Deadpool & Wolverine was a cameo-filled comic book movie dream come true, but the appearances in the film were more than just cameos. They were educated wishes that became MCU reality.
Given the film dealt with the multiverse, the possibilities for cameos were seemingly endless. From characters in the comics to actors from pre-Marvel Studios projects and even a casting that was left unfulfilled, Deadpool & Wolverine’s cameos did not disappoint.
Part of what made many of these appearances great was how their unresolved endings in the Marvel universe were woven into the plot of Deadpool & Wolverine. They didn’t show up just for the sake of fan service. Still, certain appearances were more satisfying than others.
In no particular order, here are our picks for the best cameos in Deadpool & Wolverine:
Dafne Keen as Laura/X-23
If Dafne Keen didn’t return as Laura/X-23, fans would’ve been upset — and understandably so. She was part of what made 2017’s Logan the phenomenal film it is. Her take on Laura’s tough, badass, silent but deadly demeanor balanced with her innocence and wonder was so well done and made the character easy to love. So it made sense for fans to want to see her again. And if we could get Hugh Jackman back as Wolverine, then why not Keen as Laura?
Now a young woman with a voice and life of her own, Laura’s return brought excitement and emotion. Her heart-to-heart with Logan was the catalyst that made him realize he could be the hero he’d lost belief in. And the fact she wore her stolen gas station sunglasses for the big fight in the Void? Perfection. It was a heartfelt tribute to the character who fans love and just the right amount of humor.
The only way Keen’s cameo could have been better was if it were a surprise. Her appearance was revealed in the final trailer for Deadpool & Wolverine. But it allowed her to attend the film’s premiere like she wanted, and we can’t be mad about that.
Hugh Jackman as Old Man Logan
Although Logan was partially inspired by the Old Man Logan storyline from the comics, the movie never featured that particular variant. Old Man Logan sported a cowboy hat and accompanying Western clothing but the Logan in the titular film never wore such attire. Deadpool & Wolverine, however, brought that concept to the big screen.
While Wade Wilson wasn’t exactly thrilled to encounter that rough, gun-toting, no-nonsense iteration of Logan, comic book fans sure were! Even in just that brief moment, it’s clear how Old Man Logan is such a stark contrast to Deadpool. So the cameo becomes all the more satisfying when the variant wastes no time shooting Deadpool.
Wesley Snipes as Blade
When will we finally get the Marvel Studios Blade movie starring Mahershala Ali? Given the continued delays, who knows? But Wesley Snipes’s Blade cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine ensured some fresh vampire content for the MCU.
Of all the cameos from characters in non-Marvel Studios films, Snipes was perhaps the most surprising. Even though Ryan Reynolds starred alongside Snipes in Blade: Trinity, the Blade film trilogy predates 20th Century Fox’s Marvel universe of mutants (and more). So it’s rarely part of the Marvel movie conversation nowadays. Regardless, it was cool to see Snipes return and have his cameo be an homage of sorts to his contributions to comic book movies before they became the trend they are today.
Blade’s standout moment in the movie was a bold and self-confident proclamation: “There’s only one Blade. There’s only ever going to be one Blade.” The line perfectly set up the character for a Deadpool fourth-wall break. But, for now, Snipes’s Blade isn’t wrong.
Jennifer Garner as Elektra
When Marvel fans think fondly of live-action Daredevil, chances are that affection isn’t regarding the 2003 Daredevil film but rather Daredevil, the streaming series that debuted in 2015 on Netflix and has since found a new home amongst its MCU companions on Disney+. But that doesn’t mean Jennifer Garner’s Elektra cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine went unappreciated.
