Summary
With the release ofDeadpool & Wolverine, there have been a huge number of new cameos and shock appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe recently. The history of cameos in these films dates back a long way, with fans memorably noting the appearance of Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury in the post-credit scene forIron Manas the real opening of the MCU.
The history ofcameos in Marvel moviesgoes back even further than that, with many great moments being produced in theX-MenandSpider-Manmovies of the 2000s, and beyond. Over the years, cameos and rumors about who will pop up in superhero movies have generated a great deal of hype for various Marvel projects, and this will likely continue to be a successful strategy for the MCU going forward, now that they have the full roster of Marvel Comics at their fingertips.
13Samuel L. Jackson As Nick Fury
The MCU began withIron Manwhen the huge origin movie was released in 2008. However, the scope of what was to come wasn’t truly unveiled until the stunning post-credits scene, which both started a trend for the MCU and superhero films in general. It introducedSamuel L. Jackson’s all-important Nick Fury, who asked Iron Man if he would like to join the Avengers.
This moment is a historical one in cinema, given how far and wide the MCU has gone since then, and how successful the bringing together of the Avengers has been. This cameo by Jackson turned into a character that he has played many times, often just in small roles like his original one inIron Man. Yet his importance to the larger MCU is massive and has helped make this cameo and scene one of the most memorable Marvel moments of all time.
12Henry Cavill As The “Cavillrine”
Saw A Major Jump From DC To Marvel
The major release ofDeadpool & Wolverine, the only MCU or Marvel film to be released in 2024, saw some of the most infamous cameo moments in movie history.Henry Cavill, Superman himself, making the leapbetween brands to cameo as an alternate reality version of Wolverine provided one of the best moments in the entire film.
Starring as a full mutton-chop version of Wolverine, complete with a cigar and Cavill’s now infamous arm pump, this Wolverine was a choice one for Deadpool to bring on his ride with him through the Multiverse. Unfortunately,the “Cavillrine"rejected the Merc’s proposal, and sent Deadpool flying back to where he came from. This was a huge highlight for the Wolverine search montage in the film, and also a significant leap for Cavill from DC to Marvel, allowing Deadpool to poke fun at the guys “across the street.”
11Kevin Bacon As Kevin Bacon
A Hilarious Running Joke Fulfilled
It was pretty amusing to find out in the firstGuardians of the Galaxyfilm that Peter Quill treatedKevin Baconas a true hero from Earth because of his starring roles in films likeFootloose. This hilarious jape materialized surprisingly into an actual appearance by Bacon, as himself, in theGuardians of the Galaxy Holiday Specialreleased on Disney Plus.
Seeing Mantis and Drax come to Earth, get drunk, and steal Kevin Bacon as a Christmas present for Quill was one of the better sequences the MCU has had in the past few years. It made for a truly hilarious showing, ending with a surprisingly heartfelt coming together for the team and their newfound friend, resulting in an excellent cameo that confirms at least some beloved celebrities exist as themselves in the MCU.
10Matt Damon As Fake Loki
One Of Marvel’s Biggest Surprises Yet
Of all the random times to turn up in a cameo role,Matt Damonthroughout his career has picked some of the best. TheJason Bournestar wouldn’t be a surprising choice to appear in a leading role in a Marvel film, but the role he did take on, and his only superhero role to date, was a fairly astounding one.
InThor: Ragnarök, Loki had taken over Asgard and was masquerading as his father. He set other Asgardians to tell the story of Loki from his perspective, and Matt Damon appeared hilariously as the actor playing Loki as he “tragically dies” in a recreation of his supposed death scene inThor: The Dark World. A completely random moment, this made for one of the most genuinely funny scenes in the MCU’s third phase.
9Anthony Mackie As Falcon
Helped Broaden The MCU’s Interconnectivity
Ant-Manwas not a particularly well-known character to general audiences when his first film was released in 2014. However, he didn’t waste time in getting himself to the Avengers Compound to make a name for himself; even if he was doing it by breaking into the compound illegally, shortly after Captain America and Black Widow had formed their new, short-lived Avengers team.
Falcon,before he became the new Captain America, was sent out to apprehend Ant-Man after he’d breached the perimeter in a surprise cameo moment for the new Avenger, who ended up in a classic Marvel hero-vs-hero situation in which Falcon didn’t manage to come out on top. Not only did this make for a great initial win for Scott Lang as Ant-Man, but it was also a hilarious addition to the film and helped jumpstart Anthony Mackie’s MCU role.
