Deadpool & Wolverine is, it’s fair to say, absolutely loaded with cameo appearances, with more Marvel characters showing up from franchises past than you can shake a Peter at (steady). Yet there are always the ones that got away. According to actor/co-writer Ryan Reynolds, he came close to convincing Nicolas Cage – or as his younger alter ego might put it, Nic fuckiiiiiiing Cage – to don his spiky leather jacket and flame-sporting skull to return as Johnny Blaze, AKA Ghost Rider.
Talking with Collider, Reynolds admitted that it had at least gotten to the two actors discussing the idea. “Yes,” Reynolds says, adding, “Came to a conversation for sure. Yeah, but no.”
Cage, of course played Blaze in the two Sony-produced Ghost Rider outings, the eponymous first in 2007 directed by Mark Steven Johnson, and the gonzo second, subtitled Spirit Of Vengeance in 2011, handled by Neveldine and Taylor. We can only imagine the fun that Reynolds’ Wade Wilson would have had with the Rider’s fiery visage and general moodiness, but sadly, it was not to be. Maybe if we get another main Deadpool outing which, given that this one is dashing towards $1 billion at the box office, is a definite possibility.
In other Deadpool & Wolverine cameo news, Channing Tatum, who most definitely did embrace the chance to finally play Gambit onscreen in all his drawling French Cajun glory, is expressing hope that it won’t just be a one-off.
“I sure hope so,” he told Variety at the premiere for Blink Twice. “From your mouth to God’s ears. Write it into existence, my friend. Please.” But far from the almighty, has he considered chatting with Marvel’s studio gods? “I’ve course I’ve said it. I’ve been saying I want it for the last 10 years,” Tatum admitted. “It’s in Bob Iger and Kevin Feige’s hands. I pray to God.” Maybe Marvel Jesus can work a miracle; all it takes is a little prayer.
