Warning: This Article Contains Major SPOILERS Of Deadpool & Wolverine.
The long wait with immense hype for Deadpool & Wolverine is finally over as the movie hits the screen after keeping fans in a constant loop. Directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in the title character, Deadpool & Wolverine has been one of the highly anticipated movies of the year and Marvel’s grand release. But most importantly, Deadpool & Wolverine has created the extension of the hype teasing several multiversal cameos giving fans the trip back to nostalgia while marking several X-Men characters’ debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Here’s every major cameo that appeared in Marvel’s biggest and only summer release—
Happy Hogan
The first cameo features Jon Favreau’s Happy Hogan, Tony Stark’s friend and security chief. In a scene set six years in the past, Deadpool interviews to become an Avenger but is rejected, impacting his self-worth that spans the entire movie. Happy, a non-superpowered character present since the first Iron Man, fittingly welcomes Deadpool into the Marvel universe.
The scene is a flashback that dates back to his 2018 interview for the Avengers. Happy appears to be a wise man lecturing Wade Wilson about the essence and role every Avenger plays for the universe. “You just said you want the job because you need it. But they do the job because the people need them. You see the distinction?” he told Wade which propelled rather a jibe from Deadpool poking at Happy. “What’s your superpower? Parallel parking? Sorry, I lash out when I’m nervous,” Wade said before his install apology.
Elektra
In the void, Deadpool and Wolverine are on the lookout for other banished superheroes, including Elektra, played by Jennifer Garner. She reveals that Daredevil, played by Garner’s ex-husband Ben Affleck, is dead. Deadpool apologizes, and Elektra, winking at the audience, replies, “It’s fine,” humorously nodding to their real-life separation.
Garner first appeared as Elektra in the 2003 movie Daredevil alongside Affleck. The actor reprised her role in 2005’s Elektra.
Gambit
X-Men ’97 has already teased the MCU debut of several X-Men characters and Deadpool & Wolverine is again making sure of it. Marvel Boss Kevin Feige recently revealed that the Mutant Era begins and Gambit might be one of the prominent characters to have multiple appearances in the MCU.
Channing Tatum’s cameo in the movie is one of the most surprising of all as the actor finally gets his decade-long wish to play the Cajun thief in now fulfilled. The cameo, however, was not explicitly the celebration of his version of the character that almost made it into a movie from a screenplay he co-wrote. Tatum’s Gambit is rather a source of hilarious humor as Deadpool made fun of his cut-short adventure for the character, now appearing in a lousy costume and unbelievable French accent.
X-23/Laura
Dafne Keen who played X-23 aka Laura in Logan where Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine died, has returned in support of this version of Logan. Keen has carefully kept her appearance a secret until the final trailer of the movie that was released a week before its release.
Keen’s Laura in Deadpool & Wolverine is the same variant as Logan’s but the importance of the character in the movie is far too crucial. She was the one to aid the title heroes in their fight with the main villain Cassandra Nova as Laura cuts off Juggernaut’s head to secure his helmet to block Cassandra’s psychic abilities. While Laura may have her spot in the MCU for more appearances, her cameo in the movie is certainly fitting as the biological descendent of Logan who inherits his claws and regenerative capabilities.
Stan Lee
Stan Lee’s cameos in every Marvel movie were iconic and Deadpool & Wolverine made sure to pay tribute to the Marvel Legend in a scene where he appeared in a poster along with “Stanless Steelers” textual graphics.
Blade
Blade’s popularity predates Iron Man, Spider-Man, or the X-Men on the big screen. Wesley Snipes’ portrayal of the vampire hunter in the 1998 film arguably launched the era of modern comic book movies. After a long hiatus of 20 years after Blade: Trinity, Snipes returns, quipping, “There’s only ever been one Blade. There only ever going to be one Blade.” This references the troubled reboot starring Mahershala Ali, announced in 2019 but plagued by delays and rewrites. Despite this, Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige assures fans that the new Blade movie is still in the developmental hell and will have an R-rating.
Sabretooth
Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine faces the X-Men villain solo, a battle fans have anticipated for decades. Deadpool, cracking jokes and breaking the fourth wall, advises Wolverine on how to win the fight. Wolverine tells Deadpool to “shut the fuck up,” and Deadpool sheepishly replies, “Good luck, I’m a huge fan.” The fight ends with Wolverine beheading Sabretooth.
