The (Many, Many) Cameos Are the Best Part of Deadpool & Wolverine

As someone who grew up devouring every Marvel comic and movie that came my way, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia and excitement as I watch “Deadpool 3: The Multiverse Saga.” This film is a love letter to the fans, a wink-and-a-nudge acknowledgment of the rich history of Marvel characters both on and off the big screen.


Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine.

In Deadpool & Wolverine, you may think you know what to anticipate due to previous comic-book movie experiences. However, be prepared for a shock with the abundance of cameos in this film. With a narrative centered around Marvel’s “multiverse” and Deadpool’s knack for breaking the fourth wall, the third Deadpool installment is essentially crafted for special guest appearances.

In “Deadpool & Wolverine,” various cameos are featured, ranging from established Marvel characters to those who previously starred in movies outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Some casting rumors also make appearances, making sense only to those deeply involved in comic-book film news (like Nicolas Cage’s Superman in “The Flash”). The abundance of cameos can seem excessive, but they result in several humorous and significant scenes. Since the film lacks substantial drama for its main characters and swiftly moves past action sequences that could become intriguing, these unexpected appearances might be the most engaging aspect of “Deadpool & Wolverine.” Whether they serve as inside jokes or contribute to the plot, or even do both, these cameos are a highlight.

As a passionate cinema enthusiast, I can tell you that in an intriguing turn of events, I, Jon Favreau, make a cameo appearance as Happy Hogan in this Marvel production. My character, a long-time friend and trusted security chief to the enigmatic Tony Stark, makes a low-key yet significant appearance. This scene takes place six years ago, during a time when Stark was still among us. In this pivotal moment, Deadpool, played by Ryan Reynolds, is undergoing an interview to join the Avengers. Unfortunately, he is turned down, leaving him disheartened and setting the stage for the emotional journey that follows. With no superpowers and a humble presence, Happy might not be the most glamorous character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, as a founding member of this cinematic universe, having both acted in and directed the groundbreaking “Iron Man,” my inclusion serves to warmly welcome Deadpool into the Marvel family.

In the future section of “Deadpool,” as Deadpool encounters issues with the Time Variance Authority, indicators that we’re now within the Marvel Cinematic Universe emerge. Scenes from “The Avengers” are shown, including one where Thor (Chris Hemsworth) mourns over Deadpool’s dying corpse. Although this might not qualify as a fresh appearance since the footage is reused and Hemsworth was unaware of his presence in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” there are numerous cameos in the remainder of the movie using more conventional methods.

In this alternate reality, as Deadpool journeys through the multiverse to find various iterations of Wolverine (portrayed by Hugh Jackman), he stumbles upon a fight between an opponent and the Hulk. Our perspective is restricted to viewing the back of the Hulk’s massive head during this encounter, creating an amusing homage to Wolverine’s initial comic book battle with the legendary Avenger.

In an unexpected turn of events, I came across Henry Cavill portraying Wolverine in a new Marvel production. Fan dreams were brought to life as I watched, following years of imaginative fan art and discussions on who would be the perfect replacement for Hugh Jackman. The financial success of “Deadpool & Wolverine” may just delay Jackman’s retirement from the role.

In an intriguing turn of events, Tyler Mane resurfaces as the savage Sabretooth in Deadpool’s multiverse adventures. This time, he’s joined by familiar X-Men adversaries such as Pyro (Aaron Stanford) from “X2: X-Men United” and “X-Men: The Last Stand.” These formidable foes have banded together in a lawless wasteland, alongside other Marvel baddies hailing from 20th Century Fox films. Among them are Toad (previously portrayed by another actor due to being a variant of the original character), Lady Deathstrike, Juggernaut, Callisto, Arclight, Azazel, Psylocke, Bullseye, and even “The Russian” from “The Punisher.”

Chris Evans makes a surprising appearance as Johnny Storm from the “Fantastic Four” (2005) movie, defying expectations as he is not portraying Captain America this time. Instead, Evans’ iconic voice echoes through the scene as he exclaims, “Flame on!” rather than the anticipated “Avengers assemble!” The scene transitions into Alan Silvestri’s “Fantastic Four” theme, and Deadpool eagerly awaits Johnny’s iconic call to action.

In the upcoming storyline, Dafne Keen portrays X-23 once more. Previously seen in “Logan” (2017), she encourages a new Wolverine, despite neither of them having previously interacted. This group, comprised of characters whose individual stories have been terminated, seeks resolution for their incomplete narratives – an intriguing parallel to the real-life fates of some Marvel franchises from Fox films.

Jennifer Garner as Elektra
The first of these characters to appear is Jennifer Garner’s sai-wielding anti-hero Elektra Natchios, from Fox’s much-maligned Daredevil (2003) and Elektra (2005). Garner’s version of the character (who has since been played by Elodie Yung on Netflix) isn’t particularly well regarded by fans, but the character’s poor reception plays into her story here as someone searching for absolution and a way to bring her story to fruition. Plus, Garner’s specific presence also yields a fun jab at ex-husband Ben Affleck, whose Daredevil is said to have died off-screen. When Deadpool offers his condolences, she quickly brushes it off with a snappy, “It’s fine.”

Wesley Snipes portrays the grizzled and experienced version of Blade, the day-walking vampire hunter, in New Line’s “Blade” film series. His gray beard enhances his charm, making him one of the most stylish superheroes ever seen in the genre. However, it comes as a shock to see Snipes in this role due to rumors of his strained relationship with co-star Reynolds during the production of “Blade: Trinity.” Before embarking on another battle, Snipes humorously asserts that there’s only one Blade and there will only ever be one, subtly referencing Marvel’s ongoing attempts to reboot the character, featuring Mahershala Ali, which have faced production delays since 2019.

Channing Tatum portrays Gambit in an impressive, comic-book faithful manner. He joined the X-Men cast back in 2014 for a spinoff, but production was halted due to the Fox-Disney merger. Now, Tatum brings the house down with his hilarious take on Remy LeBeau/Gambit. Despite his unintelligible Cajun accent, he makes a compelling argument that the canceled solo project might have been for the best – his performance is undeniably entertaining.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d express it this way: In this film, not only do we have Wunmi Mosaku returning as Hunter B-15 from Loki, but also a surprise appearance of Blake Lively as Lady Deadpool. Rumors had swirled about Taylor Swift taking on the role, but it’s actually Reynolds’ wife who brings Lady Deadpool to life through her voiceover. And let’s not forget the iconic cameo by the late Stan Lee, whose image graces an advertisement on a bus in the movie.

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2024-07-26 02:54