Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Deadpool & Wolverine
We could have seen Robert Downey Jr back in the MCU even before he was cast as Doctor Doom for the upcoming two Avengers movies as Deadpool & Wolverine co-writers made a huge revelation.
Deadpool & Wolverine Co-writers Had Plans For Robert Downey Jr Cameo
Robert Downey Jr. Image Credit: Marvel Studios
The creative duo behind the blockbuster hit Deadpool & Wolverine, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, recently spilled some intriguing behind-the-scenes details. It turns out, Robert Downey Jr. was initially approached to reprise his iconic role as Iron Man for a cameo in the film. However, the offer was declined, a decision that now seems quite prophetic given Downey’s shocking return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the formidable Doctor Doom.
The writers had initially crafted a scene intended to feature both Jon Favreau’s Happy Hogan and Downey’s Tony Stark. “There is a script. We have the Downey draft,” confirms co-writer Paul Wernick.
“A scene was written to start with Happy and Downey,” Wernick explained in an interview with IndieWire, with the hope that Downey would accept the cameo. This particular scene was set near the beginning of Deadpool & Wolverine, where Ryan Reynolds’ character, Deadpool, uses Cable’s time machine to jump into The Sacred Timeline, aiming to secure a spot in the Avengers. Deadpool’s meeting with Happy Hogan was designed to humorously highlight his unsuitability for the Avengers due to his self-centered nature. The original plan was to have Tony Stark present during this meeting.
Reese mentioned that Ryan Reynolds had read the scene envisioning both characters, hoping to bring Downey on board. Favreau was also crucial to the scene, as his chemistry with Downey was well-known. However, what the team didn’t know was that Downey was already committed to returning to Marvel in a completely different and larger capacity as Doctor Doom. Wernick noted, “Behind the scenes, we didn’t know about the Doctor Doom.“
The Doctor Doom Factor Behind The Rejection By Robert Downey Jr?
Robert Downey Jr at SDCC. Image Credit: Marvel Entertainment/YT
The writers were initially puzzled by Downey’s refusal, as they had never encountered a straightforward “no” from any actor before. Despite Reynolds’ best efforts to convince Downey, it became clear that the actor’s commitment to a new role left no room for the cameo. Reese admitted, “Downey was the only ‘no’ we’ve ever gotten, I think, in terms of people just saying, ‘Hey, I don’t want to do it.‘”
Although Downey’s Tony Stark could not be part of the scene, Favreau’s Happy Hogan remained integral, allowing the scene to retain its original essence. Reese reflected, “We would’ve loved to have Downey, but Marvel had this ace up their sleeve with his return as Doctor Doom. It just didn’t make sense to have him as Tony Stark.“
Interestingly, another early concept for the scene involved not only Downey but also the entire original Avengers lineup, including Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk, Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow, Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye, Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, and Chris Evans’ Captain America. Wernick revealed, “A version of that scene had all the Avengers in the room, where Wade was rejected and then dressed them down in a way only Deadpool could.“
The idea extended to including Rob Delaney’s Peter in the scene, adding a comedic element where Peter would casually pick up Thor’s hammer, a task Deadpool would struggle with. Although this version never made it to the screenplay stage, it illustrated the creative possibilities considered by the writers.
Ultimately, Downey was the only one who reached the point of reading the scene, but his return to Marvel as the villainous Doctor Doom in the upcoming films Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) reshaped the narrative. Downey’s rise to fame as Iron Man, culminating in his retirement from the role after 11 years, has now taken a new direction, much to the excitement of fans.
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While Deadpool & Wolverine missed out on the Downey cameo, the film has nonetheless thrived, introducing a multitude of characters and achieving significant box office success. The movie is on track to surpass the $1 billion mark, marking another milestone for Reese and Wernick, who have been integral to the Deadpool universe since 2009.
Deadpool & Wolverine is showing in theaters.
