‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ deleted scene hints at the potential return of a standout character
Channing Tatum is still looking to make his mark.
On Tuesday, Ryan Reynolds posted on Instagram a deleted scene from Marvel’s “Deadpool & Wolverine” that showcases more of Tatum’s memorable performance as Gambit. This scene also indicates that Tatum’s character has survived the film’s events, hinting at his possible return in a future installment.
The scene unfolds after the battle where Deadpool, Wolverine, Gambit, and other heroes confront the forces of Cassandra Nova (played by Emma Corrin). In the newly released clip, Gambit emerges from the chaos of the fight. When he turns, an orange glow on his face suggests a portal has opened, hinting that he might escape from the Void.
“*whispers* Marvel Sparkle Circle,” Reynolds commented on the video, playfully referencing the name for Doctor Strange’s portals as depicted in the film. He also shared that a different version of this scene can already be seen in the film, visible in the “background” on one of the monitors at the Time Variance Authority headquarters.
In “Deadpool & Wolverine,” the main heroes find themselves in a “void” at the end of time, populated by various Marvel characters from different universes. Among them is Gambit, portrayed by Tatum in an unexpected cameo.
For years, Tatum, known for his role in “Magic Mike,” was anticipated to lead a Gambit movie that never materialized. Thus, “Deadpool & Wolverine” finally provided him the opportunity to don the Gambit costume after that project fizzled out.
Following the successful premiere of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” Tatum expressed his desire for this not to be a one-time role. On “The Tonight Show,” he joked about willing to do “awful things” to star in a standalone Gambit film.
“I would go to great lengths to make it happen,” he joked.
Tatum previously mentioned on X that he believed he had lost the opportunity to portray Gambit forever after his solo film was scrapped, until Reynolds invited him back for “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
“(Reynolds) advocated for me and Gambit,” Tatum shared. “I’ll probably owe him forever. I don’t know how I can ever repay him for this opportunity. Love you, buddy.”
On Friday, Reynolds revealed another deleted scene from the film featuring a cameo by Rob McElhenney from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” as a TVA soldier.
“During the editing process, they say you sometimes have to ‘kill your darlings,'” Reynolds noted on Instagram. “With a heavy heart, I had to cut this one…”
He added, “The scene just wasn’t fitting into the overall structure we imagined. Rob’s charm and talent were the only reasons it remained in the cut for as long as it did, even hidden behind a TVA mask and helmet.”
McElhenney had jokingly remarked after the film’s release, “I traveled 6 thousand miles for my cameo. I hope you enjoyed it, because the theater I was in had accidentally cut it out. I look forward to seeing the film and my cameo again today.”