Deadpool & Wolverine Cameos: My Top 5, Ranked
Written by Dan Bibby
Woah, woah, woah! Hold up! There are a whole bunch of spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine in this list. Turn back now if you're trying to avoid them.
What an absolute experience watching Deadpool & Wolverine is. I went in pumped for what I expected to be an endless slew of familiar faces, and I wasn't disappointed. In fact, there are so many exciting character moments that I genuinely lost track and tried to count them all off in my head on the drive home from the midnight screening. I'll just say now that it can't be done. At least, not from a single viewing.
I know I'm probably in the minority, but I've always had a soft spot for the X-Men movies. Sure, Hugh Jackman's Wolverine was often the best bit, but I liked the other characters and most of the storytelling too. While it's great to see Jackman finally get the script, costume, and budget that his version of Wolverine had long been overdue, there were other comebacks and cameos in his team-up with Deadpool that had me audibly gasping in the cinema - or giggling like a schoolgirl.
I know I'm probably in the minority, but I've always had a soft spot for the X-Men movies. Sure, Hugh Jackman's Wolverine was often the best bit, but I liked the other characters and most of the storytelling too. While it's great to see Jackman finally get the script, costume, and budget that his version of Wolverine had long been overdue, there were other comebacks and cameos in his team-up with Deadpool that had me audibly gasping in the cinema - or giggling like a schoolgirl.
5. Jennifer Garner As Elektra
Last seen in: Daredevil (2001)
After a while, I tuned out of the cameo updates leading up to the movie, as I wanted some surprises going in. So, I've no idea if Jennifer Garner's Elektra coming back was common knowledge ahead of release. What I can tell you is that I didn't expect her to show up. 2001's Daredevil movie may not be perfect, but those early Marvel movies needed to walk so the others could eventually run.
She may have since been eclipsed by Elodie Yung's version of the character in Netflix's Daredevil show, but Garner still did a solid job of bringing the character to life in live-action. I also found myself oddly moved by the suggestion that Ben Affleck's Daredevil died trying to take down Cassandra Nova. Nostalgia does funny things to a man.
She may have since been eclipsed by Elodie Yung's version of the character in Netflix's Daredevil show, but Garner still did a solid job of bringing the character to life in live-action. I also found myself oddly moved by the suggestion that Ben Affleck's Daredevil died trying to take down Cassandra Nova. Nostalgia does funny things to a man.
4. Wesley Snipes As Blade
Last seen in: Blade: Trinity (2004)
I'd be lying if I said I was completely up to speed with Snipes' Blade trilogy, but I've certainly seen enough of it to know I'd probably enjoy the movies if I ever sat down and watched them in their entirety. In fact, the actor unexpectedly reprising his role after so long has convinced me that I'll do just that. Also from the fallow days of superhero shared universes, Snipes' Blade never got the chance to interact much with other Marvel characters, but Deadpool & Wolverine sorts that the heck out.
His entrance in the 2024 movie is totally badass, and it made me audibly gasp in a blend of excitement and surprise. Blade's other cameo scene partners make up a trilogy of largely underwhelming entries into the Marvel movie library, so it's good to know the writers are aware that the Deadpool & Wolverine writers have grouped them accordingly, while also giving them a chance to redeem themselves in the modern age.
His entrance in the 2024 movie is totally badass, and it made me audibly gasp in a blend of excitement and surprise. Blade's other cameo scene partners make up a trilogy of largely underwhelming entries into the Marvel movie library, so it's good to know the writers are aware that the Deadpool & Wolverine writers have grouped them accordingly, while also giving them a chance to redeem themselves in the modern age.
3. Channing Tatum As Gambit
Last seen: In Disney's trash can (2019)
Fan art by: @rahalarts on Instagram
This one was more of a resurrection than it was a comeback, as Disney pulled the plug on Channing Tatum's Gambit movie in 2019. So, his presence in Deadpool & Wolverine is a glimpse of what could have been. I've never really understood the appeal of the character, myself. Even after the return of the mutant in X-Men '97, I find his vague and confusing powers are at odds with his awesome character design. With Tatum in the role, I think I finally understood what I've been missing.
