Halle Berry Says Blake Lively Asked if She’d Reprise Storm in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine.’ She Answered ‘Yes’ as Long as Ryan Reynolds Called: ‘But He Never Asked Me’

As a movie critic who has spent decades immersed in the world of cinematic storytelling, I find myself often reflecting on the intricacies and complexities that lie beneath the silver screen. The latest revelation about Halle Berry’s absence from “Deadpool & Wolverine” is yet another instance where the behind-the-scenes drama can eclipse the on-screen spectacle, much like a towering skyscraper overshadowing a humble street corner.

ATTENTION: This tale includes plot points that reveal key aspects of the movie “Deadpool & Wolverine,” now showing in cinemas.

Halle Berry revealed in a recent interview with ComicBook.com while promoting her upcoming Netflix movie “The Union” that she was never asked by Ryan Reynolds to reprise her “X-Men” movie role of Storm in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” The record-breaking Marvel blockbuster featured the surprise returns of several heroes from Fox’s Marvel era, from Jennifer Garner’s Elektra to Wesley Snipes’ Blade.

Berry responded negatively when queried about the possibility of reprising her role as Storm in the most recent Marvel film. Once, Blake Lively inquired about this during a Marc Jacobs fashion show encounter, and she proposed, “Would you ever be in my husband’s movie as Storm?” Berry replied, “Sure, if he asked me,” but unfortunately, he never did.

Berry starred as Storm alongside Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in four “X-Men” films: the first one in 2000 titled “X-Men,” followed by “X2: X-Men United” in 2003, “X-Men: The Last Stand” in 2006 and “X-Men: Days of Future Past” in 2014. Characters from these movies, such as Tyler Mane portraying Sabretooth and Aaron Stanford as Pyro, made appearances in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” However, Berry’s Storm did not appear, nor did Patrick Stewart’s Charles Xavier. The director of the film, Shawn Levy, mentioned that the idea of Stewart returning was never contemplated or brought up during the planning stages.

Among Berry’s most memorable performances is her role as Storm. In earlier interviews, she has candidly discussed disagreements with the director of the “X-Men” and “X2,” Bryan Singer, on set while filming the comic book adaptations. During one particularly heated exchange, Berry assertively stated: “You can take that sentiment and direct it elsewhere.”

As a seasoned movie critic, let me express that collaborating with Bryan wasn’t always a smooth sail. Previously, Halle Berry shared this sentiment with EbMaster, implying that he isn’t the most cooperative individual (in my humble opinion). Rumors about his behavior and personal struggles are well-known in the industry. On more than one occasion, I found myself enraged by his actions, engaging in heated arguments, and letting a few choice expletives slip due to mounting frustration. When I’m immersed in my work, I maintain a high level of dedication. Any disruption to this focus can drive me to the brink of insanity.

Occasionally, due to the challenges he was facing, he didn’t always seem fully engaged, as if he wasn’t really there. We were out in our small X-Men set, braving the cold in Banff, Canada with temperatures below zero, and he wasn’t giving his full attention. And we were freezing. It could make you a bit irritated.

Originally, filmmaker Matthew Vaughn was intended for “X-Men: The Last Stand,” but Brett Ratner ultimately took over when Vaughn declined the offer. This decision came after Vaughn learned that a studio executive aimed to trick Halle Berry into reprising her role as Storm.

As a devoted cinephile, let me share with you one of the key factors that led me to part ways with ‘X-Men 3.’ This tale is based on genuine events. I recall visiting an executive’s office, where an ‘X3’ script lay waiting. Upon inquiry about the draft, I was reassured not to fret about it. Intrigued, I picked up the script and flipped to the first page, where it read, “Africa. Children dying from lack of water, and Storm summons a thunderstorm to save these innocent lives.”

Vaughn added, “I found it quite intriguing,” he said. “I asked, ‘What’s this about?’ They replied, ‘This is a draft of the Halle Berry script, as she hasn’t agreed to it yet. This is how she envisions it. Once she signs, we’ll discard it.’ I reacted, ‘If you treat an Academy Award-winning actress who portrays Storm in such a manner, then I resign.'”

In “X-Men: The Last Stand,” Berry reappeared as Storm, but unlike in the script Vaughn read, there were no scenes set on the African continent. However, the movie did elevate Storm’s importance, with her assuming leadership of Charles Xavier’s school for mutants following his demise.

2024-08-15 00:17

Halle Berry Says Blake Lively Asked if She’d Reprise Storm in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine.’ She Answered ‘Yes’ as Long as Ryan Reynolds Called: ‘But He Never Asked Me’

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