5 Deadpool & Wolverine Rumors We’re Mad Didn’t Happen (& 5 We’re Glad Didn’t)

Ahead of the release of Deadpool & Wolverine, there were many exciting rumors that proved fruitless, and though some would have been great, others would have been terrible had they come to pass. With Deadpool’s third major cinematic outing promising to bring the Merc with a mouth into the MCU, anticipation was incredibly high for the movie. As with many other movies in the MCU, speculation about potential cameos and plot threads ran rampant, fueled by widespread excitement for Deadpool’s franchise debut.

Rumors about a movie often spread fast ahead of its release, and Deadpool & Wolverine was no exception. Potential storylines and character cameos for Deadpool & Wolverine’s cast were speculated on for months, though many proved untrue once the movie hit theaters. While it’s a little upsetting that some rumors never came to fruition, there are also those that were perhaps better off having never happened. With that in mind, here are 5 Deadpool & Wolverine rumors we’re mad didn’t happen, and 5 more that we’re glad didn’t.

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10 MAD: Cameos From Cyclops, Storm, And Jean Grey

Fox’s Other X-Men Could Have Used A Multiversal Send-Off

One prominent rumor that floated around Deadpool & Wolverine was that several other characters from Fox’s X-Men movies would make appearances in the movie as well as Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. Among them were the likes of James Marsden’s Cyclops, Famke Janssen’s Jean Grey, and Halle Berry’s Storm. The characters may not have been hugely well-received during their original movie outings, but their absence in Deadpool & Wolverine still seemed like a missed opportunity.

All three of the characters are prominent figures within the X-Men and the wider Marvel Universe. What’s more, they all shared a connection with Jackman’s Wolverine, making cameo appearances all the more plausible. Briefly showing the tragedy alluded to in the movie could have facilitated their collective appearance, which could have afforded them a final farewell before killing them off with Deadpool & Wolverine’s characteristic irreverence.

9 GLAD: The Return Of Patrick Stewart’s Professor X

Professor X’s Legacy Would Have Been Tarnished By Another Appearance

On the contrary, another rumored cameo from a character in Fox’s X-Men timeline is better served never having been in the finished film. There was significant speculation about the return of Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier, and on a superficial level, his appearance would be logical. As well as his connection to Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, Cassandra Nova being his sister meant that he could have been a major factor in fighting the movie’s antagonist as well.

However, Professor X’s return would have further tarnished the legacy of Stewart’s version of the mutant leader. Having already been killed off in X-Men: The Last Stand, Logan, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, a further reappearance of Profesor X would have bordered on absurdity. What’s more, Xavier would have stolen focus from the movie’s two leads, which again would only have hurt the film, rather than helped it.

8 MAD: Vinnie Jones’ Reprisal Of His Juggernaut Role

Jones’ Juggernaut Could Have Been A Comedic Goldmine

Another rumor that circulated about a potential cameo hinted at Vinnie Jones reprising his maligned role as the Juggernaut from X-Men: The Last Stand. Though the actor denied his involvement, the rumor persisted until the film’s release, when it was clear that Aaron W. Reed had instead been cast in the role. However, as Deadpool & Wolverine made good on its resurrection of other movie superheroes, it’s hard not to envision what might have been had Jones returned.

Combining Deadpool & Wolverine’s treatment of its Juggernaut and the real-world response to Jones’ version of the character, it’s a little disappointing that The Last Stand’s iteration didn’t return. As the Juggernaut was killed off ahead of Deadpool & Wolverine’s ending, seeing Jones play the role a final time would have been excellent. Killing this Juggernaut on-screen would have put years of ridicule to bed in spectacular fashion, allowing the actor to own his widely lampooned portrayal of the villain.

7 GLAD: Deadpool’s Deleted Scene Extravaganza

Deleted Scenes As A Plot Point Would Have Been Overkill

As well as many rumored cameos and MCU references, one rumor involved a version of Deadpool & Wolverine’s story that focused on Wade Wilson being cut from multiple scenes throughout MCU history. The rumor hinted at a potentially interesting and innovative approach to the MCU movie, with Deadpool fighting his way off of the cutting room floor and onto the screen. However, in hindsight, it’s far better that the idea didn’t come to pass.

Considering Deadpool’s history of fourth wall-breaking, the deleted scene narrative would have been decidedly on-brand. However, using the gimmick as the basis for an entire story would have been ill-advised, as proven by She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’s divisive ending. Focusing too hard on breaking the fourth wall would only have hurt Deadpool & Wolverine, and the movie that was made was far better without the rumored idea.

6 MAD: Dwayne Johnson’s Apocalypse Variant

Johnson As Apocalypse Could Have Poked Fun At The MCU’s Rival

Of the many suspected celebrity cameos that Deadpool & Wolverine could have contained, perhaps the most ambitious was that of Dwayne Johnson appearing as Apocalypse. Having the instantly recognizable and widely beloved actor feature as a variant of the prominent mutant villain would have been an excellent choice on multiple levels. As such, it’s a shame that the rumored cameo never made it to the screen.

