Deadpool: Zachary Levi says he wanted to play the character for years

Can you imagine anyone else playing Deadpool besides Ryan Reynolds? It’s hard to picture anyone else in the role that Reynolds has made his own but another actor has revealed that he dreamed of taking on the role for years.

Shazam! star Zachary Levy revealed during an appearance at DragonCon, via “Koimoi“, that before he joined the DCEU, he always dreamed of being the one to portray a live-action version of Deadpool. He admits to some playful jealousy that Reynolds ultimately got the part but he also expressed admiration for what the actor has done with the role. He also teased another Marvel role he wouldn’t mind tackling. Here is what he had to say:

“For years I’ve wanted to be Deadpool. I was so jealous that Ryan… he rocked that… when you see somebody do something that you’ve wanted to do for a long time, and they do it great, you’re like ‘kudos, rock ‘n roll.’ Reed Richards would be kind of fun. But to be truthful, I don’t even really allow myself to go down those roads because I’m so good. I’m so set. The fact that I even get to be Captain Marvel/Shazam!/Billy Batson, it’s such a fun dream role. And it’s got so much different DNA than almost every other superhero.”

Levin had previously joined the MCU as Fandral in Thor: The Dark World, taking over the part from Josh Dallas due to scheduling conflicts with the latter’s series, Once Upon a Time. The character was swiftly offed in Thor: Ragnarok but Levi went on to join the DCEU in Shazam! and that film’s success has led to the upcoming sequel, Shazam! Fury of the Gods. I’m sure Levy is happy where he ended up, even if he still has dreams of portraying the Merc with a Mouth.

Could you see Zachary Levi playing Deadpool?