Deadpool & Wolverine is finally in theaters. Ever since Deadpool 2 stormed into movie houses six years ago, fans have been speculating about potential cameo appearances. With 20th Century Fox handing the proverbial keys over to Disney, it marked a new era for a slate of Marvel superheroes. And with the movie now out for audiences to devour, we’ve finally had a chance to take in all the wild and wonderful cameos that you won’t want to miss once you take your seat at the theater.
So who can you expect to see making an appearance? At the top of the list has been the cast of the X-Men film franchise: Could Storm (Halle Berry), Cyclops (James Marsden), Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), Professor X (Patrick Stewart) or Magneto (Ian McKellen) grace the big screen once again? In the Marvel Multiverse, anything is possible.
Peggy the dog is one superstar who appears in Deadpool & Wolverine.
In Deadpool & Wolverine, the titular characters battle to retain their legacy, while repairing their self-worth within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The crew of comic book cameos, whom the duo meet in The Void (the Time Variance Authority’s otherworldly trash dump), share that they too are outcasts, kicked to the proverbial curb in one way or another without a fitting end to their storylines.
Either franchises were cut short, sequels were canceled or announced movies never got off the ground. The point is that most of these heroes are rescued from their own void to get another chance to shine, and a few others hang out purely for fun.
Be warned, major spoilers exist beyond this point. If you don’t want to know who showed up until you see Deadpool & Wolverine, I advise you to turn back now.
Read more: Now There’s a Wolverine Rounded Butt Xbox Controller to Go With Deadpool
Chris Evans brought The Human Torch to the MCU
Chris Evans reprised his role of Johnny Storm from the Fantastic Four movies in Deadpool & Wolverine.
The appearance of Chris Evans is a delightful bait-and-switch. He became a household name for his portrayal of Captain America throughout the MCU’s Infinity Saga. But his first foray into the world of superhero movies was as Johnny Storm — aka The Human Torch — in the Fantastic Four movies of the early aughts.
The rumor mill has pumped out speculations that Evans would reprise the role as Cap here and there. So his appearance in Deadpool 3 was thoroughly exciting. When the “flame on” reveal came, it began a fun trend of bringing back forgotten superheroes from two decades ago. Storm’s own story in Deadpool & Wolverine ended in a supremely gruesome way after a barrage of profane insults to represent the difference between him and the ever-honorable Steve Rogers.
Dafne Keen as Laura Howlett (aka X-23)
Dafne Keen coming back as a grown-up X-23, who she first played in Logan, is the necessary glue to establish — and maintain — the emotional stakes of the film. Wolverine saved her life in the 2017 movie, which ultimately cost him his own.
Here, she’s part of the resistance fighters who help Wade and Logan escape The Void. More importantly, she gets this Wolverine to step up to the plate to help the team. Not to mention, it’s X-23 that delivers Juggernaut’s helmet to Deadpool and Wolverine to block her invasive mental powers. Logan once again gives her a second shot at life and she survives the movie to see another day.
Channing Tatum’s Gambit finally happened
The character of Gambit — also known as Remy LeBeau or the Ragin’ Cajun — found new life on the small screen in the recent X-Men 97 animated series. The supporting X-Men character, who hails from New Orleans, deals with playing cards that cause kinetic explosions upon impact. He may not be a main player in the mutant team, but he is beloved nonetheless.
In 2014, a Gambit movie was announced by Twentieth Century Fox, with Channing Tatum set to play the character. It never crawled out of development hell. Directors like Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity) and Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean) were attached at separate times. Edgar Wright turned down the opportunity to helm the project. Tatum even offered to co-direct the movie at one point. Needless to say, Marvel movies have been a sore topic for him.
Tatum’s appearance as Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine comes with a fair amount of baggage. It also provides Tatum the creative outlet he has been focusing on for over a decade. Could his Gambit movie get new eyes now? In Hollywood, anything can happen.
Jennifer Garner’s Elektra got her epic ending
Jennifer Garner reprised her role of Elektra Natchios in Deadpool & Wolverine.
Jennifer Garner’s return to the character of Elektra Natchios was the only Team Deadpool cameo that was officially announced ahead of time. In 2003, the Alias star hit the big screen in Fox’s Daredevil movie opposite Ben Affleck. Two years later, she appeared in a self-titled spin-off film. It wasn’t well-received and left the character in limbo ever since.
Her return here brings an unexpected sense of closure for Elektra. Yes, she’s the first member of the Resistance fighters Deadpool and Wolverine meet in the Void. She helps them infiltrate Cassandra Nova’s enclave to escape. The icing on the cake is telling Deadpool not to be upset that Daredevil died in the Void. For an actress who has mostly remained private about this marital life, that was quite a delightful little dig.
Henry Cavill as Wolverine
Once Deadpool learns that his world is missing an anchor being, he takes it upon himself to hop around the multiverse and find a new Wolverine. Henry Cavill (aka the Cavill-rine) happens to be one of the Wolverine variants he crosses paths with. Fans first see the muscular DC star from behind, and he turns out to be another too-grumpy variant, tossing Deadpool into the bar where he meets Jackman’s Wolverine as the one he will spend the rest of his adventure with.
Wesley Snipes is the only Blade we need
Wesley Snipes brought Blade to the MCU in Deadpool & Wolverine.
Of all the characters he has played, Wesley Snipes is probably best known for his portrayal of Blade, Marvel’s day-walking vampire hero. He starred in three films and shared the screen with Ryan Reynolds in the third installment — 2004’s Blade Trinity.
Fans have been wanting a new Blade movie for some time. Development of the project, which is to star Mahershala Ali, has hit one roadblock after another. Until his version of the notorious bloodsucker sees the light of day, the original Blade movies will scratch that itch.
There’s always Deadpool & Wolverine. Snipes’ reprisal of the character is exciting, to say the least. Twenty-six years after first gracing the screen as the vampire antihero, his laidback confidence — trench coat, sunglasses, fangs and all — adds an element of level-headed cool to the mix here. Not to mention, it’s nice to see the character step out of the horror movie realm to battle in a straight-up comic book blockbuster.
The Hulk
Is a Marvel movie ever really a Marvel movie without the Hulk making an appearance? At the beginning of the movie, the big green guy is scrapping with a version of Wolverine sporting the iconic orange and brown suit, which he began wearing the Uncanny X-Men issue #139.
Honorable mentions: Blake Lively and Matthew McConaughey
She never revealed her face, but Lady Deadpool came and went quickly in the film, played by Blake Lively. She and her husband tried to throw fans off the scent, but if you watch the credits, you can confirm it.
Last but not least, Matthew McConaughey lends his recognizable voice to Cowboy Deadpool, one of the many Deadpool variants who appears in a massive fight.