For starters, it’s clear that Johnson could look incredible as Apocalypse. However, the idea of the Void being filled with rejected figures from superhero movie history could have allowed for some fourth wall-breaking humor poking fun at the failure of Johnson’s DCEU role of Black Adam. Despite Johnson’s own comedic talents and previous collaborations with Ryan Reynolds, the rumored cameo didn’t happen, even though it had the potential to have been a crowd-pleasing moment.

5 GLAD: Mobius At The TVA

Mobius Appearing Would Have Distracted From The Film’s Real Story

As soon as it was revealed that Deadpool & Wolverine’s story would see its heroes encounter the TVA and traverse multiple timelines, many rumors swirled about what that could mean for the movie’s MCU connections. One of the most plausible rumors was that Owen Wilson would reprise his role of Mobius from Loki in the film, acting on behalf of the TVA. It ultimately never materialized, and that may well be a good thing.

Had Mobius been featured in any considerable capacity in Deadpool & Wolverine, it would have hurt the film’s story in a decidedly subtle way. By creating a direct link between Deadpool & Wolverine and the most central cast of Loki, the eponymous characters would instantly become entwined with major MCU players. Ultimately, that only would have served to distract from the movie’s overall narrative surrounding Cassandra Nova, so it’s likely better that Mobius wasn’t featured at all, especially since the TVA’s B-15 cameo worked better in its stead to center the story on the titular duo.

4 MAD: Taylor Swift As The MCU’s Dazzler

Paying Off The Popular Fancast Would Have Been Great

One rumored cameo concerned perhaps the most convincing fancast in the entire MCU. With one of the most prominent names being thrown out to play Dazzler in the MCU being Taylor Swift, it was naturally rumored that the singer-songwriter might make her MCU debut in Deadpool & Wolverine. Though the rumor may have been more a case of wishful thinking than genuine plausibility, it’s still a little disappointing that it didn’t come to fruition.

Those familiar with Dazzler as a character can plainly see why Swift is so widely considered perfect for the role. Though her undoubtedly busy schedule likely wouldn’t allow for an ongoing role in the franchise, a cameo to acknowledge fans’ backing of Swift as Dazzler would have been great. Considering Swift’s huge global platform as a musician, it also potentially could have proven a hugely lucrative collaboration had the rumor proven to be true.

3 GLAD: Deadpool’s Rumored Road Trip

A Low-Budget Road Trip Movie Sounds Like A Terrible Idea

Deadpool & Wolverine spent a considerable amount of time in production, and over its lengthy development, many rumors were spread regarding potential narratives for the film. One such rumor was that the movie chronicled a road trip between Deadpool and Dopinder, with later rumors suggesting the road trip was instead with Wolverine. Either way, it’s a good thing that neither rumor had any real bearing on the finished movie.

Perhaps the greatest strength of Deadpool & Wolverine lies in the chemistry between its two stars. Though this would have been present on a road trip, the more marginal focus on spectacular action set pieces would ultimately have hurt the film. It also likely would have taken away from the many cameos in the movie, meaning that the rumored low-budget road trip approach would have been far less entertaining had it happened.

2 MAD: Cameos From Hulk Variants

Having Hulk Variants Appear Could Have Worked On Many Levels

Though Hulk did make a minor cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine, it wasn’t in the way that many had hoped. Ahead of the film’s release, it had been rumored that Hulk variants would appear, potentially seeing either Eric Bana or Edward Norton reprise their roles as Marvel’s most famous behemoth. However, neither of the previous Hulk actors appeared, and it seems like something of a missed opportunity.

It’s a widely held belief that the MCU has wasted its Hulk by using him somewhat sparingly, so a high-profile cameo for the character in Deadpool & Wolverine could have addressed those criticisms. Furthermore, Eric Bana being friends with Hugh Jackman made a potential cameo seem all the more likely, bringing one of the most often overlooked Marvel movies back to life for a final farewell. Sadly, Deadpool & Wolverine’s Hulk cameo didn’t feature either Bana or Norton, which ultimately seemed a little disappointing.

1 GLAD: Mephisto’s MCU Debut

Finally Introducing Mephisto In Deadpool & Wolverine Would Have Been A Waste

It has almost become something of a running gag that each new Marvel title could be the one to finally introduce Mephisto into the MCU. The villain’s arrival in the franchise has been rumored for so long that many have given up trying to anticipate when he might finally surface. Even so, there were whispers that Mephisto might appear in Deadpool & Wolverine, though it turned out much better that he didn’t.

Had Deadpool & Wolverine introduced Mephisto, it wouldn’t have been the debut the character deserves. Mephisto’s highly-anticipated MCU debut deserves to come in a more organic manner, rather than being shoehorned into a Deadpool story that he wouldn’t have had any real reason for appearing in. Forcing Mephisto into the movie would have been a huge misstep, and ultimately, it’s for the best that he didn’t appear in Deadpool & Wolverine.

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Director Shawn Levy Release Date July 26, 2024