X-Men Origins: Wolverineactor Liev Schreiber has explained whyDeadpool & Wolverinedid not feature the return of his Sabretooth in theMCU.Schreiber is the second actor to portray longstanding Wolverine rivalSabretooth in a live-action movie, after Tyler Mane. Despite boasting a lot more screen time inX-Men Origins: Wolverine, however, Schreiber was not counted amongthe manyDeadpool & Wolverinecameos.
When asked in an interview withColliderabout his absence, Schreiber stated that while he was touched by fans calling for his return,he was happy to pass on the role after seeing the physical demands met by his erstwhile co-star, Hugh Jackman. His full quote is as follows:
To be honest, it’s a lot of work getting your body up to that point. I know I watched Hugh [Jackman] get himself ready again, and I thought, ‘I’m okay to sit by the sidelines.’
Schrieber’s one-time appearance as Sabretooth established him as Wolverine’s half-brother,despite no such precedent in Marvel Comics. Combined with the general expectation for superhero movie characters to get in shape, Schreiber’s concerns were certainly well-founded and entirely justified.
Every Cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine Explained
Deadpool & Wolverine is packed to the brim with cameos from across the entire run of Marvel films, combining the numerous timelines together.
Why Liev Schreiber’s Reason For Sitting Out Deadpool & Wolverine Is Totally Valid
Hugh Jackman Is A Lot More Experienced In Bulking Up
Jackman, now 55, has become particularly well-known for the intense workout regime he carries out to prepare for each stint as Wolverine.This was no different forDeadpool & Wolverine, which made sure to highlight the results of his efforts in the final sequence in which just the upper half of his costume(except the iconic mask) was disintegrated by the time ripper. While there probably would have been no such requirement for Schreiber’s Sabretooth to follow suit, his close link to Wolverine would likely have necessitated at least a little physical preparation.
Even in the absence of the classic superhero movie “shirtless scene” - a shot typically reserved for movie protagonists - actors are often still required to train for action sequences. WhileTyler Mane’s involvement inDeadpool & Wolverineboiled down to a simple run-up at Wolverine before being beheaded, a seconds-long shot can still require several takes. Given Schreiber’s Sabretooth arguably has a closer relationship with Wolverine than Mane’s, he would likely have been required to be more involved.
Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool did not have a shirtless scene but would have had to train for the myriad action sequences.
WhileHugh Jackman is no stranger to bulking upfor X-Men movie roles, Schreiber’s recent filmography has been decidedly less action-packed. With that in mind,it would have been a tall order for Schreiber to train for what would likely have been a few short minutes of screen time. Still, now that Wolverine has survived the events ofDeadpool & Wolverineand remains part of the MCU, there is still time for Schreiber to change his mind and appear ina future MCU installmentlikeAvengers: Secret Wars.
Deadpool & Wolverine
Cast
A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
