Deadpool & Wolverine, the highest-grossing R-rated film with $1.3 billion in global box office earnings so far, features many surprising cameos, from Wesley Snipes’ Blade to Henry Cavill’s Cavilrine and more. However, despite the return of Tyler Mane as Sabretooth, many still hope to see Liev Schreiber reprise his role as Wolverine’s archnemesis in the threequel. While some are disappointed by his absence, The Perfect Couple star is fine with not making a cameo in the third Deadpool movie.
In an interview with Collider while promoting his new movie Across the River and Into the Trees, Schreiber addressed past rumors that he would return as Sabretooth in Deadpool & Wolverine. Many may now know that his highly anticipated comeback didn't happen. But after the fan campaigns and the requests for his return, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude and reaction to the unexpected appreciation for his character.
“It's amazing,” he said. “I can't begin to tell you what it feels like when people are thinking about something you did and are so appreciative of it that they want you to do it again.”
But compared to fans, who were saddened by his non-appearance, Schreiber admitted he was happy not to be part of Deadpool & Wolverine. Don’t get the actor wrong. As Sabretooth is known for his intense physicality and imposing presence, the 56-year-old star wants to pass on the physical demands of playing the role after seeing Hugh Jackman’s hard work to get back in shape.
“To be honest, it's a lot of work getting your body up to that point,” he continued. “I know I watched Hugh [Jackman] get himself ready again, and I thought, 'I'm okay to sit by the sidelines.'”
Liev Schreiber Surprised By Fans’ Support For His Potential Return In Deadpool & Wolverine
Though Mane originally played Sabretooth in Bryan Singer’s 2000 film X-Men, he was later recast as Schreiber in Gavin Hood’s 2009 X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Compared to Mane’s more violent take on the henchman, Schreiber played a less disheveled version of the villain. While it was the only X-Men movie in which Schreiber was seen as Sabretooth, the actor-director couldn’t help but be surprised by fans’ support for his potential return in Deadpool & Wolverine.
“I was so surprised that we had that many fans, and I was so surprised that people were campaigning for me to be in the new Deadpool movie,” he revealed.
The reaction even reminded him of the support he received after Showtime unexpectedly canceled his crime drama Ray Donovan after seven seasons in 2020. At the time, showrunner David Hollander already had plans for the supposed eighth and final season. Hence, without any advance warning, the cancellation took them by surprise.
“When we finished work on Ray Donovan — and it wasn't a question of us finishing work, Showtime pulled the plug on the series — I was just so overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from fans who watched,” Schreiber recalled.
Though fans still hope to see Schreiber as Sabretooth someday, especially with Marvel Studios now working on the X-Men reboot, it seems unlikely to happen. Given the physical demands of the role, he may leave it to other actors to portray the character.
