Wesley Snipes Sets Two New Guinness World Records With ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Cameo — Actor Reacts With Pride and Humor
In one of the most unexpected and thrilling pop culture moments of 2025, Wesley Snipes has not only returned to the Marvel universe — he’s made history while doing so. The iconic actor, best known for bringing the vampire-slaying superhero Blade to life on the big screen in the late ’90s and early 2000s, stunned fans with a surprise cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine. But that wasn’t all.
The brief but impactful appearance earned Snipes two Guinness World Records: “Longest Time Between Original Marvel Role and In-Continuity Return” and “Most Theatrical Marvel Franchise Cameos by a Single Actor Across Distinct Timelines.” Both honors underscore his enduring legacy and unique place in the Marvel cinematic multiverse.
Snipes, ever the charismatic showman, reacted to the news in a way only he could — with a mix of humility, pride, and razor-sharp humor.
Snipes’ Shocking Cameo in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’
Marvel fans around the globe were sent into a frenzy when Snipes appeared as Blade in the multiverse-spanning Deadpool & Wolverine, directed by Shawn Levy and set for a July 2025 global release. The film stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reprising their roles as Deadpool and Wolverine, respectively, in a reality-bending adventure through fractured timelines and alternate realities.
Snipes’ cameo was tightly under wraps during filming, with Marvel Studios employing its usual cloak of secrecy. But when he appeared onscreen — trench coat, sunglasses, and all — fans in early screenings erupted in applause.
“It was one of those theater-shaking moments,” said film critic Tara McKinley. “No one expected it, and yet, when he walked in and said, ‘Some motherf***ers are always trying to ice skate uphill,’ you could feel the nostalgia explode.”
Snipes’ Blade emerges in a post-apocalyptic timeline briefly intersecting with Deadpool and Wolverine, offering a cryptic warning and a flash of action before disappearing into the multiversal ether. The scene lasts just over 90 seconds — but it was more than enough to solidify his status in Marvel history.
Breaking the First Record: Longest Time Between Original Role and Return
Wesley Snipes first appeared as Blade in Blade (1998), which predates the launch of the modern MCU by a full decade. His trilogy — completed with Blade II (2002) and Blade: Trinity (2004) — laid the groundwork for the superhero boom that would later dominate Hollywood.
According to Guinness World Records, the 27-year gap between Snipes’ first appearance and his return in Deadpool & Wolverine is the longest ever for any actor reprising a Marvel superhero role in a live-action film. The previous record-holder was Tobey Maguire, who returned as Spider-Man in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) after a 14-year hiatus.
Snipes now stands atop that category — fittingly, as one of the pioneers of modern superhero cinema.
“This one means a lot,” Snipes said when presented with the record certificate. “Because it says something not just about the movies, but about the fans. They didn’t forget me. They didn’t forget Blade.”
Breaking the Second Record: Most Franchise Cameos Across Timelines
Snipes’ second Guinness record celebrates his unique crossover appeal. In addition to the original Blade trilogy and his new multiverse cameo, Snipes also voiced a variant of Blade in the 2023 animated Marvel anthology What If…?, and appeared as an alternate Blade in the 2024 short film Marvel: Broken Realms.
That totals five distinct timeline or universe appearances in theatrical and canon-based Marvel projects — more than any other actor playing a single Marvel character.
“It’s wild,” Snipes joked. “I went from being a lone vampire hunter to becoming a multiverse MVP.”
Guinness’ Senior Adjudicator, Alicia Park, said: “What Wesley Snipes has accomplished is a testament to his longevity, versatility, and the enduring impact of his original work. These records recognize not just moments in time, but milestones in pop culture.”
Marvel Studios Reacts: “He Opened the Door”
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, who worked as an associate producer on Blade in 1998, praised Snipes for his contributions.
“There is no Marvel Cinematic Universe without Wesley Snipes,” Feige said. “He proved a superhero movie could be cool, profitable, and culturally resonant. Bringing him back for Deadpool & Wolverine wasn’t just fan service — it was history coming full circle.”
Snipes’ return was orchestrated in secret, with only a handful of key crew members aware. Even Reynolds and Jackman admitted they were “floored” when they saw the finished scene.
“Wesley is a legend,” Reynolds said. “I grew up watching Blade. It was a dream — and a challenge — to share a scene with him. He absolutely stole the moment.”
Snipes on Set: “It Was Like Putting on a Sacred Uniform”
In interviews following the reveal, Snipes described his emotional return to the role of Blade.
“The moment I put on the coat and shades again, it was like being back in 1998,” he said. “But there’s more gray in the beard now, and more wisdom behind the eyes. Blade has aged. So have I. But the fire’s still there.”
Snipes praised the film’s crew for treating the moment with reverence.
“They knew it wasn’t just a cameo — it was a resurrection.”
Snipes, who has long advocated for diverse representation in superhero films, also noted how much the genre has evolved since he first picked up the sword.
“I see young Black kids watching Black Panther, watching Miles Morales, and I smile. Because we fought for that. Blade was the test case, the blueprint.”
Social Media and Fan Reactions: A Blade Reawakens
After the premiere, fans took to social media to celebrate Snipes’ return and his new world records.
One viral tweet read: “Wesley Snipes returning as Blade just cured my depression.”
Another fan posted: “Forget Avengers. I want a multiverse Blade team-up movie with Snipes leading the charge.”
Memes, tribute videos, and fan art flooded platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). Within 24 hours, the hashtag #BladeIsBack trended globally.
Guinness World Records’ official post of Snipes receiving his two certificates garnered over 10 million views within a day, with thousands of comments celebrating his legacy.
Looking Ahead: Could There Be More Blade?
While Mahershala Ali remains slated to lead Marvel’s upcoming reboot of Blade (now scheduled for 2026 after multiple delays), fans are speculating whether Snipes could appear in that film as well — perhaps in a mentor role or as a variant in the multiverse.
Snipes remained coy about future appearances.
“I’ll say this — you never know where Blade might show up. The multiverse is a big place. And there’s still a few vampires left to hunt.”
He did, however, express support for Ali, calling him “a brilliant actor and a worthy successor.”
“Mahershala’s gonna crush it. He’s bringing his own flavor. But the essence of Blade — the attitude, the edge, the code — that’s in good hands.”
Legacy Secured: Snipes Reflects on 30 Years in Hollywood
Snipes’ record-breaking return in Deadpool & Wolverine serves as a fitting tribute to a career that has defied categorization. From martial arts icon to box office star, from cult classic king to comeback hero, Snipes has long marched to the beat of his own drum.
“This industry doesn’t always make room for you to come back,” Snipes said. “So when it happens, when the door opens — you walk through it with gratitude and with style.”
With two Guinness World Records now in his pocket and a legacy that continues to grow, Wesley Snipes stands as a true icon of superhero cinema.
“History remembers pioneers,” he said with a smile. “And vampires remember Blade.”
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Would you like a visual companion (timeline of Blade’s appearances or infographic of the records)? Or a condensed version suitable for a press release or magazine feature?
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