Deadpool & Wolverineis jam-packed with Marvel superhero cameos throughout the film, but that didn’t stop Ryan Reynolds from trying to recruitNicolas Cage as Ghost Riderduring the development process. TheDeadpoolsequel was able to bring back forgotten relics of the superhero genre, including Channing Tatum as Gambit and Jennifer Garner as Elektra. For many, Wesley Snipes' appearance as his fan-favorite Blade character was the icing on the cake, butDeadpool & Wolverinenearly featured another major Marvel hero from the pre-MCU era.
BeforeDeadpool & Wolverinecame to fruition, it is well-documented that they tried to get Ben Affleck as Daredevil, as well as Ghost Rider, in the film. In fact, there isofficial concept artfeaturing the two Marvel heroes from the 2000s participating in the climactic battle sequence against an army of Deadpools. When it came to Ghost Rider, Reynolds confirmed toEntertainment Weeklythat they talked to Cage, stating: “We tried to get him, but he was a no-go…. I would’ve loved him.” During the screenwriting process, they had to let go of certain ambitious ideas, even though this was the biggestDeadpoolfilm yet. This includes putting certain major Marvel cameos to the side to serve the greater film. Reynolds explained:
“They were in early drafts. We had versions of that [sequence], but then as it shook out, you’re sort of looking…We’re trying to make the movie responsibly, as well. It’s a big budget. It’s the biggest budget of any of the Deadpool movies, but you want to give yourself as much constraint, which really I think facilitates asymmetrical thinking and creativity. If you have too much time or too much money, it usually murders that kind of creativity. So, yeah, you’re shrinking things.”
Well, at least the film didn’t waste its opportunity to include some other fan-favorite Marvel characters. Although Nicolas Cage as Ghost Rider would have been a treat for fans of his interpretation, perhaps he could still appear down the line in the Multiverse Saga.Avengers: Secret Warsis around the corner, so there is still hope. Until then, audiences can watchCage in another superhero universe inSpider Noir,a steampunk Spider-Man series that has the former Ghost Rider play an alternate universe version of the webbed hero.
Deadpool & Wolverinewas an ode to a bygone era of Marvel movies, but that doesn’t mean it had unlimited screentime. Including select cameos from underrated characters felt more in line with a Deadpool film rather than including big-name heroes in supporting roles. Like if Chris Evans shows up as Captain America instead ofJohnny Storm aka Human Torch, it would feel like a typical MCU cameo rather than a true blast to the past for select audience members. Yes, Nicolas Cage as Ghost Rider inDeadpool & Wolverinewould have been awesome, but he’s so big of a face and name that he would steal the show.
Ryan Reynolds Is Now Working on a Secret Deadpool & Wolverine Reunion Project
Ryan Reynolds is eager to team up once again with Hugh Jackman and Shawn Levy following their MCU hit.
Deadpool & Wolverineis now available to purchase digitally, and Disney+ users can stream the box office hitlater this month on November 12. It’s unclear if another Deadpool MCU film is in the works, but expect the Merc with a Mouth and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine to appear again sooner rather than later. Whether that be a direct sequel orSecret Wars, Deadpool and crew should have plenty of opportunities in the future to grace the big screen again.
Deadpool & Wolverine
A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
