morena Baccarin is clearly bringing her talent and passion to every role. We can't wait to see what she does next!

Frequently Asked Questions About Masters of the Universe

When is the Masters of the Universe movie coming out?

The live-action Masters of the Universe movie is scheduled to be released in theaters worldwide on June 5, 2026.

Who is playing He-Man and The Sorceress in the new movie?

Nicholas Galitzine will star as Prince Adam/He-Man, and Morena Baccarin will portray The Sorceress.

Who is directing Masters of the Universe?

The film is directed by Travis Knight, known for his work on Bumblebee and Kubo and the Two Strings.

Where can I watch Deadpool & Wolverine right now?

Deadpool & Wolverine is currently streaming on Disney+.

Sources

• Variety - Morena Baccarin on ‘Sheriff Country,’ More ‘Deadpool’ Movies and Seeing Muscled-Up Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man on ‘Masters of the Universe’ Set: ‘Oh My, God, How Did You Do That?’
• Collider - Morena Baccarin Hyped for 'Masters of the Universe' Movie and Nicholas Galitzine's He-Man Physique
• Just Jared - Morena Baccarin Reveals How Being in the Live-Action 'Masters of the Universe' Was Full Circle For Her
• ComicBook.com - Morena Baccarin on Deadpool & Wolverine And Hypes Up Nicholas Galitzine's He-Man In Masters Of The Universe
• The Direct - Deadpool & Wolverine Star Is Already Eyeing a Bigger Part in Deadpool 4