Now, even people who haven’t seen Deadpool vs. Wolverine know that the movie features a number of actors from 20th Century Fox’s Marvel movies reprising their roles. There are also a few cameos and callouts from other non-Fox Marvel movies, but not all of the original cast are returning. Former WWE star Kevin Nash recently commented on his successor in the new movie, and now his successor has responded.
WARNING: The following contains minor spoilers for Deadpool and Wolverine. If you haven’t seen this movie or don’t want to know what’s going on, stop reading now.
In 2004, Nash played a small but memorable role in “The Punisher,” playing an assassin named “The Russian.” Thomas Jane’s Punisher barely survives a battle against a seemingly indifferent enemy. Nash said on a recent podcast episode that the new Russian performer “looks nothing like the character I play. That doesn’t look Russian at all.” Nash continued: “It looks like they gave Do someone a favor.”
The actor was Billy Clements, who felt the need to respond to Nash’s comments on Instagram.
“I worked really hard to get this role,” Clements said. “Seven years of training, starting from the bottom as an extra. Doing the best I can, auditioning again and again, just giving my best. It’s an honor to finally get this role. You know, it means a lot to me. , I couldn’t believe I was a real Marvel character.
Clements noted that he gained 32 pounds of muscle and studied Russian for three months for the role. He also praised Nash’s take on the character, explaining his familiarity with the original character who appeared in the Punisher comics. The actor ended his speech by thanking Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Feige and director Sean Levy for allowing him to audition and giving him the chance to play the role.
“Deadpool and Wolverine” is now playing in theaters. But the Russians aren’t the only Marvel cameo in the film.