Deadpool & Wolverine Almost Had Even More Crowd-Pleasing Cameos From Marvels Past

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As a seasoned movie enthusiast who grew up with the Marvel universe, I must say that the recent release of “Deadpool & Wolverine” has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride down Memory Lane. The film’s impressive lineup of actors reprising their iconic roles from the late 90s and early 2000s has brought back nostalgic memories that still resonate with me today.

In the movie, Deadpool and Wolverine, several actors reprised their famous Marvel roles from the past. However, many more potential candidates were initially considered by director Shawn Levy when he first made his list. Following two consecutive box office victories, Marvel Studios has finally lifted the spoiler ban on this R-rated superhero comedy, unveiling official images of actors like Jennifer Garner as Elektra, Wesley Snipes as Blade, Dafne Keene as X-23, Chris Evans as The Human Torch, and Channing Tatum as Gambit. For many fans, it was exciting to see a group of heroes reminiscent of the older Marvel films from the late 90s and early 2000s, before the MCU, but even more characters were considered.

During an interview with Variety, I shared that we had a list of around seventy Marvel characters we were keen on featuring in our movie. One character we pondered over was Ben Affleck as Daredevil, but the production team never extended an invitation. Instead, they chose Jennifer Garner to play Elektra, symbolizing our film series. There was even a clever joke about Daredevil’s demise in the void and how Garner’s Elektra, much like us in real life, doesn’t seem to mind Affleck’s presence.

Levy disclosed that they contacted everyone who appeared in the post-credits tribute montage, aligning with James McAvoy’s statement about featuring in the credits without receiving a role in the movie itself. Levy clarified this by stating:

Initially, when we had a menu featuring 70 Marvel characters, Daredevil was included, but since our early discussions, no further engagement, proposals, or similar actions were taken regarding him. However, during mid-credits, we reached out to every actor showcased in the Fox tribute reel, which totals dozens of individuals who contributed to that franchise’s history. It was enjoyable to create a heartfelt homage celebrating those years, the characters from that era, and the actors who brought them to life.

What Other Cameos Were Considered for Deadpool & Wolverine?

In my professional opinion as a movie critic, it seems Ben Affleck was initially considered for the Daredevil role, but a few factors might have played a part in his omission from the script. Firstly, Affleck had already made a cameo as Bruce Wayne/Batman in another multiverse film, 2023’s The Flash, which may have led both the creators and Affleck himself to avoid repeating similar roles. Secondly, the director of Deadpool & Wolverine, Shawn Levy, and Ryan Reynolds, who starred in that movie, had previously collaborated with Jennifer Garner on The Adam Project. This prior connection likely influenced their decision to work with her again rather than Affleck.

Regarding other Marvel characters potentially involved in the production of Deadpool & Wolverine, it’s plausible that every character from the pre-MCU era was under consideration. Rumors have suggested Nicolas Cage might return as Ghost Rider, and references to different Punishers hint at Thomas Jane reprising his role from the 2004 film. However, unlike the X-Men films, few original actors appear in this production, with exceptions being Aaron Stanford as Pyro and Tyler Mane as Sabretooth. Despite this, it seems the creators aimed to include more of these actors, as Vinnie Jones stated he was initially invited to reprise his role as Juggernaut.

Secret Wars, which is expected to conclude the multiverse saga.

Deadpool & Wolverine
is now playing in theaters.

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2024-08-07 18:03