Now, I'm fully aware that the Gambit we got in Deadpool & Wolverine is more than likely a parody of how Tatum would have genuinely played the part. His intentionally over-the-top Cajun accent had me in stitches, but his general cadence and demeanour were oddly fitting for a live-action version of the character. I'd be a little surprised if Tatum's debut as Gambit wasn't also his last time in the role, but stranger things have happened.
Now, I'm fully aware that the Gambit we got in Deadpool & Wolverine is more than likely a parody of how Tatum would have genuinely played the part. His intentionally over-the-top Cajun accent had me in stitches, but his general cadence and demeanour were oddly fitting for a live-action version of the character. I'd be a little surprised if Tatum's debut as Gambit wasn't also his last time in the role, but stranger things have happened.
2. Henry Cavill As A Wolverine Variant
Last seen in: The minds of countless fans (Forever?)
Franchise journeyman Henry Cavill finally adds the MCU to his list in Deadpool & Wolverine, appearing briefly as a Wolverine variant as Reynolds' character tries to find a replacement for his world's Logan. From behind, he looks just like an everyday Jackman Wolverine, leading to a reveal that made me smile very widely and look around the room to make sure everyone was sharing my reaction.
I'm not a huge DC fan, but I do think Cavill did an awesome job as Superman, and his ejection by James Gunn felt really unfair after his Black Adam cameo in 2022. Even though his Deadpool & Wolverine role is put across as a bit of fun and a nod to how Warner Bros. has treated the actor, I find it impossible to shake the fact that Cavill now has a canonical character in the MCU's multiverse - and it's fucking Wolverine!
I'm not a huge DC fan, but I do think Cavill did an awesome job as Superman, and his ejection by James Gunn felt really unfair after his Black Adam cameo in 2022. Even though his Deadpool & Wolverine role is put across as a bit of fun and a nod to how Warner Bros. has treated the actor, I find it impossible to shake the fact that Cavill now has a canonical character in the MCU's multiverse - and it's fucking Wolverine!
He's been many fans' dream casting to take over from Jackman for a while now, but it's tricky to tell if this cameo is something to be read into or just something to be softly enjoyed. If John Krasinski's rapid visit as Mr. Fantastic in Multiverse of Madness is anything to go by, I'll try by hardest not to get too excited. (Even if I really want to).
1. Chris Evans As Johnny Storm/The Human Torch
Last seen in: Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
Although this was the cameo I wanted the most in Deadpool & Wolverine, it was also the one I thought was the least likely the happen. At least, I never expected it so happen so soon. Then again, Chris Evans' last MCU appearance as Captain America was in Avengers: Endgame...five years ago! So, maybe the timing is about right. I will admit that I initially took the bait and thought we were getting more Steve Rogers, but I clocked the edges of his Fantastic 4 suit just before the iconic "FLAME ON!"
Evans spent so long playing Cap that I forgot how versatile he is as an actor. While he enters the movie with the gravitas of a lone Avenger, his quickly switches to his goofier persona. Evans pushes the character a little more into the comical category than he did the first time around, but it suits the film's tone perfectly. Weirdly, I find myself wanting more of Evans as the Human Torch, but Deadpool & Wolverine makes sure that probably can't happen by cutting him down in a whirlwind of blood and bone.
Evans spent so long playing Cap that I forgot how versatile he is as an actor. While he enters the movie with the gravitas of a lone Avenger, his quickly switches to his goofier persona. Evans pushes the character a little more into the comical category than he did the first time around, but it suits the film's tone perfectly. Weirdly, I find myself wanting more of Evans as the Human Torch, but Deadpool & Wolverine makes sure that probably can't happen by cutting him down in a whirlwind of blood and bone.