In the film Deadpool & Wolverine, the character of Deadpool, known for his penchant for breaking the fourth wall, humorously acknowledges the film’s context within the Disney/Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
This self-aware approach is consistent with Deadpool’s style and provides an opportunity for the film to reference its transition from 20th Century Fox to Disney. The film also cleverly introduces a variety of characters, including some surprising cameos that play into the meta-nature of the story.
Among the notable appearances are Chris Evans as Johnny Storm, Jennifer Garner as Elektra, and Channing Tatum as Gambit. These cameos, while exciting, were somewhat predictable for fans familiar with the character’s history. However, the real shocker came with Wesley Snipes reprising his iconic role as Blade, a character he last portrayed in 2004’s Blade: Trinity.
The original Blade film from 1998 was a significant milestone for Marvel, being the first live-action Marvel adaptation and paving the way for the MCU. Blade’s success was instrumental in shaping the future of comic book movies. Despite this, Snipes had not appeared as Blade for nearly two decades, with a planned MCU reboot featuring Mahershala Ali still struggling to materialize.
Snipes’s return in Deadpool & Wolverine was a major surprise and a delightful nod to his legacy as Blade. At 61, Snipes still exhibits the charisma and skill that made him a standout in the role, although fans might not see an “Old Man Blade” project anytime soon, as the focus will likely remain on Ali’s version of the character.
There were rumors of a feud between Snipes and Ryan Reynolds from their time working on Blade: Trinity. These rumors suggested tensions on set, which were playfully referenced in Deadpool & Wolverine when Blade’s character expresses dislike for Deadpool, who quips about their supposed animosity.
In a post-release interview, Snipes revealed that the feud was largely a myth and that he and Reynolds had been playfully feuding for years. Snipes was initially skeptical about the idea of returning as Blade but was eventually persuaded by Reynolds and Marvel. The cameo not only paid homage to Snipes’s portrayal but also set the stage for future Blade appearances, hopefully bridging the gap to Ali’s upcoming role in the MCU.
