Even those who haven’t yet seen "Deadpool & Wolverine" are aware of the film’s lineup of actors reprising beloved roles from 20th Century Fox’s Marvel universe. While fans celebrated the return of many characters, not all original actors made an appearance. Notably, former WWE star Kevin Nash recently commented on his replacement in the film, sparking a response from the new actor.
Caution: Minor spoilers for "Deadpool & Wolverine" ahead.
In 2004, Nash portrayed a memorable assassin known as The Russian in "The Punisher." During a recent podcast episode, Nash expressed his disappointment regarding the new actor’s portrayal of The Russian, stating, "It looks like they gave somebody a favor."
The actor stepping into the role of The Russian is Billy Clements, who took to social media to address Nash’s remarks. Clements shared insights about his journey to land the role, revealing, "I really worked hard to get that role. I trained for seven years, starting from being an extra and auditioning countless times."
Clements emphasized his dedication, explaining that he gained 32 pounds of muscle for the character and even studied Russian for three months. He acknowledged Nash’s original portrayal with respect and gratitude, expressing appreciation to those involved in the project, including Ryan Reynolds and Kevin Feige, for the opportunity to audition.
"Deadpool & Wolverine" is currently screening in theaters, and it features several other Marvel cameos, making it a must-see for fans of the franchise.
