Marvel Studios’ latest blockbuster, Deadpool & Wolverine, has been rampaging its way through gratitude-filled posts on social media, much like Wolverine’s adamantium claws through a troupe of villains. In fact, the fun has continued post debut as the film’s cast and crew unpacked some seriously surprising guest appearances. From an unexpected rehash of a stars-spangled feud to an outpouring of love for a Cajun, the behind-the-scenes reveals were as thrilling as the on-screen acrobatics.

Arguably one of the biggest surprises of the film was the return of Wesley Snipes’ Blade, and Ryan Reynolds (our very own Deadpool) wasn’t shy about sharing images of the nostalgia-inducing reunion. One may recall that the two had quite a turbulent relationship during the filming of Blade: Trinity. But hey, it’s been twenty years – surely, even superhero actors can bury the hatchet, right? Reynolds certainly has high hopes with his opine of a grand send-off for Blade, akin to Logan’s dramatic farewell.

Taking A Stab At Gambit

Gushing about surprises, Reynolds also took to social media to praise his good mate, Channing Tatum, who finally got to flex his muscles as Gambit – a portrayal that has been a decade in the making. Is it just us, or is there something particularly rewarding about watching a dedicated actor finally bask in the glory of a brilliant performance? Certainly, fans of this ragin’ Cajun can only hope it won’t be the last we see of Tatum in this role.

A New Coat of Steel

Those who thought they’d forgotten Superman were in for quite the jaw-dropping surprise as Henry Cavill emerged from the shadows as a variant of Wolverine. Does this man ever look bad in a role? If his portrayal of Wolverine was any indication – we’d wager not. The former Man of Steel (now Man of Adamantium, perhaps?) even took a stab at humor by poking fun at his infamous Justice League mustache debacle on Instagram.

A Spin of Fate For Laura/X-23

As if the surprises weren’t enough, Dafne Keen also decided to break her silence, confirming her return as Laura Kinney, a.k.a. Wolverine’s daughter X-23. Not a variant, she clarified, but an older version of the Laura we met in Logan. Ah, the nuances of time and aging superhero characters.

A Twirl of The Sai

Fans who were still reeling from Elektra’s return in Daredevil received yet another shock when Jennifer Garner shared a video of herself back in assassin shape, twirling her twin sai swords in preparation for her role in Deadpool & Wolverine. As sublime as ever, the actress leapt into action with an elegance that could only be outdone by her delightful on-screen presence.

Not Your Average Torchbearer

And finally, Chris Evans, who is no stranger to the Marvel Universe, raised quite a few eyebrows with his return – not as the valiant Captain America, but as his previous, less-buttoned-up role, the Human Torch. It’s evident from his cheeky posts that revisiting the Fantastic Four’s Johnny Storm again was an absolute blast, even going as far as to throw out a few curses that Steve Rogers wouldn’t dare..