Deadpool and Wolverine hid its biggest cameos using Stranger Things code names in the script

Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman)

(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Marvel probably has a laundry list of tactics and tricks to keep its biggest spoilers under wraps, but using Stranger Things character names is a new one on us

Yet, that was the case with Deadpool and Wolverine. As flagged by Marvel Studios' subreddit, the script (available as part of Marvel's 'For Your Consideration' awards push for Deadpool and Wolverine) hid some of its biggest cameos using code names pulled from the Stranger Things universe.

marvelstudios from r/marvelstudios/comments/1h28dbr/the_deadpool_and_wolverine_writers_used_stranger

Of course, even a cursory glance at the script meant that the code names don't hide everything. After all, the group of Marvel characters that could burst into flames is very small – and not something Jonathan ever did on Stranger Things as far as we remember.

Deadpool and Wolverine director Shawn Levy, who has a rich history with Stranger Things as both director and executive producer, addressed the reveal on Twitter. He wrote, "True. For a brief while, my worlds collided."

Ryan Reynolds also revealed a far more straightforward method in avoiding leaks once Deadpool and Wolverine moved from script to the screen.

On the director's commentary, Reynolds revealed, "I was so fucking scared that people would see [Wesley Snipes, Channing Tatum, Jennifer Garner, and Dafne Keen]. Genuinely, it kept me up at night. We managed to lock the area off enough and we had a plan in place if anyone saw a drone – because oftentimes they got images via drone. If anyone saw a drone, we would yell it out and basically everyone runs for cover. We never had to actually deploy that little tactic, but I lived in fear of this coming out."

Dive into what's next in the MCU with our guides to Marvel Phase 5 and upcoming Marvel movies and shows. Then catch up on the story so far with the Marvel timeline and a look at how to watch the Marvel movies in order.

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.