Deadpool 2 will bring back a fan favorite to the big-screen X-Men universe: the Juggernaut. The monstrous antagonist was last seen in X-Men: The Last Stand, but now that he’ll be reintroduced to this new world of mutants, what can we expect from the villainous brute?
Let’s learn a little bit about him and see where he might be headed in Deadpool 2.
The Origin of the Juggernaut
The Juggernaut’s real name is Cain Marko. He is actually the stepbrother of Charles Xavier. The two siblings did not get along and Cain would regularly torment Charles. After Cain’s father died, the enmity between Cain and Charles intensified. Eventually, the two found themselves serving in the military together. During their deployment, they stumbled upon an ancient temple. While inside, Cain discovered the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak. This mystical item transformed him into a superhuman being with enhanced strength and invulnerability. As the temple crumbled around them, Charles escaped and Cain was left for dead.
Eventually, he crawled out of the rubble and sought revenge on Charles. The armor he obtained shielded him from Charles’s psychic powers, so it was up to the X-Men to stop this massive menace. Even though he was defeated, he would continue to prove himself a vicious adversary of Charles and his team of mutants.
So, what does this mean for Deadpool 2?
Colossus vs. Juggernaut
From what we’ve seen of Deadpool 2, we know that Colossus will be returning for a second go-around. And thanks to a piece of the Deadpool 2 score — you can listen to it here but it is NSFW due to language — we know that Juggernaut is going to have a big fight scene in the film. These two foes have clashed a few times in the comics, and Colossus even gained the powers of the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak for a while. Basically, there is some serious history between these two.
So, are they going to duke it out? There is a screenshot from a recent TV spot for Deadpool 2 that definitely looks like Colossus is delivering a punch to the Juggernaut’s iconic armor. Considering that they never got to lay the smackdown on each other in X-Men: The Last Stand, it’s going to make fans very happy to see these two trade punches for our amusement.
Now that the movie is out, we can jump for joy over the fact that these two foes got to trade punches in an extended fight sequence. This showdown was easily one of the highlights of Deadpool 2. It was great to see the Juggernaut realized in full and to see him bat around Colossus. Though it seems like the Juggernaut was down for the count by the end of the film — he took a power line straight up his backside — we hope this isn’t the last time we see the awesome baddie on the big screen.
Is there anything else we can expect from ol’ Juggy in future films? Well, maaaybe…
Mystical X-Men Adventures
If Deadpool 2 follows the comic book origins of the Juggernaut, it means that a magical element will have made its way into the X-Men universe. The Crimson Gem of Cyttorak isn’t just how Cain gains his powers. It also acts as a doorway to the Crimson Cosmos. This is a dimension that houses the spirit of Cyttorak, the powerful deity that uses Cain as his avatar. So, could Juggernaut be a nifty way for the X-Men universe to get mystical?
Maybe. It’s just as likely that Deadpool 2 is going to make the Juggernaut another mutant and ignore the crazier aspects of his origins. It would be awesome if they didn’t though. Deadpool is the one character and franchise that is free to do whatever it wants. Go nuts! Give us crazy alternate dimensions and magical gems! The sky is the limit. It wasn’t exactly clear what the Juggernaut’s origins were in the finished film, so we’ll keep hoping to see some of this insanity on screen.
Whatever is going on with the Juggernaut, we’re excited to see him back on the big screen. We’re hoping that he’ll get a little more of a faithful adaptation than the last time.
A version of this article appeared on May 4, 2018.