Deadpool & Wolverine Almost Featured This Iconic Marvel Villain

Prior to the decision to make Cassandra Nova the villain in Deadpool & Wolverine, the filmmakers considered other possibilities for the main baddie. In an interview with Collider, star Ryan Reynolds revealed that they toyed with the idea of having Mephisto AKA The Devil be the main villain.

Director Shawn Levy said the crew had a lot of “almost” versions of the story before the writers pinned down exactly what the narrative would be for Deadpool & Wolverine, and in one version, Mephisto was the bad guy. However, this didn’t go forward, but it’s not exactly clear why. Reynolds previously discussed the numerous different ideas he tinkered with before Hugh Jackman joined the project and the film became something of a team-up.

Levy said he was drawn to the idea of Cassandra being the villain in part because of how she connects with X-Men’s legacy. “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.

Reynolds added that “the imagery in the comics” of Cassandra was intriguing to him as well.

Emma Corrin plays Cassandra in Deadpool & Wolverine, and the actor said the character is inspired by Willy Wonka. Cassandra is the evil twin sister of Professor Charles Xavier who managed to enter the world despite not being born. She has all of his mental powers and none of his morals. According to Corrin, Cassandra may have a more charmingly sinister persona in the film than she did in the comics.

“Ryan [Reynolds] and Shawn [Levy] pitched this idea, which I was totally on board with,” added Corrin while speaking with EW. “‘We want this villain to not be a villain in the sense that you expect them to be. We want you to be so endeared by her, so charmed by her, and just when you think that maybe she’s totally seen into your soul and you are going to be best friends for life, you’re dead.'”

Deadpool & Wolverine releases in theaters on July 26, and it’s expected to put up big numbers at the box office. If there is to be another Deadpool movie