Deadpool & Wolverine Almost Chose Mephisto as Their Major Villain

Marvel fans were quite close to witnessing Mephisto on the big screen in Deadpool & Wolverine. Many theories during WandaVision speculated that Mephisto was the hidden villain, but it turned out to be Agatha Harkness, who is now leading a spinoff show. For Deadpool & Wolverine, the creative team settled on Charles Xavier’s twin sister, Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin), as the villain against the revived duo of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as Wade Wilson and Logan. However, it was recently revealed that Mephisto was seriously considered for the role.

Collider spoke with Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy and stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. When asked which villain they would have liked to include in the movie, Levy asked, “What was the name of the villain we flirted with?” Ryan Reynolds replied, “Mephisto.”

Levy further elaborated, “That’s who it was. We almost chose several versions of the story before deciding. The call from Hugh was pivotal, followed by the idea of Cassandra Nova as a sibling to Charles, which created an interesting dynamic and a unique fascination in Cassandra about you [to Jackman].”

Speculation has been circulating that Sacha Baron Cohen will play Mephisto in the upcoming Ironheart series on Disney+, scheduled for release in 2025.

Even though it was reported that Deadpool & Wolverine wouldn’t feature a secret cameo by Taylor Swift, Ryan Reynolds felt compelled to settle the ongoing rumors. “I will say once and for all that the cameo thing with Taylor… because she’s our friend—that is not in this film,” Reynolds told E! News.

Nevertheless, Reynolds praised Swift, suggesting she deserves more than just a cameo in Deadpool 3: she deserves the entire franchise. “I always say that if anyone ever were to take over the role of Deadpool, actually Taylor would be very good,” Reynolds added. “She has this superpower that she doesn’t show everyone too often: She’s one of the funniest people I’ve ever met.”

In Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) will alter the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe alongside Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). The film also stars Matthew Macfadyen as Paradox and Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova. Returning Deadpool alumni include Morena Baccarin as Vanessa Carlysle, Leslie Uggams as Blind Al, Karan Soni as Dopinder, Stefan Kapicic as Piotr Rasputin/Colossus, Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Rob Delaney as Peter, and Lewis Tan as Shatterstar. Aaron Stanford is back as Pyro from the X-Men films, with Jennifer Garner rumored to reprise her role as Elektra Natchios.

Kevin Feige, Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy, and Lauren Shuler Donner produce the film with Louis D’Esposito, Wendy Jacobson, Mary McLaglen, Josh McLaglen, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, George Dewey, and Simon Kinberg serving as executive producers. Deadpool & Wolverine is written by Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Zeb Wells, and Shawn Levy. The film is set for exclusive release in theaters on July 26th.

Source: ComicBook.com, E! News, Collider