Deadpool & Wolverine features Henry Cavill’s Marvel Cinematic Universe debut following his departure from the role of Superman in the DC Extended Universe in 2022. As claimed, he plays a Wolverine variant whom Deadpool later names “The Cavillrine.” After Man of Steel director Zack Snyder broke his silence about Cavill’s cameo, the actor finally addresses his appearance by taking a subtle jab at DC.
Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) found The Cavillrine (Cavill) while looking for a Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) variant that could help him save his world and take back to the Time Variance Authority (TVA) in Deadpool & Wolverine. The Merc with a Mouth quickly acknowledged Cavill, remembering him for his iconic role as Superman in DCEU. After he gave him a name, he promised he would treat him “so much better than those s--t f--ks down the street,” referring to Cavill’s time with Warner Bros. Discovery, which produced Man of Steel. However, aside from Deadpool, Cavill also shaded DC while finally talking about his cameo in a post on Instagram.
“To be safe, I shaved the moustache off for this one. Just the moustache,” he captioned his post with his photo as The Cavillrine.
For context, aside from his cameo in the post-credits scene of Jaume Collet-Serra’s 2022 Black Adam, Cavill made his final appearance in the DCEU in Snyder’s Justice League. The 2017 film underwent several reshoots while he was filming Christopher McQuarrie’s 2018 Mission: Impossible – Fallout.
Playing the role of the high-ranking operative August Walker, Cavill had to have a mustache that he couldn’t shave while doing the reshoots for Justice League. Hence, Warner Bros. had to digitally remove his facial hair during the superhero movie’s post-production.
Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds Talk About Henry Cavill’s Cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine
In an interview with Variety, director Shawn Levy revealed that the number of cameos in Deadpool & Wolverine started with several texts. In fact, Cavill himself quickly said “yes” to appearing as a Wolverine variant, knowing it would be “subversive and playful.” The filmmaker also explained that he should be called by the name Reynolds coined.
“If we’re going to talk about him, we must call him by his actual credited name, the Cavillerine, which Ryan coined,” Levy explained. “I knew it was undeniable as soon as Ryan came up with that term.”
Levy added that they did Cavill’s cameo with much affection for the actor and his work. But in addition to that, they also honored his legacy as a DC hero now that he debuted as a Marvel character.
Meanwhile, in a different interview with Collider, Reynolds admitted the hardships of envisioning anyone taking on the role of Wolverine, knowing the character had become synonymous with Jackman. So, as they chose Cavill, they knew it wouldn’t only come as a creative challenge but also a playful nod to his time with the DCEU as Superman.
It was the first day of shooting and it was born of the reality which is who on earth do you cast? I can't think of a more impossible and frustrating role to recast than Wolverine. I don't know. As an actor, it would be awful and intimidating, and you'd need to take it in a different way. But if you had to do it, and replace the guy who's made it canon in every way, shape, and form on-screen and off wasn't available, Henry Cavill would be pretty good!
Despite the comical stint that came with Cavill’s cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine, it also honored his role as a superhero icon. Who knows, this may only be the start of Cavill’s appearance in the MCU, and he may be involved in future projects.
