Warning! This article contains spoilers forDeadpool & Wolverine.
Summary
Deadpool & Wolverineappears to have brought back an incredible number of characters and actors from across Marvel movie history, but not Josh Brolin after his recent appearance inDeadpool 2as Cable. TheDeadpoolmovies have always leaned in to casting a wide net for talent, with Hollywood A-listers in brief cameos, and brand-new actors in significant roles. However,Deadpool & Wolverineis the biggest event of the franchise so far, as it marks the characters' debut in theMCU.
This means the movie spared no expense in getting a talented slate of actors to reprise former roles from Marvel movies stretching back decades. But whileDeadpool & Wolverinedug deep in the archives for stars to fill out the cast, there is one notable absence of a main character who most recently starred in both the MCU, and, perhaps even more relevant,Deadpool 2. Despite this,Josh Brolin did not return forDeadpool & Wolverineto play Cable or any other character.
Every Deadpool Variant In Deadpool & Wolverine Explained
As a big installment in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, Deadpool & Wolverine includes several variants of the former hero by the time the end credits roll.
Deadpool Jokes That Cable Didn’t Test Well With Audiences
Deadpool Makes A Lot Of Jokes
Within the world of the movie, which often blurs the lines between reality and the movies due to Deadpool’s habit of breaking the fourth wall,Deadpool actually addresses why Cable does not appearinDeadpool & Wolverine. Within the movie, Deadpool makes references to the character of Cable, and suggests that he didn’t test well with audiences. This is cited as a potential reason for the character’s absence in the film, but it is also very likely that this was just played for laughs.
In reality, thetest screenings for Deadpool 2 actually rated very highly. There are plenty of reasons for the character’s absence, from storyline, to actors' schedules, but it doesn’t necessarily point to anything bigger at play. The reality is that films have a finite budget, even when they are a Marvel movie, and there were a lot of other characters who were brought back that consumed much of the runtime and budget. Ultimately, it’s likely theresimply wasn’t room for Cable to come back.
What Josh Brolin Has Said About Not Returning As Cable
Josh Brolin Has Commented About Cable’s Absence
However, Josh Brolin offered a slightly different view on why he was not brought back forDeadpool & Wolverine. When asked in an interview byCollider,Brolin answered whether he was inDeadpool 3, and if not, why not, by saying he is not, he doesn’t know why, and maybe Ryan Reynolds simply doesn’t like him. In watching this interview, it is evident that the actor is simply being playful, but he does make his remarks with a wry smile and a direct look into the camera, as if addressing Reynolds directly.
It appears that Brolin would have been open to returning to the role, or in some other capacity, but that was not to be. It is possible that the star was simply too big a name to add to the film. Otherwise, it would have also eaten into valuable time explaining his appearance and role in the film, which was already jam-packed in the two-hour runtime. Ultimately,why he didn’t return in the film is not explicitly known, but there are also other reasons why it wouldn’t make sense to have Cable return inDeadpool & Wolverine.
Deadpool & Wolverine Post-Credits Scenes Explained
Deadpool & Wolverine has two credits scenes, so we break down what they both mean for the future and historic legacy of Marvel movies.
Where Is Cable During Deadpool & Wolverine?
Cable Was Busy With His Own Life
The events ofDeadpool 2saw Cable go back in time, in an effort to kill a boy who would one day grow up to be a murderous tyrant. This mission would have meant saving his family from dying, and allowed Cable to have a future free of that sadness and mourning from their deaths. However, his time traveling device was limited in its functionality and only had enough power for one more jump after he traveled back in time. When Deadpool proved he was able to change the boy without killing him, and sacrificed himself,Cable chose to use his device to save Deadpoolout of gratitude and respect.
This meant that Cable was trapped in the past, unable to see his family, but at peace with the knowledge that they were alive and well. However, the film’s final moments reveal that Deadool was able to get the device working again with thehelp of Negasonic Teenage Warhead. Presumably, after Deadpool had his way with the device and changed history even further, Cable was able to take it and use it to return home for good. This would explain his absence inDeadpool & Wolverine.
Deadpool & Wolverine
Cast
A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