Two actors have played Sabretooth: Tyler Mane in X-Men, where Sabretooth lost to Wolverine on the Statue of Liberty, and Liev Schreiber in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which revealed their half-brother connection. When Mane’s Sabretooth reappears in Deadpool & Wolverine, Deadpool notes fans have waited “decades” for this rematch.
Cassandra Nova’s Army — Pyro, Toad, Lady Deathstrike, Colossus
The primary villain of Deadpool & Wolverine, Cassandra Nova, has assembled a formidable team of henchmen from past X-Men films. Her crew includes Ray Park’s Toad from X-Men, Lady Deathstrike from X-2: X-Men United played by Kelly Hu, Pyro played by Aaron Stanford from X-Men: The Last Stand, and Stefan Kapicic’s Colossus from Deadpool. Also, count Juggernaut in.
The Human Torch
Chris Evans, who rose to fame as Captain America in the Avengers films, makes a surprising return to the MCU. Fans have speculated that his exit after Avengers: Endgame might have contributed to the MCU’s recent dip. When Evans reappears, Deadpool and Wolverine first hear his voice, and then catch a glimpse of his familiar jawline.
Just as it seems he’s about to say, “Avengers, assemble!” he instead shouts, “Flame on!” and bursts into flames. However, the villains quickly put him out, and he crashes back to earth. This moment humorously references Evans’ earlier role as Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, from the Fantastic Four films. As Evans smolders, Wolverine comments, “We don’t know that guy,” and Deadpool adds, “We thought we did,” highlighting their letdown.
Hulk
Hulk’s cameo is another big surprise for fans. The green giant, however, appeared in the reflection in the claws of Wolverine. Still, the movie has definitely teased a potential Hulk vs Wolverine scenario in the future.
Hunter B-15/Verity Willis
In a trailer released just days before the premiere of Deadpool & Wolverine, Marvel revealed Wunmi Mosaku’s appearance, reprising her role as Hunter B-15 from Loki. Near the movie’s end, as Paradox attempts to activate his Time Ripper in a dilapidated subway station, the TVA intervenes to prevent him from violating protocol and destroying Wade’s universe. Hunter B-15 confronts Paradox, detaining him for using an unauthorized Time Ripper, and expresses gratitude to Deadpool and Wolverine for thwarting Paradox and Cassandra Nova’s multiverse-spanning chaos.
Lady Deadpool
Fans have been buzzing since the trailer for Deadpool & Wolverine hinted at Lady Deadpool’s appearance, speculating on the actress behind the mask. Most guesses pointed to Taylor Swift or Blake Lively, and it’s now confirmed to be the latter.
While her face remains hidden in the movie, the post-credits scene reveals her name. Throughout the film, there are nods to Lively, such as Deadpool’s joke about Gossip Girl and a quip during a fight as he yells, “I’m telling Blake!”It’s hard to imagine how Lively contained the laughter. Additionally, Lady Deadpool’s long, blonde ponytail mirrors Lively’s hairstyle at the movie’s premiere.
Wolverine, Not Hugh Jackman’s Variant
Deadpool encounters a Wolverine variant portrayed by Henry Cavill, it has to be a fan service as the actor was in the swirling rumor to play a variant of Wolverine and fans have definitely loved it. The former Superman in the DC movies, Cavill’s infamous mustache removal debacle in Justice League gets a humorous mention, with Deadpool joking that Disney will treat him better. Cavill’s Wolverine appears in an energetic montage where Deadpool hops through timelines looking for a replacement for Logan.
Initially, Cavill’s Wolverine is seen from behind while working on a vintage motorcycle, he eventually turns to reveal his face.
A Few Avengers Made Their Presence Known
It may not be counted as a cameo but Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man died in a giant form and is now the base of Cassandra Nova. While the cause of his death and how he ended up in the Void is not known, the skull could not evade Deadpool’s wisecracking as he quipped, “Paul Rudd finally aged.”
It was also evident in the initial trailer of the movie when Matthew Macfadyen’s TVA agent Paradox showed Deadpool footage of some of the Avengers including Captain America/Steve Rogers, Hulk, and Iron Man.
There’s One More, Cowboy Deadpool
While the Lady Deadpool debate was on the horizon, Cowboy Deadpool also made prominence among fans. Cowboy Deadpool did not reveal his face it turned out to be Matthew McConaughey as most fans speculated.
Catch Deadpool & Wolverine in cinemas.
