The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always treating fans to new content, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. The latest movie release was Shawn Levy's Deadpool & Wolverine, which broke records upon hitting theaters. The Deadpool 3 cast list featured some surprising characters, including Channing Tatum's Gambit. The film's editor recently explained why Gambit’s true ending was cut from the Film, and it actually makes sense.
After Deadpool & Wolverine's release, moviegoers were treated to a new Gambit scene, released on social media by Ryan Reynolds himself. Fans freaked out, hoping this might indicate his return to the X-Men character. During a recent interview with ScreenRant, editor Shane Reid explained the thought process behind the choice to not include the bonus scene in the actual movie. In his words:
A rhythm to the end credit sequence that we had [was] the Legacy reel [which] was a really important part of the process. It was something that we built, actually, while we were on strike, and that was a sentiment to come off the film with, and then it was from there, we knew that we had this really wonderful mic-drop-coda with Johnny Storm that was going to close the film out. I think the Gambit Sparkle Circle feels like a traditional Marvel coda, and I think what these guys were always trying to do was sort of subvert the audience's expectations in that sense.
There you have it. Deadpool & Wolverine's credits weren't as expected for those who have been watching the Marvel movies in order, as it didn't tease future installments in the MCU or feature big cameos. Instead, it paid tribute to those who worked on 20th Century Fox's superhero projects including X-Men, Daredevil, Blade, and more. It was a touching sendoff for the studio, which was acquired by Disney years ago.
Per these comments, the tribute to Fox came about late into the process of Deadpool & Wolverine, and was seemingly created as a result of the WGA and SAG strikes, which paused production on the acclaimed blockbuster. Later in the same interview with SR, Reid went on to explain the way the plan for Gambit's coda changed. As he put it:
So we had this wonderful piece and it was in at times and out. This is the brilliance of Ryan and his understanding of marketing and social media and how to use it, so they had other plans for what you could do with that kind of material and how you could put it out there and get the audience's appetite warmed up for it, but also leave the audience with a Deadpool movie that, through and through, feels like a Deadpool movie and ending it the way it did, just always felt right.
Channing Tatum's Gambit went viral as soon as Deadpool & Wolverine hit theaters, given his long history with the character and wild accent. And some fans definitely have new interest in seeing him return as the iconic X-Man in an upcoming Marvel movie. But Kevin Feige's plans for mutants remain a mystery for the time being, and it's unclear if the Magic Mike actor will get another chance.
Deadpool & Wolverine is still in theaters now, and the MCU will return to the big screen with Captain America: Brave New World on February 14th. For now, check the 2025 movie release dates.
