Ryan Reynolds recently disclosed that he reached out to Nicolas Cage, asking him to reprise his role as Ghost Rider in the highly anticipated film “Deadpool & Wolverine.” The movie, a major Marvel blockbuster, is notable for featuring a plethora of actors revisiting their iconic comic book roles, including Jennifer Garner as Elektra, Chris Evans as Johnny Storm, and Wesley Snipes as Blade. Reynolds aimed to include Cage among this impressive lineup of returning stars.
In an interview with Collider, Reynolds confirmed that Cage was indeed approached to appear in the film. “Yes,” Reynolds affirmed when asked if Cage was considered for the role. However, he quickly added, “Came to a conversation for sure. Yeah, but no.” This indicates that while discussions took place, Cage ultimately did not join the cast.
Nicolas Cage originally portrayed Johnny Blaze, also known as Ghost Rider, in two films: “Ghost Rider” (2007) and its sequel, “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance” (2011). These films were released by Sony Pictures, whereas “Deadpool & Wolverine” features cameos from actors who appeared in Marvel films distributed by Fox, which is now part of Disney.
Despite Cage’s exclusion from the cast, “Deadpool & Wolverine” has seen an outpouring of gratitude from the actors who did return. Chris Evans, who reprised his role as Johnny Storm from the “Fantastic Four” films, expressed his enthusiasm for the return. On social media, Evans described playing Storm again as a “dream come true” and noted that the character will always hold a special place in his heart. Evans last played the role in “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” in 2007.
Channing Tatum, who made a surprise appearance as Gambit in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” also took to social media to share his appreciation. Tatum had long sought to bring the Gambit character to the big screen, having spent years trying to develop a solo film for the character at Fox. “I thought I had lost Gambit forever,” Tatum wrote, thanking Reynolds for fighting for him to get the role. “I will owe him probably forever. Cause I’m not sure how I could ever do something that would be equal to what this has meant to me. I love ya buddy.”
One notable name not featured in “Deadpool & Wolverine” is Patrick Stewart. Fans had speculated that Stewart might return as Charles Xavier, given his significant role opposite Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in several “X-Men” films, including the 2000 original and his recent cameo in Marvel’s “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (2022). However, director Shawn Levy revealed in a “Happy Sad Confused” podcast episode that Stewart’s return was never considered. “Never even discussed,” Levy stated. “And it was studied. Studied by Emma Corrin big time because the Cassandra sibling-hood to Professor X is really interesting to us. But no, never discussed. Never, never considered.”
“Deadpool & Wolverine” continues to make waves in theaters nationwide, courtesy of Disney. The film’s success, coupled with its star-studded cast of returning characters, underscores its appeal to fans of the Marvel universe and comic book adaptations.
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