Freddie Stroma’s name has begun to take force among the fan community as the ideal candidate to replace Ryan Reynolds in the role of Deadpool, in case of a future MCU reboot.
The reason is simple: many consider Stroma to possess the same charisma and irony needed to bring Wade Wilson to life with the same spark that has marked Reynolds.

Freddie Stroma’s Vigilante in Peacemaker is stirring up fierce debates: is he a better Deadpool than Ryan Reynolds or riding wave of recency bias?

Freddie Stroma may be quietly rewriting the rulebook on what it means to be a Deadpool-type antihero, and fans are starting to take notice. The second season of Peacemaker can see John Cena’s Christopher Smith return to HBO Max, but it’s Stroma’s unpredictable Vigilante who has ignited a wildfire of excitement.

The actor, known to many as Cormac McLaggen from the Harry Potter films and Adam Cromwell from UnREAL, has brought a fresh and chaotic energy to Vigilante, a character pulled straight from the DC comics. His portrayal is so compelling that viewers have begun to compare him to Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool, sparking a debate: Is Freddie Stroma just a beneficiary of recency bias, or does he genuinely outshine Reynolds as a wisecracking, lethal antihero?

Deadpool or Vigilante: Freddie Stroma Reveals Who’d Win in a Fight

Peacemaker and Vigilante [Credit HBO Max]
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Peacemaker and Vigilante [Credit HBO Max]
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Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool. | Credits: Marvel Studios.
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Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool. | Credits: Marvel Studios.
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Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool. | Credits: Marvel Studios.
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Freddie Stroma’s take on who would win in a fight between Deadpool and Vigilante is as insightful as it is playful. While Deadpool’s regenerative abilities give him a clear physical advantage, the verbal sparring highlights their fundamental differences. When asked about a hypothetical showdown between Deadpool and Vigilante, Stroma was candid (via Instagram):

I feel like Deadpool’s got that regenerative stuff going on. So, I don’t know. In a verbal fight, I think he also wins because they… it’s funny they do and they don’t. Adrien doesn’t understand basic syntax or any kind of human communication, but Deadpool’s incredibly sarcastic and really understands it. So that they’re very different in that spec respect. 

Stroma’s insight reveals the nuanced difference between the characters: one chaotic but blunt, the other a master of sarcasm and banter. He also cheekily pointed out:

Maybe I think Deadpool probably would have vision done. He’s they both I mean we had the same stunt guy for season one. It was the same same same guy in the suit. So maybe we equally matched. Keep doing the same move over and over again.

This blend of humor and unpredictability has earned Vigilante a special place in Peacemaker’s world. As the show progresses into its second season, Vigilante’s character is set to evolve alongside John Cena’s Christopher Smith’s story, deepening the narrative while teasing wider DCU connections.

The show’s creators seem poised to expand the boundaries of what a comic book antihero can be, and Stroma’s performance is central to that evolution.

Is Freddie Stroma Really That Good in Peacemaker? Inside Past Roles & Deadpool Potential

Freddie Stroma’s rise to this moment is anything but accidental. Born Frederic Wilhelm C. J. Sjöström in London, the actor, 38, balanced his acting ambitions with an academic pursuit of neuroscience at University College London (via Independent). From his early role as Cormac McLaggen in the Harry Potter films to appearances in UnREAL, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, and Bridgerton, Stroma’s diverse portfolio showcases his range and adaptability.

Freddie Stroma in Peacemaker Season 2 | Image via Warner Bros, Discovery

His portrayal of Vigilante in Peacemaker marks a significant leap into a darker, more complex role that allows him to flex both comedic timing and intense action chops. Unlike Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool, whose quick wit and charm are front and center, Stroma’s Vigilante is rougher around the edges, often socially awkward, and unpredictably violent.

This contrast might be why some fans argue Stroma brings a refreshing take to the antihero archetype, potentially even surpassing Reynolds in a genre where charisma and combat prowess must coexist. With a nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series from the Online Film & Television Association in 2022, Stroma’s work is gaining industry recognition.

Here’s a clean, organized table summarizing Freddie Stroma’s key film and TV roles:

Year
Title
Role
Type
Notes

2009
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Cormac McLaggen
Film
First appearance in the Harry Potter series

2010
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1
Cormac McLaggen
Film
Continued role

2011
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Cormac McLaggen
Film
Final Harry Potter film

2010
4.3.2.1.
Cool Brett
Film
Crime-thriller

2011
A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song
Luke Morgan
Film (Direct-to-DVD)
Romantic film

2012
Pitch Perfect
Luke
Film
Supporting role

2014
After the Dark
Jack
Film
Psychological thriller

2016
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
Brit Vayner
Film
Michael Bay action-drama

2018
Second Act
Ron Ebsen
Film
Comedy-drama

2006
Mayo
Lucas Harper
TV Series
Episode role

2006
Casualty
James Huppert
TV Series
Episode role

2015-16
UnREAL
Adam Cromwell
TV Series
Main role (season 1), guest (season 2)

2016
Game of Thrones
Dickon Tarly
TV Series
Episode “Blood of My Blood”

2017
Time After Time
H.G. Wells
TV Series
Lead role

2019
Grand Hotel
Oliver
TV Series
2 episodes

2020
Bridgerton
Prince Friedrich
TV Series
Recurring role

2021
The Crew
Jake Martin
TV Series
Main role

2022–Present
Peacemaker
Adrian Chase / Vigilante
TV Series
Main role

Is Freddie Stroma simply riding the wave of recency bias, or is he truly carving out a space that could challenge Ryan Reynolds’ iconic Deadpool? Will Stroma’s Vigilante redefine what it means to be a comic book antihero, or will Reynolds’ Deadpool remain the undisputed king?