The 2016 Deadpool movie was a massive success, breaking numerous box-office records at the time. Ryan Reynolds reprised the titular role, after appearing in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009). While the movie explored the character’s arc differently, it teased the arrival of the popular character, Cable in the post-credit scene for the next installment.
As we all know, Josh Brolin ended up portraying the character in the 2018 movie. Long before his casting, the comic character creator, Rob Liefeld expressed his thoughts on wanting Russell Crowe to play the role.
Rob Liefeld Wanted Russell Crowe to Play Cable in Deadpool 2
Rob Liefeld, who is known for co-creating characters, Deadpool and Cable wanted the Marvel actor to play the latter’s role. After the first Deadpool movie gave a tease about Cable’s presence, many actors were tipped to play the character before it eventually went to Josh Brolin. Since the role required a big guy due to it being an action character, Liefeld had Crowe in mind.
For the unversed, the 59-year-old actor is quite a familiar face in the superhero genre, having played Jor-El in Man of Steel (2013) and Zeus in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022).
He took to Twitter (now X) to share his thoughts that the Noah actor should read for the role. In the response, Crowe pointed out Liefeld’s writing language which he seemed to have found offensive. Check the tweets below.
@russellcrowe you should read for #Cable in Deadpool and X-Force. Just sayin…
— robliefeld (@robertliefeld) February 24, 2017
I should read for it? https://t.co/kLONW0gBGI
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) February 24, 2017
The comic book creator eventually realized his mistake and apologized to the actor.
huge fan sir. Poorly worded. Apologies.
— robliefeld (@robertliefeld) February 24, 2017
I'm sure if @VancityReynolds has any interest in that idea he'll find a way https://t.co/KFUC6fIxjS
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) February 24, 2017
forgive me sir. It's an absolutely irresistible notion. pic.twitter.com/Cw3Yq2grjX
— robliefeld (@robertliefeld) February 24, 2017
Since Crowe is a well-established name in Hollywood, actors of his status rarely have to read for roles. After Liefeld apologized for his poor choice of words, the Gladiator actor seemed to sound like he would consider the part if he ever received an offer. While the creator had noble intentions, his choice of words ended up putting him in trouble.
Rob Liefeld’s Tweets Regarding Russell Crowe Landed Him in a Lil’ Trouble
In a 2018 interview with Collider Extras, the comic artist talked about how he stirred trouble for himself after those tweets. Not just with the Oscar-winning actor, his tweets ended up involving some “Fox people,” who seemingly yelled at him.
He shared,
“I didn’t know Russell Crowe was on Twitter, and I stupidly tweeted to Russell Crowe – not ever thinking he’d answer me – and I go ‘Hey Russell, you should read for Cable!’ That didn’t turn out very well, I got yelled at a lot, because I woke up – because he’s in Australia – to Russell Crowe saying ‘Read for it?!’”
He continued,
“And my manager said ‘Yeah, Russell Crowe doesn’t read for parts Rob, you kind of insulted him. I’m like ‘I’m sorry! They just haven’t picked Cable yet so I’m just putting it out there.’ And then my phone rings, so some Fox people may or may not have yelled at me for an hour.”
Eventually, Josh Brolin, who played Thanos in MCU nabbed the role opposite Ryan Reynolds in 2018’s Deadpool 2. As per The Hollywood Reporter, he signed a four-movie deal with the studio.
While there are no updates about his next appearance, the Merc with the Mouth actor is set to reprise his role in the third installment, Deadpool & Wolverine alongside Hugh Jackman. It is slated for July 26, 2024 release in the United States.
