If you were scrolling through movie news back in early 2017, you probably remember the absolute circus surrounding the search for Cable. It was the role every rugged, middle-aged actor in Hollywood seemed to be circling. For a hot minute there, it really looked like David Harbour was the guy. Coming off the massive first wave of Stranger Things fame, Harbour was the internet’s favorite pick to play the time-traveling, grizzly mutant in Deadpool 2.
But he didn't get it. Josh Brolin did.
People still get confused about this. You'll see fans on Reddit or X (formerly Twitter) swear they remember a trailer with Harbour, or they wonder if he was ever actually in the movie. He wasn't. Not even a cameo. But the story of how close he came—and why the production eventually moved on—is a wild look into how high-stakes superhero casting actually works.
The Screen Test with Ryan Reynolds
This wasn't just a "his agent sent a tape" situation. David Harbour actually sat down and did a full screen test with Ryan Reynolds. That is a massive deal. In the industry, a screen test usually means you're in the final two or three candidates. You're in the suit (or a version of it), you're reading lines, and you're checking for that elusive "chemistry."
Reports from The Wrap and Collider at the time confirmed that Harbour was a frontrunner. Honestly, it made sense. He has that "tired dad who could still kill you" energy that Jim Hopper made famous. Cable is basically just Jim Hopper with a bionic arm and a much worse attitude.
The producers and director David Leitch were looking for someone who could be a "straight man" to Reynolds' chaotic Wade Wilson. Harbour’s natural deadpan style is world-class. If you've seen him in Stranger Things or even his later turn in Violent Night, you know he can play "over it" better than almost anyone.
Why David Harbour Missed Out on Cable
So, if he was that good and he actually tested, what went wrong?
It basically came down to a mix of scheduling and a sudden change in the "prototype" for the character. Originally, the production was looking at a lot of different "types."
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- Kyle Chandler was an early favorite for original director Tim Miller.
- Michael Shannon was very close to signing but had scheduling conflicts.
- Brad Pitt actually met for the role (and eventually did that split-second Vanisher cameo as a nod to those talks).
When David Leitch took over the director's chair, the vision shifted. Then, the production schedule for Deadpool 2 got pushed back by a few months. This was the turning point.
When the dates moved, Josh Brolin suddenly became available. Before the delay, Brolin was busy. But with the new window, Ryan Reynolds and Leitch realized they could get their "first choice." Reynolds later told Collider that Brolin was always the guy they wanted, but they didn't think they could get him because of his Thanos duties in the MCU. Once the door opened for Brolin, the "shortlist" that included Harbour basically evaporated.
The Physicality Factor
There’s also the "built like a tank" issue. In the comics, Cable is a massive, towering presence. David Harbour is 6'3" and naturally broad, which actually made him a better physical match for the comic version than Brolin, who is about 5'10".
However, Brolin went on an absolute tear in the gym. If you remember his Instagram from 2017, the man was living on "no sugar, no bread, no pastas." He transformed himself into a machine. While Harbour definitely has the height, the studio eventually leaned into the star power and the "prestige" of Brolin, especially since he was already the face of the biggest villain in movie history at the time.
It Worked Out for the Best (Sorta)
Losing the Deadpool 2 gig felt like a blow to fans at the time, but Harbour didn't stay out of the superhero world for long. Shortly after the Cable casting was finalized, Harbour landed the lead in the Hellboy reboot.
Now, look, we all know how Hellboy (2019) turned out. It wasn't great. It was actually kind of a mess. But it proved Harbour could carry a massive prosthetic-heavy franchise film.
Eventually, he found his way into the "proper" MCU as Red Guardian in Black Widow. Honestly? Alexei Shostakov is a much better fit for Harbour’s specific brand of humor than Cable would have been. Cable is stoic and grim. Red Guardian is a loud, out-of-shape, delusional Russian super-soldier with a heart of gold. It plays to Harbour’s strengths in a way that the "straight man" role in Deadpool 2 might have stifled.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that there was "drama" or that Harbour "bombed" the test. That's just not how it went down. Casting at this level is like a giant game of Tetris. If one block (like a filming date) moves, the whole board changes.
Harbour has always been classy about it. He's joked in interviews about the process, but there’s no bad blood. He even shared a laugh with Reynolds later on.
Key Takeaways from the Casting Saga:
- Harbour was a Top 3 finalist: He wasn't just a rumor; the screen test happened.
- The Brolin factor: Brolin only got the part because the movie's production was delayed, clearing his schedule.
- Physicality vs. Star Power: While Harbour fit the "comic height," the studio prioritized Brolin's massive 2017/2018 momentum.
- The Multiverse irony: We now live in a world where Harbour is a staple of the MCU as Red Guardian, and Brolin has played both Thanos and Cable.
If you're still dying to see what it would have looked like, there’s some incredible fan art by BossLogic from that era that shows Harbour with the glowing eye and the silver hair. It looks awesome. But in the end, we got the Red Guardian out of the deal, and that feels like a win for everyone.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
If you want to see the performance that almost made David Harbour Cable, go back and watch Stranger Things Season 1 or his work in A Walk Among the Tombstones. You can see that specific "hard-boiled" energy he was planning to bring to the Fox X-Men universe. Also, keep an eye on the upcoming Thunderbolts* movie; it’s the closest we’ll get to seeing Harbour bring that "super-soldier" grit to the big screen again, just with a Russian accent instead of a futuristic one.