Marvel fans rejoiced when Deadpool and Wolverine finally shared the big screen in 2024. This epic team-up brought together Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman for a multiverse adventure packed with surprises. Behind the scenes, the film was filled with hidden details, cameos, and production secrets that only true Marvel enthusiasts might catch.
1. Ryan Reynolds Almost Killed Deadpool Off
Before Disney acquired Fox, Reynolds contemplated ending Wade Wilson’s story completely. The actor had written a script where Deadpool would die while trying to steal the baby Hitler plot device from “Once Upon a Deadpool.”
This dark finale would have been a stark contrast to what eventually happened. When Disney brought the character into the MCU, Reynolds scrapped these plans entirely.
The Merc with a Mouth got a second chance at life, allowing for the team-up with Wolverine that fans had been requesting for years.
2. Ryan Reynolds Stole a Costume from the Set
After filming wrapped, Reynolds couldn’t resist taking a souvenir home. He secretly pocketed an entire Deadpool suit from the wardrobe department, adding it to his collection of memorabilia from previous films.
The actor admitted to the theft during a press interview, joking that Disney would probably bill him for it. Reynolds has actually done this before, taking suits from both previous Deadpool films.
He claims to have them displayed in a special room in his home, though he’s careful about who gets to see his private collection.
3. Reynolds’ Kids Appear in the Movie
Family affairs make this film extra special! Ryan Reynolds included his children with Blake Lively in small background roles during a TVA scene. The kids were carefully disguised and appear very briefly, making this a sweet Easter egg for attentive viewers.
Reynolds has always been protective of his children’s privacy, so their appearances are subtle and don’t draw attention. This follows a Hollywood tradition of directors and actors including family members in small cameos.
The children reportedly had a blast on set, though they were only present for a single day of filming.
4. Deadpool & Wolverine Surpassed Joker’s Box Office Record
Cash registers rang wildly as Deadpool & Wolverine shattered records! The film quickly became the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time, surpassing 2019’s Joker which previously held the title at $1.07 billion worldwide.
This achievement marked a major milestone for Marvel Studios, proving R-rated superhero films can achieve massive commercial success. The box office performance surprised even the most optimistic studio executives.
Fans showed up in record numbers despite the higher rating, demonstrating the massive appeal of both characters when finally united on screen.
5. Marvel Studios’ First R-Rated MCU Film
Breaking new ground for the family-friendly MCU, Deadpool & Wolverine proudly flaunts its R-rating with blood, profanity, and adult themes. Kevin Feige finally embraced mature content after years of PG-13 superhero adventures.
The decision wasn’t made lightly. Disney executives debated extensively about maintaining Deadpool’s mature tone versus toning it down for broader audiences. Ultimately, they recognized that watering down the character would alienate the core fanbase.
This bold move opened doors for future R-rated MCU projects, potentially including a rumored Blade reboot with similar mature content.
6. Henry Cavill Plays a Wolverine Variant
Superman meets Wolverine in one of the film’s most unexpected cameos! Henry Cavill appears briefly as a variant of Logan from another universe, sporting the iconic yellow costume and signature hairstyle.
Fans had long fantasy-cast Cavill as Wolverine in online discussions, making this meta-casting particularly satisfying. The actor reportedly filmed his scene in just one day, keeping the appearance top secret during production.
This marks Cavill’s first Marvel role after his departure from DC’s Superman, adding fuel to rumors he might take on a larger MCU role in the future.
7. Channing Tatum Finally Appears as Gambit
Justice for Gambit fans arrived at last! After his solo film was canceled following Disney’s Fox acquisition, Channing Tatum finally got to play the card-throwing Cajun in a multiverse sequence.
Tatum had spent years developing his Gambit project before it was shelved, making this cameo particularly meaningful. The actor mastered Gambit’s accent and signature card-throwing techniques specifically for this brief appearance.
While only on screen for minutes, Tatum’s portrayal received enthusiastic responses from audiences who had waited years to see his take on the beloved X-Men character.