8Charlie Cox As Matt Murdock
Officially Brought The Netflix Division To The MCU
Although it isn’t the most recent occasion in whichCharlie Cox’s Matt Murdockhas made a surprising appearance in an MCU project, the previously Netflix-confined vigilante has since branched out both into film and Disney Plus appearances. With all the news leading up toNo Way Homebeing about the potential former Spider-Men heroes and villains appearing, Cox’s cameo as Matt Murdock slipped under the radar.
Although he (somewhat surprisingly) didn’t appear in costume asDaredevilon this occasion, Matt did provide legal advice to Peter Parker during a difficult time for the young hero. He also managed to showcase his special skills by stopping a brick thrown through Peter’s window, suggesting that Daredevil may have even faster reflexes than Spider-Man. Though thismight not result in him being an Avenger, Daredevil will return on the back of Cox’s cameos in other Marvel projects for a Disney Plus series,Daredevil: Born Again,in 2025.
7The X-Force
Created A Hilarious, Shocking Sequence
The team and many cameos inDeadpool & Wolverinearen’t the first time that Ryan Reynolds has compiled a list of celebrity cameos for one of his films. His second time around in the Deadpool suit (and third time playing the character), Reynolds was joined by the likes of Zazie Beetz as Domino and Josh Brolin as Cable, but he also attempted to form an entire team to take down Cable when the futuristic mercenary turned against him.
This led to the creation ofX-Forcein live-action for the first time. The team included Bedlam, Zeitgeist, Shatterstar, and Vanisher, as well as Deadpool’s future best friend, Peter. Featuring celebrities like Terry Crews and the astounding Brad Pitt as Vanisher, the team only lasted a matter of seconds before (almost) all dying off in a variety of brutal accidents, but their creation and death made for the most memorable part of the entire sequel.
6Seth Green As Howard the Duck
A Throwback To The First Marvel Movie
James Gunn has always been known for favoring characters that comic book history hasn’t always been kind towards. This includes his choices of teams to direct, likeGuardians of the GalaxyandThe Suicide Squad, as well as many of the characters he is set to highlight while in charge of the DCEU. However, while taking on the Guardians for the first time in 2014, he managed to have some fun additions, particularly a huge nod to Marvel’s first on-screen hero.
BeforeBlade,X-Menor Tobey Maguire’sSpider-Man, the first major motion picture made using a Marvel Comics character was actuallyHoward the Duck. Though he hasn’t become a major part of the MCU (yet), the character was reintroduced inGuardians of the Galaxy —played by the lovable Seth Green — as part of the Collector’s collection, making for a highly amusing Easter Egg.
5The Illuminati
Blew The Multiverse Wide Open
Deadpool & Wolverinearguably did it better, butDoctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madnesspulled off something quite amazing in bringing together the alternate universe version of the Avengers that fans know and love. The protectors of this alternate Earth where Stephen Strange and America Chavez find themselves squaring off against Wanda Maximoff include a variety of amazing and surprising cameos in one scene.
John Krasinski as Mr. Fantasticwas one of the biggest shocks, as well asPatrick Stewart returning as Charles XavierandAnson Mount returning to the role of Black BoltfromThe Inhumans. Additionally, alternate universe versions ofPeggy Carter and Monica Rambeau, where they becameCaptain America and Captain Marvelrespectively, were included, making for a fascinating and exciting team of heroes who were all unfortunately killed when Wanda invaded their world and challenged them.
4The Resistance Team
A Fitting End To The Marvel Fox Era
Although it is a recent addition to the list, theResistance Teamthat stood against Cassandra Nova in The Void has broken the internet and combined a number of familiar faces from previous (Non-MCU) Marvel films to create something wonderful.Wesley Snipes as Blade, Jennifer Garner as Elektra, Dafne Keen as X-23 and Channing Tatum in the Gambitrolehe never got to bring to the big screen all joined Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool to create a truly unique team.
Even more surprising than their cameos was the fact that this ragtag crew may have managed to survive the events in The Void, although their fates are left ambiguous in all but X-23’s case. This surprisingly nice ending for the heroes of different eras made for a wholesome wrapping up of the Fox stewardship of Marvel properties, and caused some massive gasps in the cinema.
