After a long wait of 250 days, the latest Marvel movie, Deadpool & Wolverine, has finally arrived.
Was the wait worth it? The answer varies depending on who you ask. Our resident ‘Pundit with a Pun,’ Cameron Frew, thoroughly enjoyed the film (check out his Deadpool & Wolverine review here), although he did have some concerns about where it fits into the Marvel timeline.
Despite this, Mr. Frew made it abundantly clear that this superhero movie was specifically tailored for hardcore Marvel fans, and it is overflowing with Easter eggs, cameos, and references.
As a devoted student of all things MCU, I have thoroughly analyzed the latest MCU film to compile a comprehensive list of easter eggs in Deadpool & Wolverine. This will allow you to amaze your friends with your exceptional attention to detail and extensive understanding of pop culture. (Disclaimer: Your friends may not be impressed, discussing Deadpool with your parents could lead to disappointment, always read the warning label, consult a doctor if you have chest pains). And of course, spoilers ahead!
Cable’s Time Machine
If you were paying close attention, you may have observed that at the beginning of Deadpool & Wolverine, during his try-out for the Avengers, Wade Wilson was wearing a stylish watch. However, it was not a regular watch, but rather Cable’s time machine, which is likely how Deadpool managed to reach the Sacred Timeline.
March 18, 2018
On March 18, 2018, Deadpool paid a visit to Happy’s office. Although there appears to be no significance to this date (aside from the fact that the Deadpool vs Funko! Pop set is #318, which could just be a coincidence rather than a deliberate joke), it does indicate that the film takes place before Infinity War. This is important because Thanos had only just begun his quest on May 23, which means the MCU was only two months away from impending disaster. This also explains why Deadpool was trying out for the Avengers – with Captain America and Iron Man still not on speaking terms and the team in disarray, it’s no surprise that Tony was open to considering Deadpool, even after he had masturbated in
Happy’s office
There was a multitude of Easter eggs hidden in plain sight within Happy Hogan’s office, making it a true treasure trove. Below are the smaller ones we were able to spot.
- The MK 2 Iron Man helmet could be seen on the table behind Happy’s chair, gleaming in silver.
- The prototype shield belonging to Cap, which was previously kept in Tony’s garage, has also been relocated to Happy’s office.
- Displayed on Happy’s shelves was the Mark V Iron Man suit, also known as the Silver Centurion briefcase armor, which Tony utilized in his battle against Whiplash.
- Tony’s first arc reactor: Happy’s got what appears to be the arc reactor Pippa gave to Tony.
- A kid’s Iron Man helmet: Behind Deadpool, you can see a child’s homemade Iron Man mask. Those who know their MCU will know, though, that helmet belonged to the kid who confronted Justin Hammer’s Iron Drones during the Stark Expo in Iron Man 2.
Cap cards
Happy’s office is not simply cluttered with abandoned Iron Man suits and technology. If you were to observe closely, you would notice a display of Captain America cards behind his chair. These are the very same cards that Phil Coulson collected and had signed by Steve Rogers before his unfortunate passing in the initial Avengers film.
I want pictures! Pictures of Spider-Man!
It was highly speculated that Spider-Man would make a cameo appearance, but he ultimately did not. However, there was a close call as during Deadpool’s visit to Avengers Tower, a photo of Tony Stark and Peter Parker was briefly seen, hidden behind a hand-made Iron Man helmet. This same photo was the inspiration for Tony to create time travel in Endgame. It is likely that Sony rejected Disney’s request for a cameo.
TVA and Mr Paradox
The TVA is not simply an Easter egg, but rather a crucial element of the plot. Despite this, Mr Paradox’s frustrated outbursts regarding the recent changes in management and the chaotic state of the multiverse can be seen as a nod to the events of Loki Season 2. This season concluded with the TVA undergoing a reformation, no longer eradicating variant timelines and instead allowing them to flourish and diverge naturally. This change clearly bothers the new antagonist in Deadpool.
Thor and Cap!