8. Chris Evans Returns as the Human Torch
Long before he was Captain America, Chris Evans played Johnny Storm in Fox’s Fantastic Four films. In a delightful multiverse twist, Evans returns to his fiery roots with a Human Torch cameo that had audiences cheering.
The scene cleverly acknowledges Evans’ Marvel history, with Deadpool making meta references to his Captain America role. Evans reportedly loved the opportunity to revisit the character that helped launch his career in superhero films.
His appearance features an updated version of the classic “Flame on!” catchphrase, bringing nostalgic joy to longtime Marvel movie fans.
9. Jennifer Garner Returns as Elektra
Twenty years after her solo film flopped, Jennifer Garner reclaims her role as the deadly assassin Elektra. Her surprise appearance brings redemption to a character previously considered one of Marvel’s biggest cinematic failures.
Garner trained intensively to perform her own stunts for the sequence, impressing crew members with her dedication. The script gives her character closure while acknowledging the poor reception of her original films in typical Deadpool meta-humor.
Fans particularly appreciated how the film respected her character while still having fun with the history of Marvel’s less successful adaptations.
10. Wesley Snipes Makes a Surprise Cameo
Vampire hunters never truly retire! Wesley Snipes appears as Blade in a brief but memorable scene, bringing his iconic vampire slayer back to the screen. The cameo pays homage to Snipes’ role in pioneering Marvel films before the MCU existed.
Snipes dons an updated version of his classic black leather outfit and sunglasses. His appearance creates an interesting contrast with the upcoming MCU Blade reboot starring Mahershala Ali.
The actor reportedly improvised several of his lines, including a winking reference to his famous “Always bet on black” quote from Passenger 57.
11. Blake Lively Appears as Lady Deadpool
Keeping superhero work in the family, Ryan Reynolds’ wife Blake Lively makes a cameo as Lady Deadpool. Her character appears during a multiverse sequence, sporting a feminine version of the classic red and black suit.
Lively trained alongside Reynolds to master the character’s fighting style and comedic timing. The couple reportedly had a blast filming together, with Reynolds calling it one of his favorite on-set experiences.
Eagle-eyed viewers noticed Lady Deadpool using some signature moves from Lively’s character in “The Rhythm Section,” a clever nod to her action film experience.
12. Tyler Mane Returns as Sabretooth
Fangs and fury return as Tyler Mane reprises his role as Sabretooth from the original X-Men film. The former wrestler towers over other characters at 6’8″, bringing physical intimidation back to the character after 24 years.
Mane underwent three hours of makeup daily to transform into the feral mutant. His costume combines elements from his original appearance with comic-accurate details, pleasing both movie and comic book fans.
The actor performed most of his own stunts despite being in his mid-50s, impressing the stunt team with his continued agility and strength.
13. Aaron W. Reed Portrays Juggernaut
Bodybuilder and actor Aaron W. Reed brings massive physicality to Juggernaut, replacing the CGI version from Deadpool 2. Standing at 6’7″ and weighing 315 pounds of muscle, Reed required minimal special effects to portray the unstoppable villain.
The production team created a practical Juggernaut helmet weighing nearly 40 pounds. Reed wore it throughout filming rather than having it added digitally, enhancing the authentic feel of the character.
His performance combines practical stunts with limited CGI enhancements, marking a return to more physical villain portrayals in superhero films.
14. ‘24601’ Les Misérables Easter Egg Appears
Musical theater fans rejoiced at a clever Les Misérables reference! Hugh Jackman’s character is briefly assigned prisoner number 24601 – the same as Jean Valjean, whom Jackman famously portrayed in the 2012 film adaptation.
The Easter egg appears during a processing scene at the TVA. Deadpool immediately recognizes the reference and breaks the fourth wall to comment on Jackman’s musical theater background.
This subtle nod celebrates Jackman’s diverse career while providing an inside joke for fans who followed his journey from Broadway to Wolverine. The actor reportedly suggested the reference himself during script development.
