This story contains spoilers for .Deadpool & Wolverine” And this is what you should read next. movie saw.
Marvel’s muscle car is back, and he brought some friends with him.
It’s been six years since audiences last saw Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool on the big screen, but Marvel’s beloved anti-hero is back as foul-mouthed as ever in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” opening Friday. As the title suggests, the film also marks the return of Hugh Jackman as the gruff Wolverine from “X-Men.” It’s a reunion of sorts for the two characters. Reynolds first appeared alongside Jackman as Wade Wilson in 2009’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (minus the red suit).
As Deadpool repeatedly reminds audiences, a lot has changed for him since “Deadpool 2” came out in 2018. Namely, Disney acquired Fox in 2019 and acquired the film rights to popular Marvel characters like Deadpool and the X-Men. “Deadpool 3” takes advantage of the multiverse era of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and is filled with cameos from characters audiences will remember from Fox’s Marvel movie catalog.
Among those spotted in “Deadpool & Wolverine” are the aptly named Pyro (Aaron Stanford) from “X-Men” (2000) and “X2” (2003), as well as Wolverine’s arch-nemesis Sabretooth (Tyler Mane) from “X-Men” and Lady Deathstrike (Kelly Hu) from “X2.” Other familiar mutant villains making an appearance include Toad, Azazel, and Juggernaut.
There are also plenty of other cameos, including familiar faces from the MCU and other surprising appearances.
Here’s a breakdown of the biggest cameos in past Marvel movies, including “Deadpool & Wolverine.” (One last thing: If you haven’t seen the movie, turn back now.)
Johnny Storm
Johnny Storm (Chris Evans) becomes fascinated with his own fiery powers in 2005’s “Fantastic Four.”
(Kerry Hayes / 20th Century Fox)
Chris Evans at the 2023 premiere of “Ghosted.”
(Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Years before Chris Evans took on the mantle of Captain America and led the Avengers, he made his superhero film debut as a member of Marvel’s first family, the Fantastic Four. Evans played Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch, in 2005’s “Fantastic Four” and its 2007 sequel, “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.” The superhero team also included Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Jessica Alba as Sue Storm (The Invisible Woman), and Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm (The Thing). Johnny and the other members of the Fantastic Four develop superpowers after being exposed to cosmic energy in space.
Johnny appears in the new film as a potential ally for Deadpool and Wolverine, as they battle the telepathic villain Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin).
The MCU’s Fantastic Four includes Pedro Pascal as Reed, Vanessa Kirby as Sue, Joseph Quinn as Johnny, and Evon Moss-Bachrach as Ben.
Laura / X-23
Dafne Keen as Laura, Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine, and Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier in the 2017 film “Logan.”
(Ben Rothstein / 20th Century Fox / Marvel)
Dafne Keen at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in 2019.
(Robert Gautier / Los Angeles Times)
As teased in the film’s trailer, “Deadpool & Wolverine” will feature the return of Dafne Keen, who played Laura in 2017’s “Logan.” Laura, also known as X-23, was created through experiments using Logan’s DNA, giving her powers (and some of her personality) a strong resemblance to her surrogate father. Keen, who was just 11 years old when “Logan” was filmed, received praise for her performance, with Times film critic Kenneth Turan describing her as “an effective newcomer” in his review, and she was a fan favorite in Fox’s R-rated “X-Men” spinoff.
Deadpool and Wolverine meet X-23 as part of a team fighting Cassandra.
Electra
Elektra (Jennifer Garner) wields her signature weapon, the Scythe, in the 2003 film “Daredevil.”
(Jade Rosenthal / 20th Century Fox)
Jennifer Garner at the 2020 SAG Awards.
(Al Save/Los Angeles Times)
Between the launch of the “X-Men” and “Fantastic Four” franchises, Fox has released two films centered around the demon of Hell’s Kitchen. Jennifer Garner first appeared as Electra in 2003’s “Daredevil,” which stars Ben Affleck as Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer turned vigilante. Electra is a skilled saber-wielding assassin who serves as Daredevil’s love interest and antagonist. Garner last played the character in 2005’s “Electra,” a spinoff that follows the titular character as a contract killer. (Garner and Affleck were romantically involved off-screen and were married from 2005 to 2018; their divorce is intimately explored in the film.)
Elektra is part of the team that agrees to help Deadpool and Wolverine, along with X-23.
leaf
Wesley Snipes in ‘Blade: Trinity’ in 2004.
(Diya Pera / New Line Cinema)
Wesley Snipes at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Wesley Snipes played the vampire hunter Blade in the trilogy Blade (1998), Blade 2 (2002) and Blade: Trinity (2004), which also starred Reynolds. Blade is a half-human, half-vampire, whose mother was killed by a vampire while pregnant with him. He relies on a special serum to suppress his bloodlust. The Blade films are currently being released by New Line Cinema, part of Warner Bros. Discovery.
The only character (so far) to call himself Blade in the films is also part of a motley crew that includes X-23 and Elektra.
In 2019, it was announced that Mahershala Ali would play Blade in an MCU reboot of the character. After some creative shuffling, “Blade” is now set to hit theaters in 2025.
gambit
Channing Tatum attends the premiere of “Fly Me to the Moon” in New York City in July.
(Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Channing Tatum is finally making his debut as Gambit in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” Tatum had long been attached to star in an “X-Men” spinoff of Ragin’ Cajun Remy LeBeau, but he fell victim to Disney’s acquisition of Fox. After Tatum expressed interest in playing the character, it was announced in 2014 that he would star as Gambit in a future “X-Men” project. The “Gambit” film was originally scheduled for 2016, but was delayed several times until it was officially canceled in 2019.
Gambit (and his energized cards) are also part of the team that Deadpool and Wolverine work with to figure out how to defeat Cassandra.
Bonus: Henry Cavill and Blake Lively also appear as alternate versions of the title characters in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” Cavill, who appears as a Wolverine alter, has previously played DC icon Superman in other superhero franchises. Lively, whose face is not actually seen on screen, is married to Reynolds and is credited as Lady Deadpool.
