Deadpool and Wolverine originally had everyone's favorite WandaVision no-show as its villain

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Deadpool and Wolverine toyed with the idea of Mephisto as its main villain

Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in the TVA during Deadpool and Wolverine
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Cast your mind back to 2021 and the theory-filled days of WandaVision. For weeks, many had their assumptions on exactly who or what was plaguing Wanda in Westview. You may even remember that one of the prime suspects was Mephisto, essentially Marvel’s answer to the devil. Bizarrely, there was even some chatter that Al Pacino would be playing the part.

While it turned out to be Agatha all along, Ryan Reynolds has since revealed that Deadpool and Wolverine played around with the idea of introducing the hellish villain to the MCU.

"What was the name of the villain we flirted with?," director Shawn Levy asked Reynolds during an interview with Collider. The reply: Mephisto.

Levy explained, "That’s who it was. We went through a lot of ‘almost’ versions of this story before we landed."

But leave it to Hugh Jackman to get his claws into the solution. The Wolverine actor came up with the "infamous call" of Cassandra Nova – Charles Xavier’s sister, played in Deadpool and Wolverine by Emma Corrin. 

"Then it was this idea of Cassandra Nova as a sibling to Charles because Cassandra's link to Professor X creates an interesting dynamic and fascination in Cassandra about you [to Jackman]," Levy said.

Then, take a glimpse at what’s coming down the line in the MCU with our guide to upcoming Marvel movies. Planning a pre-Deadpool and Wolverine movie marathon? You’ll need our guide on how to watch the Marvel movies in order.

Bradley Russell
Bradley Russell

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.