15. Ryan Reynolds Curated a ‘Loganpool’ Playlist
Music matters for the Merc with a Mouth! Reynolds created a special Spotify playlist titled “Loganpool” that he listened to while writing the script. The eclectic mix includes everything from NSYNC to Radiohead.
Reynolds shared the playlist publicly before the film’s release. Many songs from the collection made their way into the final cut, including the memorable NSYNC dance sequence.
The actor claimed certain scenes were written specifically while listening to particular tracks, believing the music helped capture the right emotional tone for key moments between the two characters.
16. Deadpool Parodies Loki’s Iconic Line
Marvel fans howled when Deadpool delivered a hilarious twist on Loki’s famous “burdened with glorious purpose” speech. The fourth-wall-breaking moment directly references Tom Hiddleston’s character while putting a profanity-laden Deadpool spin on the iconic phrase.
Reynolds improvised several variations of the line during filming. Director Shawn Levy reported that choosing which version to use was difficult due to how many hilarious takes they had.
The parody connects the film to the broader MCU while showcasing Deadpool’s trademark style of mocking superhero tropes and dramatic monologues.
17. Henry Cavill Reuses His Gun Reload Move
Action fans spotted a familiar move when Henry Cavill’s Wolverine variant reloaded his gun using the arm-pump technique he made famous in “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.” The distinctive reload became a signature Cavill move after going viral in 2018.
Cavill suggested including the move himself as a wink to his action film history. The scene was specifically choreographed to highlight this callback while fitting naturally into the character’s fighting style.
Director Shawn Levy kept the camera angle nearly identical to the original Mission: Impossible shot, ensuring fans would recognize the reference immediately.
18. Deadpool Dances to NSYNC’s ‘Bye Bye Bye’
Boy band nostalgia hits hard when Deadpool performs the entire choreography to NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” during a pivotal scene. Reynolds spent three weeks learning the exact dance moves from the 2000 music video with help from a professional choreographer.
The sequence was filmed in a single take after multiple rehearsals. Reynolds insisted on doing all the dancing himself rather than using a double, despite the difficulty of performing in the full Deadpool suit.
Justin Timberlake reportedly loved the homage when shown an early cut, even sending Reynolds a congratulatory voice message.
19. Juggernaut Played by Reynolds’ Former Body Double
From body double to big bad! Aaron W. Reed previously worked as Ryan Reynolds’ body double in films like “Free Guy” before landing the role of Juggernaut. His massive physique made him perfect for portraying the unstoppable villain.
Reed and Reynolds developed a friendship during their previous collaborations. When casting began for Juggernaut, Reynolds personally recommended Reed for the part instead of using pure CGI as in Deadpool 2.
The bodybuilder-turned-actor spent five hours daily in the makeup chair to transform into the character, wearing prosthetics that added another 50 pounds to his already impressive frame.
20. Callisto Now Played by Chloe Kibble
Fresh faces bring new energy to familiar characters! Newcomer Chloe Kibble takes over the role of mutant tracker Callisto, previously played by Dania Ramirez in X-Men: The Last Stand.
Kibble’s version stays closer to the comic book portrayal, featuring the character’s trademark eye patch and tactical abilities. The young actress performed extensive combat training for three months to master Callisto’s fighting style.
Director Shawn Levy discovered Kibble through an open casting call specifically seeking fresh talent for mutant roles. Her performance has already generated buzz about possible appearances in future X-Men projects.
21. Toad Portrayed by Dany Ramos
Slime returns to the X-Men universe! Actor Dany Ramos takes over as Toad, the amphibious mutant first portrayed by Ray Park in the original X-Men film.
Ramos underwent four hours of prosthetic application daily to achieve Toad’s distinctive green skin and amphibian features. His version of the character incorporates more comic-accurate abilities, including an elongated tongue that serves as both weapon and tool.
The actor studied frog and toad movements for months before filming, developing a unique physical performance that combines animalistic qualities with human characteristics. His dedication impressed even veteran X-Men fans on set.
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