If you paid close attention when Deadpool arrives at the TVA, you would have noticed brief appearances of Captain America and Thor on the viewscreen. While the Thor reference may not be considered an Easter egg since Deadpool mentions it directly, it is interesting to note that it is actually edited footage of Loki’s supposed ‘death’ in Thor: The Dark World.
Patch
In case you were curious about the identity of the Wolverine donning the stylish white tuxedo, that was Patch. This was the pseudonym adopted by Wolverine during his covert operation on Madripoor, earning his moniker from his distinctive eye patch… quite clever, wouldn’t you say?
It’s unclear why Logan believed that wearing an eye patch would make him unrecognizable, especially with that haircut. However, in the world of comics, reality often takes a backseat. After all, if Superman can fool the world’s top journalists by simply donning a cheap pair of glasses, then surely an eye patch should be more than enough to conceal one’s identity.
Age of Apocalypse
During his leap between dimensions, Deadpool was unexpectedly ambushed by a version of Wolverine with only one hand, who was dressed in a red and black costume. Although it was a short journey, he had actually landed in Earth-295, which is more commonly referred to as the Age of Apocalypse.
In this particular timeline, as the name implies, the mutant tyrant Apocalypse took over the world following the passing of Charles Xavier. It was undoubtedly a bleak and grim reality, especially considering the numerous dreadful futures that the X-Men have encountered or prevented. Fortunately, Deadpool wasted no time in making his next temporal leap.
Real Old Man Logan
It is a well-known fact that Logan’s portrayal drew inspiration from the notorious Old Man Logan. However, in all honesty, Logan’s Wolverine was not as aged as the character in the comic. Therefore, it was refreshing to witness the Deadpool team’s interpretation of Old Man Logan, straight from the pages of the comic book.
Tiny Wolverine
There has been much discussion about Wolverine finally donning his iconic yellow spandex suit. However, in Deadpool & Wolverine, we are introduced to a version of Logan that is much closer to the character in the comics – a short and fierce wolverine. When imagining Wolverine, moviegoers may immediately envision the handsome Hugh Jackman, a man so attractive that Ryan Reynolds has openly expressed his admiration for him for the past ten years.
Despite not being the typical supermodel type and being significantly shorter than the actor who played him, Wolverine in the comics was actually quite short. Standing at just 5’3″, he was a whole 11 inches shorter than Hugh Jackman, who stood at an impressive 6’2″. This caused some concern among fans of the original comics when Jackman was cast as Wolverine in the early 2000s. However, it was refreshing to see Wolverine embrace his height and be portrayed as a “short king”for a change.
Brown Suit Wolverine vs Hulk
Ever since superhero movies have been popular, fans have yearned for a showdown between Wolverine and the Incredible Hulk. This desire is understandable, given that Logan was first introduced in Bruce Banner’s standalone series. However, the opportunity for this epic clash has been hindered by studio licensing agreements that have prevented Marvel’s fiercest heroes from crossing paths.
However, things are about to change. Even though we do not witness the actual fight, we are given a brief look at Wolverine wearing the iconic brown suit designed by John Byrne. Additionally, we catch a glimpse of the Hulk’s head from behind. It may not be much, but it’s certainly a delightful nod to the famous cover art of Incredible Hulk #340.
Crucified Wolverine
During Deadpool’s visit to a particularly intense Earth, we are introduced to a version of Logan who has been crucified on an enormous X. This was not meant as a joke about Wolverine being the embodiment of Marvel’s Jesus (although he certainly could be), but rather a tribute to Marc Silvestri’s legendary cover for Uncanny X-Men #251.
Who is the Man of Adamantium?
Despite Ryan Reynolds previously claiming that only Hugh Jackman could play Wolverine, it seems that statement was false. In a surprise move, Henry Cavill makes a brief appearance as Logan, adding fuel to the ongoing speculation that he could potentially take over the iconic role. This reference by the Deadpool team is likely just a playful nod to fan-casting, similar to John Krasinski’s appearance as Mister Fantastic, and it is unlikely that Cavill will make another appearance in the role.
