Brad Pitt had a brief but memorable cameo in Deadpool 2, and David Leitch explains how it all happened.

Ryan Reynolds is about to lead his third Deadpool film, Deadpool & Wolverine, but 2018’s Deadpool 2 had a lot of interesting moments and actors. And Brad Pitt even had a fun cameo with an interesting background.

Ryan Reynolds made his debut as the Merc with a Mouth in 2009’s X-Men: Origins. However, the 2016 action comedy Deadpool really cemented Reynolds as the perfect actor to portray the famous anti-hero. He reprised his role in Deadpool 2, and he’s about to star in his third film, this time sharing leading responsibilities with Hugh Jackman, who returns as Wolverine.

While promoting his latest film, The Fall Guy, David Leitch, who helmed Deadpool 2, discussed the film during an episode of Happy Sad Confused. The director, who worked with Pitt several times, explained how his cameo happened in the film.

Pitt was initially in the running to play Cable, a role that eventually went to Josh Brolin. “Ryan and I went to pitch Brad,” Leitch explained. “We had concept art, and it’s sort of how the Vanisher cameo came to life. Because I think he entertained it for a bit and I know his schedules wouldn’t allow it to happen, so he came and did the cameo for fun.”

Producer Kelly McCormick confirmed Pitt was intrigued by the pitch, and that Pitt “looked cool as Cable.” Michael Shannon was also in the running to play Cable, who appeared alongside Pitt in Leitch’s Bullet Train.

David Leitch Explained How He Scored Deadpool 2

David Leitch had initially met with Reynolds for a different project before joining Deadpool 2. He was interested in doing a mutant X-Force film, which would’ve been the next movie after the second Deadpool. However, the meeting had turned out to be an audition for Deadpool 2.

The director, who was also a second unit director for 2013’s The Wolverine, also discussed whether there was a conversation about Hugh Jackman joining Reynolds for Deadpool 2. “Hugh and I had a great relationship, and I know Ryan always wanted to bring that relationship back together at some point, but I think it was too early on in that conversation.”

He continued, “It would have been amazing, I think, bringing them together.” Leitch and producer Kelly McCormick couldn’t help but note that Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds starring together is “genius” and both were excited to see the upcoming superhero film.

Deadpool & Wolverine, which director Shawn Levy clarified isn’t Deadpool 3, comes out in theaters on July 26.