Summary

• The Deadpool & Wolverine trailer hints at a multiverse narrative that could change the entire MCU franchise.
• Cable's absence from the trailer suggests that his inclusion in the MCU would have greater consequences than Deadpool.
• Josh Brolin will not be appearing as Cable in Deadpool & Wolverine, but he may return in future movies.

Deadpool & Wolverine has teased some exciting details, but it also features one conspicuous absence - Cable. Cable appeared in Deadpool 2, played by Josh Brolin, which seemed to set up the pair's further cinematic adventures. However, Cable is not depicted in the Deadpool & Wolverine trailer, suggesting the famed hero will not be returning for the long-awaited sequel.

Deadpool & Wolverine is the Deadpool & Wolverine trailer confirms a multiverse narrative that threatens to change the entire franchise. Interestingly, Cable's absence may hint at the franchise's future trajectory, with his inclusion in the MCU prompting far greater consequences than Deadpool.

Did Cable Go Home At The End Of Deadpool 2?

At the end of Deadpool 2, Cable doesn't explicitly return to his original timeline or home. Throughout the movie, Cable's primary objective is to prevent his daughter and wife from dying tragically in a future timeline. This was ultimately resolved through the heroes' actions, but rather than use his time-travel device's final charge to return home, Cable used it to save Deadpool's life. Cable stated his resolve to remain in this time and ensure that his archnemesis, Apocalypse, isn't able to return to power in any future timeline.

Deadpool 2's ending seemed to set up further adventures with the surviving X-Force team. Interestingly, Wade actually has Cable's time-travel device repaired in the mid-credits scene but opts to keep it for his own purposes. According to the Deadpool & Wolverine trailer, these seemingly included rescuing additional of the X-Force, rather than just Peter, as depicted in the Deadpool 2 mid-credits scene. This Deadpool 2 retcon could extended further to include Deadpool also returning the device to Cable off-screen - with a throwaway line in Deadpool & Wolverine indicating that Cable returned to his timeline between the movies.

Josh Brolin's Explains Cable's Absence From Deadpool 3

In an interview with Collider, Brolin stated that he will not be appearing as Cable in Deadpool & Wolverine, joking that it's perhaps because Reynolds doesn't like him. Brolin had previously confirmed that he had been contracted to appear in four movies as Cable (via ComicBookMovie), which many people presumed would encom Deadpool 3, an X-Force movie, and a solo Cable movie. This would suggest that Brolin will return as Cable at some point, but it seems he will not appear in Deadpool & Wolverine.

Brolin's four-contract deal was agreed upon when the movies were under Fox's remit. Following Disney's acquisition of Fox, this deal could be renegotiated. Disney might also wish to create some distance between Brolin's Cable and Brolin's Thanos - which could be addressed with Deadpool's fourth-wall-breaking style in Deadpool 2 but may need to be handled differently within the MCU timeline. Indeed, for Cable to appear in Deadpool & Wolverine, several implications will need to be addressed.

Firstly, Deadpool & Wolverine will be released within the MCU, presumably depicting Wade Wilson transitioning into the MCU timeline in some form. Including Cable in this would need further justification, either depicting him transitioning with Deadpool or having him already exist in the MCU universe. Including Cable in the multiverse-traversing narrative could have been a costly decision when the movie is also hiring Hugh Jackman. Having so many stars appear in the movie may have squeezed the budget too greatly.

Additionally, Cable is far more closely associated with the X-Men than Deadpool is. Cable's backstory is intimately connected to the X-Men's Jean Grey and Cyclops and the infamous X-Men villains, Apocalypse and Mister Sinisters. Introducing Cable into the MCU would necessitate establishing these in some form in the MCU - which could conflict with, or risk rushing, the franchise's plans for the mutant heroes.

It is far more likely that Cable will return once the X-Men have been introduced - with Brolin's sterling performance being saved for future movies once certain conditions have been satisfied. Brolin's return as Cable will be better suited as a multiverse variant within the MCU's universe. That said, the MCU and the Deadpool movies are notorious for keeping secrets from audiences to proffer some surprises, which could function to resolve some of these issues. Deadpool & Wolverine has promised a swathe of delightful surprises, and a cameo from Brolin could be one of them - even if it seems unlikely.

Sources: Collider, ComicBookMovie