Warning: This article contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine.

Summary

TheMarvel Cinematic Universefinally finds a replacement for Agent Coulson inDeadpool & Wolverine, 12 years after his death changed the universe forever. Agent Coulson’s death in 2012’sTheAvengerswas the catalyst that finally brought the superhero team together. Since then,the MCU timelinehas desperately needed a replacement for him, having finally found one in a character that has been around since the beginning.

Deadpool & Wolverineis filled witha huge number of Easter eggsand references that almost any fan of Marvel’s history of film would love. One earlyDeadpool & Wolverinecameoin the film comes from Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan, longtime friend, bodyguard, and driver of Tony Stark.Happy has been a consistent character throughout the MCU, starting withIron ManthroughSpider-Man: No Way Home,prior to appearing inDeadpool & Wolverine,making him a solid replacement for Agent Coulson.

Deadpool and Wolverine standing face to face with a blue street background

Agent Coulson did return inAgents of SHIELD, but that series was decanonized from Marvel’s sacred timeline and is still regarded to be in a nebulous state of canon to this day.

3 Best Marvel Cameos in Deadpool and Wolverine

Deadpool and Wolverine are the stars of the latest MCU blockbuster, but the film features some other incredible Marvel cameos.

Deadpool & Wolverine Confirms Happy Hogan Is Agent Coulson’s Replacement

Agent Coulson was one of the main members of SHIELD responsible for recruiting the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes prior to them finally coming together inThe Avengers.

InDeadpool & Wolverine, Wade Wilson uses Cable’s time device to enter the main MCU timeline, where he hopes to become a member of the Avengers.This scene takes place prior toAvengers: Endgame, and Happy Hogan is the one who conducts the interview to determine if Deadpool is right for the team.Of course, the interview doesn’t go as planned and Wade’s Avengers application is rejected by Happy. Overseeing recruitment for the Avengers is similar to Agent Coulson’s prior job working for Nick Fury during Phase 1 of the MCU.

Happy Hogan, Pepper Potts, and Morgan Stark listening to Tony Stark’s hologram in Avengers Endgame

Agent Coulson was one of the main members of SHIELD responsible for recruiting the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes prior to them finally coming together inThe Avengers.Following his death, there really wasn’t anyone to take his place as a recruiter for the Avengers.Deadpool & Wolverineconfirms that Happy Hogan took up the slack in the recruiting department, but how long he had been doing it for remains unclear.

Is Happy Hogan Still Overseeing New Avengers Recruits?

Deadpool & Wolverine’sendingisn’t clear about what Happy Hogan’s role is in the modern day MCU, as his only appearance is during his early cameo. It also isn’t clear if the Avengers fully continued operations after defeating Thanos. TheShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringspost credit scene when Bruce Banner and Captain Marvel look to recruit Shang Chi suggests some version of the team may be operational, butCaptain America: Brave New World’s trailerseems to suggest that the Avengers stopped functioning as a public group afterEndgame.

Happy’s appearances inSpider-Man: Far From HomeandSpider-Man: No Way Homedon’t explicitly state what he does following the events ofAvengers: Endgameand the death of Tony Stark. It’s unknown if Happy will return to any other films afterDeadpool & Wolverine, but films likeAvengers: DoomsdayorAvengers: Secret Warscan provide more concrete answers to whether he continued to recruit new members after losing his closest friend inEndgameand then his love interest when Aunt May died inSpider-Man: No Way Home.

Deadpool and Wolverine Poster Showing Wade Wilson’s Swords Showing Hugh Jackman’s Reflection

Agent Coulson was one of the most enjoyable characters during Phase 1 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His death was the first major moment in truly getting the Avengers to work together, and his absence has been felt ever since.Deadpool & Wolverinefinally showed that Happy Hogan took up some of his responsibilities, at least for a certain period of time, recruiting new members to join the Avengers. It could be a good move to keep Happy in a role like that if the MCU decides to keep the character on in some capacity.

Deadpool & Wolverine

Cast

A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.