Deadpool and Wolverine have brought back the old charm of Marvel, with audiences excited about Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman bonding on screen. Meanwhile, one of the most talked-about elements of the film has been the cameo appearances of veteran actors as they stepped into their iconic roles once again. The Marvel film also sees Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth return to the franchise.
Another Marvel hero who was supposed to appear in the film was Robert Downey Jr. Speaking to IndieWire, the film’s scriptwriters Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese revealed that they have already completed a draft of the film with Downey Jr.’s character in the lead. The writers also claimed that they have planned to bring the six main Avengers together on screen again.
However, the Oscar-winning actor declined his part in the film, as Marvel apparently had other plans to re-introduce the actor to the franchise. Rhett Reese shared with the outlet that the Deadpool actor wrote the scene while sitting in the same room with Downey Jr.
“Ryan Reynolds wrote the scene with the two of them so we could have Downey,” Reese confessed. He added, “But he wanted Favreau in as well, because they’re a great pair, and they were all in the scene together.”
Also read: Robert Downey Jr. to play Iron Man for new Disneyland attraction? D23 Stark Fight Lab update revealed
Wernick told the portal that the scene features Iron Man in the interview room with Happy (Jon Favreau), where Wade Wilson came forward to join the Avengers clan in the first part of Deadpool & Wolverine.
Reese claimed that when Downey Jr. declined to be a part of the film, “That was the only ‘no’ we got, I think, people just said, ‘Hey, I don’t want to do it.'”
The co-writer added, “But, at the same time, I think Marvel had an ace up their sleeve who was going to come back in this different character. So, making him Tony Stark? Knowing that Doctor Doom was going to come right after that? It didn’t make sense.”
The Marvel panel at San Diego Comic-Con announced the return of the Oppenheimer star to the MCU, but in the villainous role of Dr. Doom. In addition, Marvel Studios shared that the Russo Brothers will return to the director’s chair for the upcoming Avengers films, Doomsday and Secret Wars.
Deadpool and Wolverine are successfully running in theaters, and in the meantime, Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars will hit theaters in May 2026 and May 2027, respectively.
Also read: Are Deadpool and Wolverine extended drafts available with Robert Downey Jr. cameos? Co-writer revealed
