Deadpool & Wolverine Director Reveals Shocking Secrets Behind Easter Eggs and Titanic Missed Opportunity

The world of Deadpool & Wolverine is filled with Easter eggs and hidden references that keep fans on their toes, but one shocking detail revealed by the film’s director, Shawn Levy, might have just changed everything we thought we knew about the movie. In a candid interview on EW’s The Awardist podcast, Levy, along with stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, discussed some of the most intriguing visual elements in the film. Among the numerous references scattered throughout the “Void”—a wasteland teeming with nostalgic nods—was a mysterious ship that had fans buzzing with theories. Some were convinced it was a nod to Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, but Levy dropped a bombshell: not only was it not from Master and Commander, but the ship’s origins might surprise you.

The Titanic and the Seafaring Vessel That Could Have Been

As the conversation on the podcast unfolded, Levy admitted that at one point, the visual effects team had seriously considered placing the Titanic among the wreckage of the Void. Yes, you heard that right—the iconic ship from James Cameron’s 1997 blockbuster nearly made a surprise appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine as an Easter egg. But the plot thickens—this was no mere slip of the tongue. In fact, Levy revealed that the ship featured in the movie was originally part of a much broader pool of options, including Russell Crowe’s ship from Master and Commander. “We were going to have the Titanic in it,” Levy said, sending a ripple of shock through the podcast hosts and listeners alike. “There were some serious discussions about including it. But, in the end, we realized it just didn’t fit into the chaotic, over-the-top world we were creating.”

The Easter eggs in Deadpool & Wolverine are more than just fun references—they’re a key part of how the film ties together the fractured legacy of the Fox era before its merger with Disney. These visual nods are a wink to fans who’ve followed the convoluted history of Fox’s superhero films, but the idea of Titanic’s ill-fated journey entering the Deadpool universe seems almost too absurd to be true. “It’s funny how these things evolve,” Ryan Reynolds remarked, chuckling. “We started with a sinking ship, but we had to let it go.”

A Generic Ship or a Masterpiece of Visual Mischief?

The ship that ultimately made it to the screen, however, was not Russell Crowe’s Master and Commander vessel, nor was it an homage to Titanic—as shocking as that may be. According to Levy, the ship was entirely custom-designed by the visual effects team: “It was a generic ship from our VFX library,” he revealed. “But then we gave it a unique color, added custom sails, and made it an original Deadpool & Wolverine ship.” In other words, it was a blend of visual mischief and creative freedom, designed specifically to fit the chaotic, comic-book world of the film.

This ship, while not from Master and Commander, serves as a symbol of the film’s playful attitude toward its legacy. “We told the visual effects team to go wild,” Levy continued. “We didn’t care if it was obscure or totally out of left field—just give us the best, weirdest ideas. This is Deadpool, after all.” But here’s the kicker: While the ship was an entirely original creation, Levy hinted that the Easter eggs weren’t always so straightforward. “There were times when we thought we were getting something iconic, like the Titanic or Crowe’s ship, but the best ideas always seemed to come from the oddest places.”

Nakatomi Tower, The Titanic, and the Quest for the Perfect Easter Egg

If you think Deadpool & Wolverine only dabbled in ships, think again. Levy and his team also snuck in a whole series of other references, including Nakatomi Tower from Die Hard and the CN Tower in Canada. “Canada wins,” Levy joked during the podcast, referring to how numerous Canadian landmarks and symbols made their way into the background of the film. “It’s kind of like a love letter to the absurdity of all these films and how they intersected under one roof when Disney took over.”

Yet, the movie’s visual smorgasbord of references doesn’t end there. Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds also teased that they’d once tried to bring Nicolas Cage back as Ghost Rider, only to discover that Marvel was now “obsessed” with casting Channing Tatum as Gambit. It seems like Deadpool & Wolverine was truly a free-for-all, a film where no idea was too outlandish, and every Easter egg had its own journey before being locked in place.

The Master and Commander Prequel and Other Unseen Futures

The connection between Deadpool & Wolverine and Master and Commander isn’t just a hypothetical scenario. Levy’s revelation comes at a time when 20th Century Studios (formerly Fox) is actively working on a Master and Commander prequel. This prequel, which has been in the works since 2021 with Chaos Walking’s Patrick Ness penning the script, could potentially bring Russell Crowe’s beloved character back to the high seas. “I’m trying so hard,” said Steve Asbell, head of 20th Century Studios, in a recent interview. “It’s the first movie I worked on at Fox 20 years ago. We have a great script. It just needs the right director.”

While the fate of Master and Commander remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Deadpool & Wolverine proved that anything—no matter how absurd or impossible—can make its way into the Marvel universe. As for the Titanic? Well, that ship may have sailed… but maybe not for long.