In Deadpool, Wade Wilson's R-rated mischief proved delightful and refreshing while also reinvigorating 20th Century Fox's X-Men franchise. The film's success allowed them to push the envelope, superhero movie-wise, and create the grim yet poignant final Wolverine film, Logan. Before Deadpool hit the box office, FOX announced Deadpool 2 and teased the introduction of longtime fan favorite mutant, Cable, who was later confirmed.After a months-long search, the studio hired Josh Brolin, who also portrays the Marvel Cinematic Universe's mega-villain Thanos. As production cranks along on the sequel, Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool) thrilled his Twitter followers with a first look at the time-traveling X-Man. Cable's distinctive costume also provides some telling clues as to what may lie ahead for Deadpool 2 and FOX's X-universe itself.

The Clothes Make the Mutant

What Josh Brolin's Cable Costume Reveals About Deadpool 2

Created by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza for New Mutants #87, Cable is son of Jean Grey clone Madelyne Pryor and Cyclops a.k.a. Scott Summers (first shown in Uncanny X-Men #201). As an infant, Apocalypse infected Cable with a techno-organic virus either to destroy him or fulfill his destiny by becoming the mutant tyrant, depending on who you ask. Overrun by the virus, Cyclops allowed Mother Askani (later revealed as his daughter Rachel Summers from an alternative reality) to spirit young Nathan into the future (phew!).

As a quintessential early 90s superhero, Cable's costume originally consisted of massive guns, more pouches than a herd of kangaroos, and massive shoulder pads so ought to be a shoulder pad joke or two in Deadpool 2. Since then, the mutant hero has gone through a number of wardrobe changes, but each costume tends to indicate a specific era.

Fans' first full look shows off his massive arsenal, including a more practical-sized version of his oversized, futuristic gun, as well as several smaller handguns. His tactical vest and belt are also jammed with the requisite ammo pouches and clips while several concussive grenades line his bandolier.

Cable also sports his iconic cyborg look, including an eerie, Borg-like cybernetic eye another byproduct of the virus which is spot on. In addition, the film properly adapted his trademark facial scar, a star-shaped battle wound over his right eye. His cyborg arm also appears more weathered and authentic, which contrasts Colossus' shiny metallic form from the first Deadpool. New to the mix, though, are several cybernetic cables running up his neck which, although not from the comic, are a nice touch.

Overall, FOX's live-action rendering respects his sources, especially since Liefeld's original design is a ponderous bulk without easily workable real-world analogs. The stripped-down costume and lived-in cybernetics also better fit the aesthetic of the cinematic X-Men which already altered the traditional yellow and blue costumes for more practical getups. His look, assuming FOX followed a design aesthetic, though, is reminiscent of one distinct comic book saga, Messiah Complex.

A later set photo, which shows off the time warrior's tattered cloak, further hinted in this direction. His attire reflects his appearance in the Messiah trilogy-ender Second Coming. More telling still is the oddest artifact in his arsenal, a teddy bear slung from his right hip. So what does a time-hopping mutant warrior need with a stuffed animal, and how does it relate to Wade Wilson's second outing?

Deadpool 2: The Messiah Complex?

What Josh Brolin's Cable Costume Reveals About Deadpool 2

Pairing a roguish temporal wanderer with a child's toy could be nothing more than a lark on behalf of the ever-serious Deadpool staff. It also might refer to Wade's *ahem* predilection for stuffed animals or is a throwback to the promo art from the first film, which shows Deadpool about to execute a stuffed bear. Considering Cable is the comedic foil of the duo, the bear stands a good chance of announcing Hope Summers' entry into the X-Men cinematic universe.

After Scarlet Witch depowered mutants on M-Day (in Decimation), Hope's birth kicks off in one of the X-Men's most elaborate and touching modern storylines, Messiah Complex, along with its sequels Messiah War and Second Coming. If she is part of the plan, then Cable has likely arrived in the present to rescue the newborn mutant. It's also possible his Second Coming-like garb, as well as the beat-up bear, could also indicate Hope's status as a young girl or teenager, who arrives alongside Cable.

Including Hope and her grave story arc in a Deadpool sequel sounds like a lot of baggage (and pathos) to saddle the otherwise splatstick franchise with, though. Instead, she may represent a tease or a plot point to bring Cable into contact with Wade. Still, the name "hope" showed up an awful lot (twice) in the pre-Logan teaser, so her intimated introduction is hard to disregard.

Deadpool Promo Photo Teddy Bear (Low-Res)

Deadpool 2, like its predecessor, could have a softer edge to contrast the bloody violence. After all, much of the first film's emotional core derived from Wade and Vanessa's genuinely touching relationship, as well as his camaraderie with companions like Blind Al and Weasel. Cable's defense of Hope might act as a dramatic element, merging the Lone Wolf & Cub element of Messiah Complex with the potty humor and meta-realism of anything Deadpool related. Played seriously amidst the cornball carnage, Hope's story could add real gravitas and kick off an aptly rocky relationship between Nathan and Wade.

Were the Merc with a Mouth charged with finding or even assassinating Hope, not knowing she's just a child, much less the mutant messiah, that would put him in direct conflict with Cable. In the comic, anti-mutant Purifiers, led by William Stryker and cybernetic villain Bastion, as well as temporal jumper Bishop, scramble to murder the first new mutant. In doing so, one of them could employ Deadpool in their efforts. Tweaking the Messiah Complex story to add the regeneratin' degenerate wouldn't require much difficulty.

Even more intriguing, in the second chapter of Messiah War, Bishop first and last seen in X-Men: Days of Future Past makes a deal with Stryfe, Cable's evil clone, to help him hunt her down. Deadpool 2 could incidentally set Brolin up to play his evil twin (and yet another big bad in the Marvel Universe). The film may also combat some of FOX's confusing X-Men continuity.

For instance, Logan occurs roughly 13 years after Deadpool, in a possible future where Transigen has obliterated almost most of the mutants. Clones like X-23 and her kiddie cohorts are, at present, the sole hope for homo superior. However, if Hope enters the picture, she could flip the X-Men's world on its head. Believe it or not, Deadpool 2 has the power to launch an overarching saga that connects the disparate worlds of the First Class X-Men, Logan, and Deadpool something particularly important as FOX brings X-Force and New Mutants into the fold.

Understandably, linking costumes and toys to a major plotline coup for the series is a stretch. Still, FOX is fully aware of Cable's significance to their cinematic universe and Wade's second go-around is a natural introduction for the time-hopping hero. He's always been a problem solver for the mutant squad in the comic books and has the power to help the studio's universe builders fill in some major plot holes. Ironically, Deadpool 2 may hold the key to deeper connections within the X-Men world.

The Messiah trilogy featured a sweeping scale, somewhat convoluted plot, and inspiring (by name and design) message. Inserting a haunting spiritual allegory into Deadpool's second round could unbalance the film. Still, as Dark Phoenix rehashes one of the X-Men's greatest classic tales, Deadpool 2 can at least plant the seeds for an amazing modern tale told on an epic scale. Perhaps there's Hope for mutants at FOX after all. And all it takes is one time-displaced hero and a teddy bear.

Next: How Cable Can Unite The X-Men Movies & Rival MCU