Shawn Levy, the director of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” recently shared insights into how some of the wildest cameos in the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe movie came to be.
The film is packed with surprise appearances, including several from the Fox era of X-Men and Marvel movies. Levy revealed to Variety that every unexpected casting was the result of either Ryan Reynolds or himself personally reaching out to the actors. “It literally was us asking and invariably people saying ‘yes,’” he explained.
One of the standout cameos is Wesley Snipes reprising his role as Blade. Reynolds was eager to bring Snipes back to remind audiences of his iconic portrayal of the half-vampire, half-mortal hero. “Ryan had said, ‘Blade never really got that moment, and I think people don’t even realize how much they miss Wesley Snipes as Blade until they see him. Let’s give them that feeling,’” Levy recounted. Despite not having played Blade in a long time, Snipes agreed to return, understanding that the cameo was meant to honor his legacy.
Reynolds has since advocated for Snipes’ Blade to receive a send-off film similar to Hugh Jackman’s “Logan,” believing the character deserves more time on the big screen. This sentiment also extended to Channing Tatum, who finally got to play Gambit in “Deadpool & Wolverine” after years of near-misses. “I am obsessed with Channing as Gambit in this movie,” Levy said. “What went into this, first and foremost, is a decade of Channing wanting to play this part and a decade of Channing almost playing this part at Fox.”
Tatum expressed his gratitude for his MCU debut with a social media post featuring two photos of him and Reynolds at San Diego Comic-Con, taken nearly 10 years apart. He thanked Reynolds for making the cameo happen.
The movie also features several Wolverine Variants, all played by Hugh Jackman, except for one portrayed by Henry Cavill. Cavill, who recently ended his tenure as Superman in the DC Universe, embraced the playful nature of his cameo. “If we’re going to talk about him, we must call him by his actual credited name, the Cavillerine, which Ryan coined,” Levy said. Cavill agreed to the role immediately, appreciating the subversive and affectionate nod to his legacy as a DC hero.
Other notable guest appearances include Jennifer Garner’s Elektra, Chris Evans’ Johnny Storm, and Dafne Keen as a grown-up X-23. Despite rampant speculation, Taylor Swift does not appear as Dazzler, Ladypool, or any other character, which Levy admits “came out of nowhere.”
10 Trivia Facts About “Deadpool & Wolverine”
- Cameo Galore: The movie features numerous cameos from the Fox era of X-Men and Marvel movies. Ryan Reynolds and director Shawn Levy personally reached out to actors for these surprise appearances.
- Wesley Snipes as Blade: Wesley Snipes reprises his role as Blade, marking his return to the character after many years. Ryan Reynolds wanted to give Snipes another chance to shine as the Daywalker.
- Channing Tatum as Gambit: Channing Tatum finally plays Gambit, a role he was originally cast for but never got to play due to scheduling conflicts and the cancellation of his standalone movie.
- Henry Cavill as a Wolverine Variant: Henry Cavill makes a cameo as a Wolverine variant, humorously dubbed “Cavillerine.” This playful nod comes after Cavill’s tenure as Superman in the DC Universe.
- Hugh Jackman’s Return: Despite retiring from the role, Hugh Jackman returns as Wolverine. He was convinced by the opportunity to work with Ryan Reynolds in a Deadpool movie.
- Ryan Reynolds’ Persistence: Ryan Reynolds spent years convincing Hugh Jackman to return as Wolverine. His persistence paid off, leading to their collaboration in this film .
- Milestone Release: The film’s release in 2024 coincides with the fiftieth anniversary of Wolverine’s debut and fifteen years after Deadpool’s first cinematic appearance in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”.
- Leaked Scenes and Fake Leaks: Pictures of the Void fight scene, including Sabertooth and a comics-accurate Cyclops, were leaked. In response, Ryan Reynolds humorously “leaked” fake characters like Mickey Mouse and Steve Urkel.
- Deleted Scenes: Several scenes from the trailers and TV spots, such as Deadpool’s interaction with a TVA Minuteman and Pyro’s enthusiastic shout, did not make it into the final film.
- Director’s Oddball: Shawn Levy, known for family-friendly films, took on the challenge of directing this R-rated Deadpool movie, bringing a fresh perspective to the franchise.
These trivia facts highlight the unique and playful nature of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” showcasing the dedication of the cast and crew to bring beloved characters back to the big screen.
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