“No Rehearsal”: Deadpool’s Unlikely Star Reflects on a Decade of the Franchise

While Thor’s dramatic arrival during the climactic conflict of Avengers: Infinity War—sporting a god-tier weapon to challenge Thanos—was undoubtedly iconic, Dopinder’s intervention at the conclusion of Deadpool 2 remains equally legendary. There is a certain poetic justice in watching the mild-mannered taxi driver decisively eliminate the sadistic headmaster of the Essex Mutant Re-education Center. Unlike the God of Thunder, who famously failed to “go for the head,” Dopinder didn’t hesitate to finish the job.

Actor Karan Soni recently sat down to reflect on the 10th anniversary of the Deadpool franchise, identifying that specific lethal moment as a career highlight. Over the course of the trilogy, we’ve watched Dopinder transition from a naive civilian into a man thoroughly desensitized by the Merc with a Mouth. By the end of the first film, he had already resorted to kidnapping; by the second, he had evolved into a cold-blooded assassin.

“I had quietly made it my mission for the sequel,” Soni explains. “I told the team that my only real wish was for Dopinder to finally take someone out.”

In the following conversation, Soni delves into the character’s moral descent, his experiences filming alongside titans like Ryan Reynolds and Josh Brolin, and his aspirations for Dopinder’s future within the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe.

An Unconventional Path to the MCU

Can you describe the initial casting process for the first Deadpool?

We were filming in 2015, so the audition likely took place in late 2014. The project was shrouded in secrecy—it was operating under a pseudonym, and I wasn’t particularly well-versed in the source material. Honestly, I didn’t have high expectations. I actually had a callback for a television series starring Patrick Stewart on the same day, and I was much more focused on that because it felt like a stable gig. I treated the Deadpool audition as just another one-and-done meeting. It wasn’t until several months later that my manager called to tell me I’d landed the role. I actually thought he said Daredevil at first!

They wouldn’t even email the script; I had to physically go to the casting office to read it under supervision. Once I read it, I was floored. It was easily one of the sharpest, most hilarious scripts I’d ever encountered. The concept of breaking the fourth wall felt incredibly fresh to me. I immediately connected with Dopinder’s archetype—the innocent soul just waiting to be led astray. Working with Ryan Reynolds was the ultimate incentive.

What was your first interaction with Ryan Reynolds like on set?

There were no chemistry reads or prior meetings. We met for the very first time right as we were preparing to shoot the taxi sequence. We were on the Georgia Viaduct in Vancouver, and the production had a very limited window to film before the freeway had to reopen for rush hour. It was incredibly high-pressure. We were essentially thrown into the car and told to start acting immediately—no rehearsals, just pure instinct.

I was completely starstruck. Ryan has a natural movie-star aura that can be quite intimidating. We started riffing and improvising, but that whole first day was a blur. The first film had a relatively modest budget for a superhero movie, and you could feel that urgency on set. It was fast, raw, and a little terrifying for me at the time.

The Evolution of a Gateway Character

Dopinder is a unique addition created specifically for the films. How did his role grow?

That was really the brainchild of Ryan and the writers, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. He wasn’t in the earliest drafts, but they eventually realized how well the dynamic worked. By the time the sequel came around, they were eager to expand on that chemistry. After Dopinder’s kidnapping subplot in the first film, I lobbied the writers for a “Deadpool-style” kill. I actually cornered Rhett at his wedding to pitch the idea! They clearly took it to heart, because giving Dopinder that moment with the headmaster was incredibly satisfying.

You’ve shared the screen with some heavy hitters like Josh Brolin. What was that experience like?

Working with Josh Brolin was definitely a “pinch-me” moment. He’s a cinematic icon, and I was quite nervous, but he turned out to be wonderful. He was on a grueling, restricted diet for his role as Cable, so he used to live vicariously through me. I’d eat snacks in front of him and describe the flavors in detail while he watched. Despite his “tough guy” reputation, he’s actually a total sweetheart—a real teddy bear.

As a non-superpowered character in a world of mutants, do you ever feel like you’re missing out?

Honestly, I love being the audience’s representative on screen. When I see the physical toll those roles take on actors—the endless gym sessions and flavorless meals—I’m perfectly happy where I am. Watching Ryan eat steamed chicken and broccoli out of a Ziploc bag like a robot convinced me that I don’t need to envy the heroes. I’ll stick to the taxi.

Do you think Wade Wilson truly corrupted Dopinder, or was that darkness already lurking within him?

I think the potential for darkness was always there. Deadpool didn’t necessarily create it; he just provided the key to unlock it.

Looking Toward the Future

Your role in Deadpool & Wolverine was more of a cameo. How did that production compare to the others?

It felt like a completely different beast, primarily because we moved production to London. The first two films were so deeply rooted in Vancouver—it’s Ryan’s hometown, and the city really embraced us. In London, the vibe changed, but seeing the creative shorthand between Ryan and director Shawn Levy was fascinating. They operate as a single unit. Plus, getting to spend a day in the presence of Hugh Jackman was an unforgettable experience.

The “Brown Panther” line in the sequel became an instant fan favorite. Was that scripted?

That was actually a post-production addition! Ryan does a lot of ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) work where he tries out new jokes while wearing the mask. Black Panther had just become a cultural phenomenon after we finished principal photography, so he threw that line in later. The reaction it got at the premiere was massive.

What are your hopes for Dopinder’s future in the MCU?

I’d love to have a proper scene with Hugh Jackman down the line—that’s definitely on the bucket list. I’d also love to see Dopinder’s romantic life explored more. There is something endlessly funny about Deadpool giving genuinely terrible dating advice to a guy who takes him way too seriously.

Source: Polygon