Did Deadpool & Wolverine Cut Another Original Avenger Variant?

A behind-the-scenes photograph from Deadpool & Wolverine has prompted fervent speculation that another MCU legend appeared in the movie but was cut from the theatrical edit. Deadpool & Wolverine featured thrilling cameos from Marvel’s cinematic history. However, by the end of Deadpool & Wolverine, several of these rumors had not come to fruition, rumors which social media have retrospectively fueled.

Custom image by Richard Craig

Deadpool & Wolverine depicted the eponymous heroes’ captivating debut in the MCU timeline. Characteristically meta humor, dynamic action, and many Marvel Easter eggs were numerous in Deadpool & Wolverine, a feature audiences have come to expect from the Deadpool franchise. One of the biggest talking points has been the sheer number of cameos, with so many reported appearances that they couldn’t all fit in the movies. Among these, speculation has grown around a behind-the-scenes image that some fans believe points to a cut cameo from an original Avenger variant.

Deadpool & Wolverine BTS Image Prompts Nick Fury Theories

A behind-the-scenes photo from Deadpool & Wolverine that was shared on Instagram by PowerOfX-Men has sparked a wave of speculation regarding a missing cameo. The image shows several actors standing together in costume, with the caption “The Henchmen of The Void! Phenomenal actors, and we hope to see them again in the future!” Among the figures is a character sporting an eyepatch and a leather jacket, which immediately led to speculation that this might be a version of Nick Fury.

Comments under the post were flooded with guesses, with many suggesting that the character might be a variant of the Nick Fury from the 1998 made-for-TV movie Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., in which David Hasselhoff portrayed the iconic Marvel spy. The idea of Hasselhoff’s Fury making a cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine seems plausible. Particularly given the movie's apparent focus on multiversal hijinks and the trend of bringing back older, often forgotten versions of Marvel characters for nostalgic appearances. However, the caption confirms his identity.

No, That's Not Nick Fury In Deadpool & Wolverine

Despite the whirlwind of fan theories, a variant of Nick Fury did not appear in Deadpool & Wolverine. The caption of the Instagram post clearly labels the character as "Erg," a name familiar to some comic book readers but not widely recognized by the general audience. Erg is a character from the X-Men comics, specifically associated with the Morlocks - a group of mutants who live in the tunnels beneath New York City, often depicted as outcasts shunned by society due to their appearance or powers.

The confusion likely arose from the character’s appearance. Erg, much like Nick Fury, is often depicted wearing an eyepatch, but the similarities end there. The presence of the eyepatch, combined with the leather jacket (a staple of Nick Fury’s wardrobe in many depictions), led many to jump to conclusions without fully considering the character’s actual identity. The fact that this Erg character was ultimately cut from Deadpool & Wolverine only added to the intrigue, as his distinctive powers were not seen, and thus could not reveal his identity.

Who Is Erg In Marvel Comics?

Erg is a relatively obscure character in Marvel Comics, but he holds a notable place within the X-Men lore. First appearing in The Uncanny X-Men #169 in 1983, Erg is a member of the Morlocks, a group of mutants who choose to live in isolation from mainstream society due to their grotesque or non-conforming appearances. Erg’s mutant ability allows him to absorb forms of energy, and release it as a powerful blast from his single, glowing eye. This ability is visually striking and has made Erg a distinctive, if not frequently seen, character in the X-Men comics.

In addition to his comic book appearances, Erg has been adapted into other forms of media, albeit sparingly. He made his live-action debut in the TV series The Gifted, where he was portrayed by actor Michael Luwoye. In The Gifted, Erg leads a group of Morlocks, emphasizing themes of mutant survival and resistance, consistent with his comic book roots. The character’s eyepatch and leadership role among the Morlocks contribute to his distinct visual identity, which has likely led to the mix-up with Nick Fury in the BTS image from Deadpool & Wolverine.

More memorably, Erg appeared in several episodes of highly influential X-Men: The Animated Series and its revival X-Men '97. Erg appeared in every episode that starred the Morlocks, sporting his famed eyepatch and lifting it to release his powers in battle. As viewers eagerly await the extended-release of Deadpool & Wolverine, the film’s continued potential for surprising cameos and deep-cut references remains a major point of excitement. However, for now, it seems that another Nick Fury variant was not among them.