Deadpool & Wolverine Introduces Matthew McConaughey to the MCU as Cowboy Deadpool

The following story contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine.

WE’RE LOSING TOUCH with what the word ‘cameo’ actually means. Merriam-Webster defines it as “a small theatrical role usually performed by a well-known actor and often limited to a single scene,” and, when I was growing up, that was always the context in which it was used. Some key examples of actual cameos: Alfred Hitchcock’s walk-ons in his movies, Bruce Campbell showing up for short bits in Sam Raimi‘s Spider-Man movies, and, hell, even Stan Lee’s Marvel Cinematic Universe appearances.

In recent years, though, the meaning of the word has been used outside of this context and has begun to be used by some synonymously with “surprise appearance.” These aren’t the same thing! While it was a huge surprise to see Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire show up in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, those weren’t cameos. Both actors pop into the movie surprisingly mid-way through, but since they stick around through to the end of the movie, they aren’t just cameos—they’re supporting characters.

This turns out to be the case again in the MCU’s latest outing, Deadpool & Wolverine. A bunch of characters surprisingly show up in the middle of the movie, including Jennifer Garner’s Elektra, Dafne Keen’s X-23, Channing Tatum’s Gambit, and Wesley Snipes’s Blade. These were huge surprises! But since they stick around for quite a few scenes, they aren’t cameos. They’re simply supporting characters, and the movie’s director, Shawn Levy, agrees with this definition.

That being said, there are a number of actual cameos in Deadpool & Wolverine. Early in the film, Jon Favreau appears in a single scene as Happy Hogan to give the film a bit of a connection to the MCU fans know and love. Henry Cavill shows up for just a brief moment as the “Cavillrine.” And near the end of the movie, the Deadpool Corps show up, making for an opportunity for several more cameos where famous actors’s faces aren’t even seen.

Among the Deadpool Corps are Lady Deadpool (played by Blake Lively), Headpool (played by Nathan Fillion), and several other surprise actors. But one of the most intriguing appearances is Cowboy Deadpool, a Wild Wild West variant of the film’s titular character.

He only has a couple lines of dialogue, but if you thought the voice of that actual cameo sounded familiar, then, well, you’re probably right. Because it’s a voice that most of us have heard many, many times in the last 30+ years.

Matthew McConaughey plays Cowboy Deadpool in Deadpool & Wolverine

Ever since bursting onto the scene in Richard Linklater‘s 1993 coming-of-age classic Dazed and Confused, Matthew McConaughey has been a mainstay of film and television, coming with one of the most recognizable personas, swaggers, and, yes, voices, of any star in the business. While the Uvalde, Texas native’s career has gone through a number of different phases, there’s no question that he’s been universally respected for his work in the last 15 years, winning an Oscar for his work in Dallas Buyers Club and leading incredible projects like Interstellar and True Detective.

And while you may not have realized it was the How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Magic Mike star in the moment while watching Deadpool & Wolverine, it probably makes complete sense in the aftermath that one of our greatest Texans played Cowboy Deadpool.

It’s also fun to learn that Cowboy Deadpool isn’t just a one-off joke for the film; there’s comics lore and source material behind this character. Also known as “The Deadpool Kid,” Cowboy Deadpool is from Earth-1108, and has made three comics appearances, typically alongside the Deadpool Corps (just like in the film). He first showed up in 2010’s Merc with a Mouth #7 before returning a couple years later in Deadpool Kills Deadpool #2 and #4.

McConaughey has flirted with Marvel many times before

While this quick cameo officially marks McConaughey’s MCU debut, it’s not his first rodeo into the world of Marvel rumors and lore.

Perhaps most notably, he was the original choice to play Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) father, Ego the Living Planet, in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (Kurt Russell eventually played the part). In an interview with Playboy, McConaughey revealed that he chose to appear in the doomed film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower over the role in Guardians. “I like Guardians of the Galaxy, but what I saw was ‘It’s successful, and now we’ve got room to make a colorful part for another big-name actor,’” he said. “I’d feel like an amendment.”

Way back in 2014, McConaughey’s name was floated as a possibility to play Doctor Strange in the MCU when talks with Benedict Cumberbatch for the role initially fell apart due to scheduling. The next year, he confirmed that he’d spoken to both Marvel and DC about some parts, and said that he was “sure open to” appearing in a future film.

Most recently, in 2020 McConaughey went on the Happy. Sad. Confused. podcast and revealed one character he actually tossed his hat in the ring for: The Incredible Hulk. He says he “wanted it,” but that Marvel told him “No, thank you.” It’s not clear at what point this happened—whether it was competing with Edward Norton, with Mark Ruffalo, or at any other random time—but, well, still relevant in any context.

While McConaughey got to officially make his Marvel debut in a bit part as Cowboy Deadpool, we still wouldn’t be shocked to see the Texan show up in a larger, more substantial part down the road. The Tom Holland Spider-Man series still hasn’t introduced a Norman Osborn, after all. Just saying!