Ever since the fourth wall breaking post-credits scene of Deadpool, the Internet has been exploding with choices of who should play Cable. While Keira Knightley is a ranged actress, I wanted to throw my hat in the ring with ten actors who I think could play the character in Deadpool 2. While there are plenty of talented actors who could take on the role, I feel like there are a few who could absolutely nail it, and I hope you think the same.
1. Sean Bean
As far as gruff guys with guns goes, Sean Bean is basically the authority on this type of character. Not only does Bean have the look, he has so much experience playing characters like this, most recently in his TNT series Legends. Besides Bean’s talent and looks, imagine how many jokes could be played off of this casting! This is Deadpool we’re talking about after all. Everything from him dying in all of his movies to playing the likes of Boromir in Lord of the Rings and Eddard Stark in Game of Thrones would be in play. Sean Bean is the full package for playing Cable, and I would love to see it happen.
2. Gerard Butler
What can I say about Gerard Butler besides this: He’s a total badass! He plays soldiers, spies, special agents and gruff badasses alike effortlessly, and could totally nail the role of Cable. Besides his perfect skill set for this character, comedic value is a must. Imagine Deadpool parodying 300 quotes and making fun of some of Butler’s poor movie decisions. He’s the perfect straight man for a movie like this, and has plenty of gruffness, skill and possible comedic value to bring to this role.
3. Brad Pitt
While some still think of Brad Pitt as a suave pretty boy, the fact is that in his older age he excels at being a gruff action star. Look at his roles in movies like Inglorious Basterds and Fury. Despite having been such a heartthrob for so long, Pitt would have no problem pulling off the kind of gruff soldier Cable is. Not to mention the endless array of jokes Deadpool could make about this guy! Everything from them being the same person the whole movie, to Benjamin Button looking a little rough these days, Wade could fire joke after joke at this casting choice.
4. Jeffrey Dean Morgan
While this is one busy man, if Morgan were able to fit Deadpool 2 onto his plate, he would be perfect as the gruff badass Cable. Look at him in roles like John Winchester in Supernatural and The Comedian in Watchmen. Not only can he nail the hardened veteran style character, but JDM also has quite a sense of humor (a dark one at that). I feel like if he were cast in this movie, that he would joke along with Wade in a sorts. Of course he more than likely couldn’t acknowledge the jokes that break the fourth wall, like Deadpool asking how his girl Julianna Margulies is doing (of course Deadpool is a fan of The Good Wife, why wouldn’t he be?), or asking if JDM is his father too in hopes that he’s Batman’s long lost brother, but the point is he could play along with the jokes while being a badass at the same time.
5. Michael Cudlitz
Cudlitz is ripped, over fifty, plays soldier types well and was hilarious on The Walking Dead. If given this role, despite his lack of fame, I would imagine that his chemistry with Ryan Reynolds and likeness to the character both physically and mentally would make the entire movie. Just like JDM, Cudlitz has a terrific sense of humor, and would be able to match Deadpool joke for joke, as well as shrug him off like Cable always tries to do. Imagining Deadpool doing a Rick Grimes impression and wearing his iconic sheriff’s hat to mock the character gives me goosebumps, and I know I would love to see that on screen.
6. Adam Baldwin
You probably know Adam Baldwin (no relation) best from the canceled cult TV show Firefly, where he played the troublemaking badass Jayne, who always has a double cross up his sleeve and a knife in his boot. He plays the clean-cut soldier type well too, doing shows like Chuck, and I feel like a mixture of his characters from each series mentioned would make for the perfect Cable. Of course, like all of my other choices, we have to take into consideration how Deadpool is going to make fun of the actor playing Cable. When he first sees Cable, I could imagine him saying something like, “Oooh, I haven’t seen you since Firefly,” or, “Aw man, I hope my next movie doesn’t get canceled since you joined the franchise.”
7. Kiefer Sutherland
Ever since 24: Live Another Day ended, fans of the series have wanted to see the namesake of the show return to the screen in any form or fashion. This could be Kiefer’s next big project, and he could come back in a big way by bringing his Jack Bauer skills to Cable. Imagine a 24 style countdown clock randomly popping up to switch between scenes of the movie, and Deadpool constantly pretending he’s a spy of some sorts on a secret mission with Jack Bauer. It would be simply amazing.
8. Bruce Campbell
Bruce Campbell has been killing it as an older Ashley Williams in Ash vs. Evil Dead, and I for one think he has what it takes to play a badass like Cable. He has the perfect mixture of action and comedy experience from doing the Evil Dead series and shows like Burn Notice, and that could be put to use in a role like this. How could Deadpool make fun of him you ask? Perhaps by asking if Cable lost one of his arms because a demon possessed it, or commenting on how Cable has put on a few pounds since the comics.
9. Dominic Purcell
While Purcell is an out of the box choice, I do believe that he could use his brutish physique and his darker sense of humor to play a character like Cable. He’s terrific as Heatwave on DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, and even though he normally plays criminals and thugs, I feel like he could turn it around and play a straight shooting soldier type. What can Deadpool do to mock Purcell? He’d probably say something like, “Are we so desperate that we’re using the guy no one’s cared about since Prison Break,” or, “Where’s your bitch boy Wentworth Miller?” While he’s not the most famous actor on this list, he’s still a gruff badass, and I think it would be an interesting experience to see him take on Cable.
10. Joe Manganiello
While Manganiello is actually the same age as Ryan Reynolds, he looks much older than he is, and I feel like with a little makeup and movie magic he would be up to par for the role of Cable. Besides that, he’s an extremely diverse actor, and could perfectly play both sides of the field by appealing to action and comedy. He could turn himself into a gruff badass with the snap of a finger, and spin right around to making fun of Wade’s jokes. And of course, how else would Deadpool make fun of him besides making constant stripper references through the whole movie? Big Dick Cable anyone?