The meta joke of Elektra saying “It’s fine” that her Daredevil was dead was the best and funniest part about her cameo. Garner first played the character in the 2003 movie alongside her ex-husband Ben Affleck in the titular role. She then reprised the character in her own film in 2005. It may not have been a popular movie, but having a woman-led comic book movie back then is a groundbreaking accomplishment to appreciate. So it was nice to see her extend Elektra’s narrative
Hugh Jackman as Comic-Accurate Short Wolverine
As beloved as Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine is, it’s not accurate to the comics. Jackman is 6 feet, 2 inches tall — nearly a foot more than Logan’s height of 5 feet, 3 inches in the comics. Given how well Jackman has played the role, his height can be overlooked. But Deadpool & Wolverine was the ideal project to finally have a Wolverine of comic-accurate height. Because, even though it was just for a short (pun not intended) scene, the humor of it all was just too much to resist.
Deadpool making fun of that respective universe’s Wolverine and his (lack of) height perfectly matched the audience’s reaction of uncontrollable laughter. Jackman’s head on a short and stocky yet muscular body looked as ridiculous as it sounds. Nevertheless, it was a delight to experience amidst a slew of Wolverine variants. But perhaps it also serves as a reminder that, sometimes, it’s okay for adaptations to not always be strict translations.
Channing Tatum as Gambit
Channing Tatum‘s Marvel dream has finally become a big-screen reality — just not in the way he expected.
Deadpool & Wolverine featured Tatum as Remy LeBeau/Gambit, the X-Men’s card-throwing mutant from New Orleans. The actor has a long history with the role, attached to it as far back as 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand. In 2015, his inclusion in Fox’s Marvel universe was so serious that he was even included in an ensemble photo by Entertainment Weekly featuring various actors from those movies: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, and even Miles Teller from 2015’s Fantastic Four, among many others. But he never got his solo film like reported. It wouldn’t be until 2024 that Tatum’s Gambit came to fruition.
Marvel did not shy away from the comedic potential of Tatum’s Gambit. The actor really leaned into the mutant’s New Orleans background and put on a HEAVY Cajun accent. At times, it was tough to understand what he was saying — in terms of making out the words said and what the string of words he spoke meant. But that was part of the whole schtick. Deadpool couldn’t stop commenting on it, making for humorous amusement.
Chris Evans as Johnny Storm/Human Torch
That wasn’t America’s ass in Deadpool & Wolverine, but it was still Chris Evans being hot — literally.
Evans took fiery flight in the third installment of the Deadpool series, reprising his role of Johnny Storm/Human Torch from Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007). Beyond the fact Evans deserves more love for his first Marvel role, what’s especially great about his cameo is how it juxtaposes the Marvel role he’s best known for: Steve Rogers/Captain America.
The initial shot of Evans in the film is of a cloaked figure in the Void, sporting a red and blue look that gives off the classic Cap vibes. It misleads an excited Deadpool into thinking Captain America is here. This makes for a meta moment where Wade represents the audience — until the reveal anyway. Because while Wade was confused about the lack of the “Avengers, assemble!” coming from the guy who looks just like Steve Rogers but isn’t him, fans sure aren’t perplexed.
In the post-credits scene, that contrast is taken a step further when we see just how foul-mouthed the Human Torch is. It’s an appropriate time to cue the “Language!” clip of Steve Rogers from the opening sequence of Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Henry Cavill as “Cavillrine”
Superman who?
In perhaps the strangest cameo, Deadpool & Wolverine featured Henry Cavill as a Wolverine variant who Deadpool affectionately calls “Cavillrine.” His Logan is seen working on a motorcycle while sporting a white tank top, smoking a cigar, and donning the iconic Wolverine hair. While Cavill looked great in the role, it wasn’t the best part of the surprise appearance.
The Merc with a Mouth insisted to the Logan variant that Marvel would treat the former Clark Kent actor better than DC did. Unfortunately for Deadpool, Cavill’s Wolverine had no love for him. Whether this was just a jab at DC or an implication of more Cavillrine in the future, the scene offered everything fans would want from a Deadpool & Wolverine cameo: surprise, fulfillment and laughter.
Honorable mentions: Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan, Aaron Stanford as Pyro, Hugh Jackman as Patch, Hugh Jackman as “Fever Dream” crucified Wolverine (take that, Marvel Jesus!) from The Uncanny X-Men (1989) #251, Ryan Reynolds as Nicepool.
Deadpool & Wolverine is now in theaters.
