Marvel Madness – Our Top 5 Picks to play Cable on the big screen

Ever since Deadpool teased us with the suggestion that Cable will be in the sequel, various actors have been dropping not-so-subtle hints that the directors should cast them. Despite Cable being a popular character in the comics since the 90s (although his first appearance was as an infant in 1986), and having appeared in multiple video games and in X-Men: The Animated Series, Deadpool 2 will be Cable’s first appearance in a film.

It’s unclear exactly what role Cable will have in the Deadpool sequel, but it is expected to be more than just a cameo, with both Tim Miller and Ryan Reynolds having expressed interest in having Cable in the film series for a while. Cable is a time-travelling mutant with a complicated backstory, which is perhaps why he has yet to be seen on the big screen. He has had a mixed past with Deadpool, going enemies to allies and back again on several occasions.

As a Domino cosplayer with a love of X-Force, for me it’s really important that they get the choice of Cable correct. As well as the top 5 in this list, there have been other names thrown into the mix such as Pierce Brosnan and Kyle Chandler, but here are my top choices and my own personal on them:

5 – Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson has been suggested, most likely because of his silver fox look and action movie history. He bulked up to play the villain in Expendables 3, so he is no stranger to having to work hard for his recent roles. Whilst Mel Gibson is a great actor, he would cost a lot of money to cast as Cable, meaning that funds would have to be cut elsewhere. And, while the first Deadpool film was done on a low budget, it would be great to have a perfect cast rather than the money blown on one character. Being a big-budget Hollywood star would also take the shine away from the brilliant Ryan as Deadpool, so casting the perfect person alongside Reynolds to get the right balance is key to the sequel’s success.

4 – Dolph Lundgren

Dolph Lundgren is one of the world’s best known action stars, so he would fit the role of the tough X-Force leader well. Physically, he would be well suited to play Liefeld’s musclebound character. Dolph is also a badass as much in real life as he is in his films, having a 3rd degree black belt in Karate. He also has previous experience with Marvel characters, having portrayed Frank Castle in the 1989 Punisher film. Whilst the Punisher film was not well received, maybe Cable would be a more suitable character for Dolph to portray?

3 – Ron Perlman

Ron Perlman certainly has the right hair and build for Cable, and he is another actor that has expressed a strong interest in the role. Always posting fan art and suggestions on his social media accounts, he is really keen to get support behind him for the casting. What’s more, Perlman is no stranger to comic book characters. He has previously played Hellboy in the title role, as well as doing various voice over work for comic book cartoons. Having been the gun-wielding Hellboy, he would have no trouble doing justice to the role of Cable. However, while in terms of physicality and experience Perlman would be perfect, facially there are perhaps some better choices (see below).

2 – Jon Hamm

Jon Hamm would be perfect for playing a slightly younger-looking Cable. Fan art has shown that facially he would suit the role, and with the likes of Cable co-creator Rob Liefeld himself recommending him for the part in the past, you don’t get much higher praise than that. Jon Hamm is a fantastic actor, having won Golden Globe Awards for his role in Mad Men, so he could certainly bring the more emotional side of Cable to the film. Hamm has also been involved in comedies such as Bridesmaids, so he could bring a comedic element that could balance out Ryan’s witty Deadpool. The main issue with Hamm would be that he currently does not have the right build for the character, and one of the things that Cable was famous for was his ridiculously massive muscles.

1 – Stephen Lang

Stephen Lang is my top choice, as well as many others’ top pick, for Cable. Not only does he really look the part, he has been regularly posting pictures of himself in the gym, showing off his suitability for the role and how much he wants to be the character. As well as playing the musclebound army villain in Colonel Miles Quaritch in Avatar, Lang showed us all how badass he can be in his recent movie Don’t Breathe, playing the scary blind veteran Norman Nordstrom. Cable is a battle-scarred, time travelling warrior, so it is crucial that Fox casts someone that can show us the harder, grizzled side of the character.  Sadly, the latest rumours may rule Lang out of the part, as his contract with the Avatar films might mean he could potentially be unavailable after all.

Let us know what you think of these five picks in the comments, and feel free to share your own choice for who should play Cable in the upcoming Deadpool sequel.

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The writer of this piece was: Louise Saul (aka Tiny Tigress Cosplay)
Louise Tweets from @AikiSaul

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