Summary
New officialDeadpool & Wolverineconcept art reveals a scrapped scene featuring Nicolas Cage’s Ghost Rider and Ben Affleck’s Daredevil fighting together in theMCU.Deadpool & Wolverineoffered fans dozens of easter eggsand references to MCU and non-MCU movies, from nods to the Avengers to friendly jabs at DC.Deadpool & Wolverine’s cameosalso paid homage to older Marvel movies such as Fox’sX-Menfilm franchise,Fantastic Four,Elektra,Blade, and the unmadeGambit. Yet,Deadpool & Wolverinecould have had even more cameos by famous Marvel characters.
Marvel Studios Visual Development SupervisorRodney Fuentebellashares on his Instagram a stunning piece ofDeadpool & Wolverineconcept art featuring a bigger, more brutal version of the film’s Deadpool Corps fight sequence. In it, Deadpool and Wolverine slice throughdozens of multiversal Deadpool variants— including a Deadpool dinosaur — with the help of Chris Evans' Human Torch, Wesley Snipes' Blade, and Jennifer Garner’s Elektra. More surprising, though, is that Ben Affleck’s Daredevil and Nicolas Cage’s Ghost Rider seem to be participating in the battle too.
How Close Were Daredevil & Ghost Rider To Joining Deadpool & Wolverine?
Daredevil And Ghost Rider May Have Been Scrapped Early On In Deadpool & Wolverine’s Pre-Production
Ben Affleck’s Daredevil and Nicolas Cage’s Ghost Rider would have been fitting additions toDeadpool & Wolverine’s packed cast, as they were a memorable part of Marvel’s pre-MCU history. However,including Ben Affleck and Nicolas Cage in a superhero movie as cameos or supporting characters seems like a particularly difficult task. Ben Affleck had a challenging experience during his time playing Batman in the DCEU, and he only agreed to reprise his DC role inThe Flashto give his character closure. Even then,The Flashwasn’t well received by fans and critics. Meanwhile,Nicolas Cage wasn’t satisfied with his Superman cameo inThe Flash, and he has had a busy schedule since then.
Deadpool & Wolverinewent through various challenges since its development, including delays, rewrites, and reshoots — partly due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. Handling actors' schedules is already difficult enough with a large cast, let alone when said actors are irreplaceable due to their connection to previous Marvel portrayals. Add delays to the mix, and bringing two more characters played by A-list actors toDeadpool & Wolverinemay have seemed unfeasible.
Deadpool 4: Everything We Know
With Deadpool & Wolverine being the most anticipated movie of 2024, it’s worth looking ahead to if Deadpool will return again for Deadpool 4.
Marvel Studios may have left the possibility open duringDeadpool & Wolverine’s early development, but the decision to cut Ben Affleck’s Daredevil and Nicolas Cage’s Ghost Rider from the movie was likely made early on. After all, the studio needs to lock down key elements such as the script, filming schedule, and visual effect plans, just to name a few. However, sinceDeadpool & Wolverine’s ending left the multiverse intact, Ben Affleck’s Daredevil and Nicolas Cage’s Ghost Rider still have at least two opportunities to return: inAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars.