My Favorite Show
Low point
One of the most hilarious moments in the entire movie occurs when Deadpool reunites with Wolverine and greets him into the MCU. As expected from Deadpool, he cannot resist taking a jab at his new business mentor, as Wade remarks that Logan is joining during a less successful period. This cleverly alludes to the recent downward trend in critical reception and box office performance of Marvel. Was this joke a bit harsh? Yes, but undeniably amusing.
20th Century who?
Upon being transported to the Void, Deadpool and Wolverine found themselves surrounded by a plethora of discarded items from different timelines in the Marvel universe. However, it was the partially buried 20th Century Fox logo that truly captured their attention, visible in the background behind Deadpool.
Until March 2019, Fox utilized their now-defunct logo until their acquisition by Disney. This significant deal also paved the way for Deadpool and the X-Men to join the MCU. However, it has since been replaced by the 20th Century Studios’ logo, which, in my opinion, is not as good. I cannot pinpoint exactly why I feel this way, but I suppose I am just resistant to change.
Evil Cap Shield
While it may be a lesser-known reference, in the scene where Deadpool and Wolverine arrive in the Void, there is a brief glimpse of an arrow-shaped version of Captain America’s shield buried in the sand.
What makes this design unique is that it isn’t the one used by the heroic Star-Spangled Man with a Plan. Instead, it belongs to an alternate version of Steve Rogers known as Hyrda Cap, Stevil, Bizarro Steve Rogers, or Captain Octopushead in the comics. I was so surprised by this reference that I reached out to Shawn Levy to confirm it was real. Stay tuned for more information on that.
Chris Evans as Human Torch
Despite stating that he was finished with his role as Captain America after exiting the MCU in Avengers: Endgame, Chris Evans has found himself returning to the Marvel universe for a new Deadpool film. Fortunately for him, he was able to reprise his role as Johnny Storm from the 2005 Fantastic Four movie. While I am happy to see him back, I can’t help but feel a bit let down that Michael Chiklis was not also brought back as The Thing.
FantastiCar
Were you a fan of Pyro’s roadster inspired by Mad Max? I know it may have resembled a bathtub on wheels, but I personally found it to be amazing. The reason being, it was the first time we had seen a live-action, faithful representation of the MK1 Fantasi-Car from Fantastic Four #3. Let’s hope that when Pedro and the Marvel’s first family enter the MCU, they will also have a similar mode of transportation.
Ant-Manor
Ever since the revelation, it has been common knowledge that Cassandra Nova has been utilizing a colossal Ant-Man skeleton as her headquarters. However, what some may not realize is that this is a clear nod to Old Man Logan. In the graphic novel, Giant-Man meets his demise while in an enlarged state, and his skeletal remains are later memorialized as Pym Falls.
Cameos galore!
Cassandra Nova’s collective of mutants features a variety of cameos from past X-Men films. Instead of addressing each one separately, we will simply provide a list. Some may view this as lazy, but I prefer to see it as efficient.
- Pyro: Cassandra Nova’s second in command and a TVA spy; we first met Pyro in X2, where he had a rivalry with Iceman.
- Azrael was a demonic mutant who possessed the ability to teleport and caused trouble for Charles Xavier during the events of X-Men: First Class.
- Juggernaut: He is a familiar and beloved character, known as the Juggernaut b*tch (although he was not portrayed by Vinnie Jones) whom we last saw in X-Men: The Last Stand.
- Sabertooth: The original Sabertooth in X-Men (2000) engages in a brief fight before ultimately meeting his demise at the hands of Wolverine’s claws.
- Lady Deathstrike: Remember her from X2? She’s the woman with the killer fingernails.
- Toad has clearly recovered from being struck by lightning and has made his first appearance since the original X-Men movie.
- Callisto: Despite having forgotten about her, Callisto makes a surprise cameo in Another Last Stand.
- The Punisher (2004) featured a little-known cameo from The Russian, who played the role of a villain.
Additionally, brief mentions are made of Daredevil, Quicksilver, Magneto, and Punisher, but they do not have full-fledged appearances.
