Liev Schreiber, known for his role as Sabretooth in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” recently shared his reasons for not reprising the character in the MCU’s “Deadpool & Wolverine.” Schreiber, who succeeded Tyler Mane as Wolverine’s formidable adversary Sabretooth in live-action cinema, had a more significant presence in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.” However, he was noticeably absent from the numerous cameos in “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
In an interview with Collider, Schreiber addressed his absence, expressing gratitude for the fans’ desire to see him return, but ultimately felt content with not reclaiming the role. Observing the rigorous physical preparation undertaken by his former co-star, Hugh Jackman, Schreiber decided it was best to step aside. He remarked:
“Honestly, reaching that physical level requires a tremendous amount of effort. Watching Hugh [Jackman] get back into shape made me realize, ‘I’m quite comfortable watching from the sidelines.'”
Schreiber’s portrayal of Sabretooth once positioned him as Wolverine’s half-brother, despite this not being rooted in Marvel Comics lore. Coupled with the general expectation for superhero actors to maintain peak physical condition, Schreiber’s hesitations were entirely understandable.
Why Liev Schreiber’s Decision to Skip Deadpool & Wolverine is Justifiable
Hugh Jackman’s Extensive Experience with Intense Physical Training
At 55, Jackman is renowned for the rigorous training regime he undertakes to embody Wolverine. This was evident in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” where his efforts were showcased in a climactic scene where only the upper portion of his costume (excluding the iconic mask) remained intact after a time-rip. While Sabretooth’s role likely wouldn’t have demanded the same level of preparation, his connection to Wolverine might have required some physical readiness.
Even without the typical “shirtless scene” reserved for lead superheroes, actors often need to train for action-packed sequences. Tyler Mane’s participation in “Deadpool & Wolverine” involved a brief charge at Wolverine before being decapitated, but even such a short scene can demand multiple takes. Given Schreiber’s Sabretooth shares a closer bond with Wolverine than Mane’s rendition, his involvement would probably have been more substantial.
Ryan Reynolds’ portrayal of Deadpool didn’t include a shirtless moment, but he undoubtedly trained for numerous action scenes.
Though Hugh Jackman is well-versed in the process of bulking up for X-Men roles, Schreiber’s recent projects have leaned away from action-heavy narratives. Considering this, preparing for what might have amounted to a few fleeting minutes on screen would have been quite a challenge for Schreiber. Nevertheless, with Wolverine surviving the events of “Deadpool & Wolverine” and continuing within the MCU, there remains an opportunity for Schreiber to reconsider and potentially feature in a future MCU project like “Avengers: Secret Wars.”
Deadpool & Wolverine
A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
Upcoming MCU Movies
Captain America: Brave New World
Thunderbolts*
The Fantastic Four (2025)
Blade (2025)
Avengers: Doomsday
Avengers: Secret Wars
Source: Collider
