Who Is Paradox? Deadpool 3's New TVA Character Comics Origin & Powers Explained

Summary

  • Deadpool & Wolverine introduces new MCU character known as Paradox.
  • Paradox, played by Matthew Macfadyen, is a TVA agent.
  • The TVA play a major role in Deadpool & Wolverine, which makes sense since the organization is connected to the MCU multiverse.



Deadpool & Wolverine showcased several unfamiliar characters, with TVA agent Paradox among them – a new MCU character with a very specific comic book origin. Paradox was initially revealed in the first trailer for Deadpool & Wolverine, which showed Wade Wilson being taken into custody by the TVA before ostensibly rebelling against them as he proceeds to kill several TVA hunters. Unsurprisingly, a Wolverine variant appeared as well as returning characters from previous Deadpool movies.

In fact, Deadpool & Wolverine was the first time that many characters have appeared in the MCU, which helped to compound the significance of Deadpool’s arrival. While Paradox isn’t a character who’s been seen on-screen before, he does help make Wade Wilson’s MCU debut all the more special – though he notably does so serving as one of Deadpool & Wolverine‘s antagonists, which may come as something of a plot twist to viewers who expected him to be a potential ally for Deadpool himself.



Who Plays Paradox In Deadpool & Wolverine

Paradox is played by Matthew Macfadyen, and initially attempts to recruit Deadpool to his subfaction of the Time Variance Authority. It’s quickly revealed that Paradox is going outside of the TVA’s guidance in that he aims to hasten the destruction of Deadpool’s home universe, using a tool known as a Time Ripper to get rid of what little time Earth-10005 now has left after the death of its “anchor being” following Wolverine’s sacrifice in Logan.


As such, Macfayden’s Paradox becomes a key antagonist of the story, forcing Deadpool to race against the clock to try and find a way to ensure the survival of his home world and all those who are within it. The character also suggests some fascinating things about the TVA in the franchise, since the group don’t become aware of Paradox’s machinations for quite some time.

The BAFTA Award-winning Macfadyen is an exciting addition to the MCU, most famous for his role as Tom Wambsgans in HBO’s Succession, as well as Mr. Darcy in 2005’s Pride & Prejudice. The evidently versatile actor can be seen to somewhat lean into the guise of an English gentleman for his role as Paradox, resembling the Marvel Comics character on which he is based: Mr. Paradox.

Mr. Paradox’s Marvel Comics History & Powers Explained


Mr. Paradox plays a small role in Marvel Comics as the presiding judge over She-Hulk’s trial in She-Hulk Vol 2 #3. As a TVA agent, his powers are as limited yet nigh-omnipotent as his colleagues, and his ruling nearly erases Jennifer Walters from history as punishment for her attempting to alter Marvel Comics’ time stream by warning Hawkeye of his impending death. He does, however, appear alongside two other familiar justices: Mr. Mobius, and Mr. Ouroboros. With that in mind, it was only a matter of time before Paradox was set to join the MCU alongside his colleagues.

The trial ends in the deaths of both Mr. Paradox and Mr. Ouroboros at the hands of the minor villain, Clockwise. Yet it appears that Marvel is following a similar tact with its version of Paradox as it did with Ouroboros by making him a far more central figure than his comic book counterpart. There is a lingering similarity between the two versions of Paradox, however, in that they both share the spotlight with two of Marvel’s fourth-wall-breaking characters, which should be an especially interesting dynamic for the organization that exists outside of time to wrestle with.


Paradox also shares a name with a version of Dr. Strange that was created during a rebellion against Dormammu alongside Clea, a character played by Charlize Theron that was introduced in the post-credits scene of
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
– though the name is where the similarities end.

How Paradox Is Different In The MCU

Deadpool talking to Paradox in Deadpool & Wolverine
Image via Marvel Entertainment

The MCU’s version of Paradox is very different to the comics in many ways, most notably because this iteration of the character is a rogue agent who is eventually taken away by the TVA for his crimes against Deadpool’s timeline. Macfadyen’s Paradox is shown with a strong knowledge of how the multiverse works – and of the heroes within it – but due to the nature of the MCU, this is also inherently different when compared to the comics, and shown through details like being a big fan of Hugh Jackman’s original Wolverine variant.


It’s also worth noting that Macfadyen’s Paradox is still seemingly alive following the Deadpool & Wolverine ending. Ultimately, he’s arrested by the TVA, not pruned or killed by them – meaning it wouldn’t be impossible for the character to appear further down the line.

While the nature of this ending would make it entirely possible for Paradox to never appear in the franchise again, having another character who is able to explain the nuance of the multiverse certainly wouldn’t hurt the MCU as the Multiverse Saga amps up into its more climactic and thus complicated stories. Similarly, Macfadyen’s acting talents would only enhance anything he appears in, meaning there would be many benefits to him potentially reappearing down the line, especially since he’s the main TVA agent that audiences have seen in the MCU’s movies.


Who Are The MCU’s TVA?

TVA Hunters standing in the snow ready to attack with Time Sticks in Deadpool & Wolverine

The Time Variance Authority was first introduced in Loki season 1 and has since become the focal point of the timeline shenanigans central to the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. The show explains how the organization was originally created by the Kang variant, He Who Remains, to maintain the Sacred Timeline by “pruning” branching timelines created by variants who veer from He Who Remains’ ordained sequence of events.

The individuals responsible for carrying out this pruning process are called Hunters and use Time Sticks and Reset Charges to condemn the countless inhabitants of branching timelines to a Void at the end of time. The TVA’s Hunters and their Time Sticks were first revealed to be present in Deadpool & Wolverine in its first trailer, leading to a crude quip by Deadpool that confirmed that he and the R-rating he comes with would not change under Disney.


Deadpool & Wolverine sees TVA operatives be sent after Deadpool following his rejection of Paradox’s offer, but it seems as though the faction itself may have a more benevolent overall nature going forward. Loki season 2 details a radical change in the group’s motivations from the original Sacred Timeline goals, and the Deadpool & Wolverine ending shows Loki character Hunter B-15 arrive to help out the two titular main characters. As such, it’ll be interesting to see if the group serves as friend or foe if they appear in future installments – especially since it appears they could well be both.


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