Cassandra Nova’s Astonishing Attacks
Despite being the twin sister of Charles Xavier (sort of), Cassandra Nova is an incredibly powerful mutant. In both Deadpool and Wolverine, she often displays her dangerous ability to impale her enemies with her hand. This is not just a nod to the film Society, but also a nod to her debut in the Astonishing X-Men comics. In these comics, she merged with a member of the Trask family and took control of their Sentinels using a similar power.
Alioth
To rephrase Deadpool’s words, “Wow, it’s Alioth from the fifth episode of Loki Season 1.”Alioth is known as the monstrous cloud entity that devours all matter in the Void, leaving it devoid of any life.
A superhero’s best friend
Despite the Dogpool in Deadpool & Wolverine being less visually appealing compared to the version in the comic books, we are still enamored by this lovable furry companion. In the original comics, Dogpool hailed from Earth-103173 and was a valued member of the Deadpool Corp. However, unlike his on-screen portrayal, Dogpool did not make it out alive during his journey through the multiverse. He was sent to the afterlife by an evil version of Deadpool, and his death still weighs heavily on our hearts.
Nice Pool
Goodpool is a bizarre variation of Deadpool, portrayed as a gentler and unharmed version of Wade. He dons a more sophisticated suit and presents himself as a genuinely good person. However, he goes against everything that makes Deadpool unique and is clearly a nod to the meddling of studios, who tend to water down characters and diminish their appeal. It turns out, Goodpool lacks Deadpool’s signature healing ability and has weak bones, rendering him unable to engage in combat. Essentially, he is merely a superficial imitation of Deadpool.
That
The film Deadpool & Wolverine delves into the Multiverse, but it is not the first to do so. Multiverse of Madness paved the way for this film. Therefore, it is fitting for Deadpool & Wolverine to acknowledge and honor its predecessor.
If you were observant during the scene where Blade, Elektra, Gambit, and X-23 were introduced, you may have noticed a sculpture of the Scarlet Witch, also known as Wanda Maimoff, on the wall. It seemed to be the identical statue from Mount Wundagore; could it have been the one we saw in Multiverse of Madness, somehow brought to the Void? Does this suggest that Wanda is still alive? Only time will tell.
Elektra
If someone had told me in 2005 that I would one day be looking forward to seeing Jennifer Garner reprise her role as Elektra, I would have reacted violently. However, if I had acted on that impulse, I would have owed that person an apology. The unexpected return of Garner and other characters from the Fox-verse in a rather superficial movie turned out to be a touching and memorable highlight.
Blade makes his MCU debut
Despite multiple unsuccessful efforts to launch a new standalone film, Blade finally joins the MCU in Deadpool & Wolverine… but not in the anticipated way. Wesley Snipes returns to his iconic role, which many credit with sparking the popularity of superhero movies, and even makes a sly remark about there being only “one Blade”. Unfortunately, given the struggles facing Mahershala Ali’s portrayal, Snipes may have a point.
Remember it.
If you remember back to 2016, Fox had announced a movie featuring Channing Tatum as Remy LeBeau, also known as the fiery Gambit. Unfortunately, with the Disney-Fox merger, the project was cancelled before Tatum could even wear the character’s famous coat. However, thanks to the efforts of the Deadpool team, Tatum has been given the opportunity to portray the first ever live-action Gambit, and he has proven to be a fantastic choice (Great joke).
Dafne Keen
Despite Dafne Keen’s return being unexpectedly revealed a few days before the film’s release, it is still exciting to see her reprise her role as X-23. She delivers a great performance, but let’s move on to the next topic.
Super-powered Sling Ring
Are those infinity stones on Cassandra Nova’s sling ring from #DeadpoolAndWolverine? https://t.co/KNw5GjNRqP pic.twitter.com/tRJq7QOowj
— Nerdist (@nerdist) July 19, 2024
In addition to her mutant abilities, Cassandra Nova possesses a sling ring powered by an Infinity Stone. This enhanced version of Doctor Strange’s ring utilizes the Time Stone and the Reality Stone to create portals that span the multiverse.
