When Radcliffe was asked directly about any involvement he may have had in Levy’s film in a video for Vanity Fair, he denied it outright. Indeed, he admitted that he wanted to become fit merely for his own edification:
“I got buff because I am obsessive, and I want to […] You’ve seen my parents, they’re like insane fitness people. So that’s just been passed on. But no. No Wolverine. Flattered, but no.”
Radcliffe’s mom was a casting agent and his dad was a literary agent, but they were also keenly focused on fitness and exercise, so Radcliffe, as an adult, encouraged himself to stay buff. It had nothing to do with playing a superhero or any other role for that matter.
Reese and Wernick, meanwhile, also put the kibosh on Radcliffe’s involvement, admitting to THR they never wrote a draft of their script that the actor would have fit into. They had plenty of other wild ideas, but Radcliffe was never involved in any of them. As Reese noted, they would have sooner cast Danny DeVito as Wolverine:
“No, I don’t think that ever came up. It was a rumor that flew all over, but I don’t think Daniel Radcliffe was ever considered. I think I saw Danny DeVito rumor too. That was never considered, I don’t think.”
Reese was then corrected by Wernick, saying that the pair actually pitched DeVito to the studio as “Short Wolverine.” Reese recalled that was correct, adding, “It was thought it was just funnier to see Hugh. A short version of Hugh was funnier.” He also pointed out that “Short Wolverine” was “obviously, other than by the comics, was inspired by Tim Conway’s ‘Dorf on Golf.'”
“Dorf on Golf,” as all truly cultured individual recall, was a 30-minute 1987 comedy short found in well-stocked video stores around the world. Tim Conway played Dorf, a cocky golfer who stood about 3’10” (Conway performed on his knees). Vincent Schivelli played Dorf’s bumbling caddy. If the makers of “Deadpool & Wolverine” truly had any chutzpah, they would have included Dorf in their film.
