Now, this is one for the Marvel fans out there. Imagine this: Deadpool and Wolverine, two of the most beloved characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing the screen with none other than Ben Affleck’s Daredevil. It almost happened! According to a recent interview the film’s co-writers did with IndieWire, Affleck was on the list of potential cameos for the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine movie, but sadly, it wasn’t meant to be. I know, I’m just as heartbroken as you are.
So, why didn’t it happen? The details are intriguing, and they shed some light on the chaotic process of cameo planning in big-budget superhero films. According to the writers (Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick), Ben Affleck was definitely considered, but the idea never made it past the early stages of script development. The decision to drop the Daredevil cameo was made before Affleck was even approached, so he never got the chance to don the red suit again. It’s a real shame, as seeing Affleck’s Daredevil alongside Deadpool and Wolverine could have been a delightful nod to the early 2000s Marvel movies.
The Chaos of Cameo Planning
Credit: 20th Century Fox
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As a huge fan of both Daredevil and Deadpool, I can’t help but wonder what might have been. Ben Affleck’s Daredevil may not have been the most critically acclaimed superhero film, but it certainly has its fans. And let’s be honest, the idea of seeing Affleck’s brooding Daredevil clash with Ryan Reynolds’ wise-cracking Deadpool is just too good to pass up. Unfortunately, the writers behind Deadpool & Wolverine—Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick—revealed in an interview with IndieWire that while Affleck’s Daredevil was “on the list” of potential cameos, the idea was scrapped before it could gain any real traction.
Reese and Wernick noted that the process of securing cameos for Deadpool & Wolverine was a bit of a mad scramble, with a lot of names being thrown around. The success of the Deadpool franchise has made it easier to attract big names, and with Reynolds being a major draw, they had quite a few options to consider. But, as is often the case in Hollywood, not every idea makes it to the final cut.
What Could Have Been
Credit: 20th Century Fox
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Now, let’s talk about the real elephant in the room: would Affleck have even agreed to return as Daredevil? The writers themselves aren’t sure, as the conversation never got that far. But given Affleck’s recent willingness to revisit past roles—his return as Batman in The Flash comes to mind—it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility. Plus, with the current trend of multiverse crossovers, the idea of bringing back Affleck’s Daredevil could have been a fun way to tie together different eras of Marvel films.
However, not all actors were as enthusiastic as we might hope. For example, Robert Downey Jr. reportedly declined a potential cameo as Tony Stark in the film. And while that might have been disappointing for fans, it’s clear that Marvel Studios has bigger plans for Downey, particularly with his recent casting as Doctor Doom in the MCU. So, while we didn’t get Affleck’s Daredevil, it’s interesting to think about what other surprises might be in store.
Final Thoughts on Ben Affleck’s Daredevil
Credit: 20th Century Studios
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As someone who’s been following the MCU from the beginning, I have to say this missed opportunity stings a bit. Ben Affleck’s Daredevil has always been a bit of a guilty pleasure for me, and seeing him interact with Deadpool and Wolverine could have been one of those magical crossover moments that make superhero movies so much fun. But alas, it wasn’t meant to be.
That said, Deadpool & Wolverine is still shaping up to be one of the most exciting Marvel films on the horizon. With the return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and the potential for more surprise cameos, there’s still plenty to look forward to. Who knows? Maybe one day we’ll see Affleck’s Daredevil make a surprise appearance in the MCU after all. Until then, we’ll just have to keep dreaming.