That’s a Strange blanket
It is common knowledge that Cassandra Nova took a sling ring from a Doctor Strange variant who was traveling through the Void. However, it may have gone unnoticed that she also took his cape and was using it as a makeshift blanket on her throne.
Deadpool Corps
In addition to Wolverine variants, the film also introduces an entire army of Deadpools led by Lady Deadpool. This group, known as the Deadpool Corps, was first introduced in the comics in 2010 and consists of multiple versions of Deadpool from different dimensions. While the comics feature only Deadpool, Lady Deadpool, Headpool, Kidpool, and Dogpool, the movie version has a much larger roster including:
- Lady Deadpool: (more below)
- Kidpool is a younger and impolite variation of Deadpool who was initially featured in the stop-motion show Marvel Super Heroes: What The–?!.
- Headpool: A rotten zombie version of Deadpool played by Nathan Fillion, no less
- Dogpool: (more above)
- Deadpool 2099: A futuristic robot-like Deadpool
- Cowboy Deadpool can be described as the combination of Deadpool visiting Yellowstone Ranch and being voiced by Matthew McConaughey.
- Welsh Deadpool: (More below)
- Gas-Mask Deadpool: This version of Deadpool wears a gas mask and is said to come from the Golden Age of comics. The character made their debut in Deadpool Kills Deadpool #1.
- Samurai Deadpool: A unique iteration of Deadpool specifically designed for the movie, known for his signature Kasa headgear.
- Zenpool: A version of Deadpool created during the AXIS event that inverted characters’ morality. As a result, Deadpool was turned into a calm pacifist. Don’t worry; the movie version isn’t afraid to get violent.
There are many other members on the team, but we rarely see much from any of them.
Lady Deadpool
One of the most pressing inquiries regarding Deadpool has centered on Lady Deadpool and the question of who will portray her. It has been revealed that Blake Lively will provide the voice for the character. Lady Deadpool was a member of the Deadpool Corps and assumed leadership after Earth-616’s Deadpool left the team. Tragically, she met her demise during the Deadpool kills Deadpool crossover event while facing off against Galactipool. Despite her absence, it is likely that Marvel Comics has plans for her due to her increasing popularity.
Babypool and Kidpool
The intriguing aspect of this character, a miniature version of Deadpool, lies in the identity of the person behind the mask. It turns out to be Olin Reynolds, the newest addition to the family of Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively. Their daughter, Inez Reynolds, also joins the family business by portraying Kidpool. It is heartwarming to witness the family’s involvement in the same profession.
Welsh Deadpool
Despite seeming random to those who haven’t been watching Welcome to Wrexham, the inclusion of Welsh Deadpool actually has a significant meaning. Actor Ryan Reynolds has developed a strong fondness for the country and its people, making the appearance of Welsh Deadpool a clever nod to the fans of the Racecourse. The identity of the person under the mask remains a mystery, as Welsh Deadpool does not have any lines of dialogue, but it is speculated to be Rob McElhenney, the co-owner of Wrexham who was previously rumored to have a cameo in the film.
The Deliciousness of Schwarma
The final scene of Deadpool and Wolverine shows the two heroes enjoying a schwarma together after their intense battle. As a nod to the original Avengers movie, where the team famously gathered for schwarma after defeating Loki, Deadpool humorously credits the Avengers with inventing the dish. However, it’s clear that this is just a playful reference, as anyone familiar with superhero movies would know.
Secret Wars
Although it has not been officially confirmed, the possibility of Deadpool and Wolverine teaming up again in the future is hinted at in Wade’s final question about “doing this again.”This could potentially be for a reunion during a secret war or even multiple secret wars across different dimensions in the multiverse.
Is that all we noticed? Did you happen to catch any that we overlooked? Most likely, the film is filled with Easter eggs and appearances! You could begin by reading our explanation of the Deadpool and Wolverine post-credits scene before delving into our guide on the Deadpool 3 cameos. Additionally, we have compiled a list of all the Marvel movies that will be released in Phase 5 and Phase 6.
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