Then and Now: These photos of the Deadpool and Wolverine cast will make you nostalgic

As anticipation builds for the release of Deadpool and Wolverine on July 26, what better way to kick off the countdown, than by taking a trip down memory lane with a look back at the characters and actors who are set to return to the big screen this FridayThis latest instalment promises to bring together a host of familiar faces and new additions, making it a nostalgic journey for many who have been watching the movies since 2000 when the first X-Men released. From Ryan Reynolds to Hugh Jackman, here's a look at how they’ve evolved over the years.

First introduced in the 2009 film X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Deadpool, portrayed by Ryan Reynolds, quickly became a fan-favourite antihero with his foul-mouthed humour and commentary. With Deadpool and Wolverine, Reynolds returns as the wisecracking mercenary. The third film in the franchise continues to explore Deadpool’s story, this time with an emotional look at his life as he sets out into the multiverse to save his timeline.

It’s hard to believe that it has been 24 years since Hugh Jackman first brought Wolverine to life in Bryan Singer’s X-Men, which debuted in 2000. Jackman's portrayal of the clawed mutant has become legendary, with the actor embodying the character’s grit and intensity over multiple films. As Jackman returns for Deadpool and Wolverine, it’s a significant moment for fans who have followed his journey from the early days of the X-Men franchise to this exciting new crossover.

Dafne Keen, who won hearts as Logan’s daughter in the critically acclaimed 2017 film, Logan, is all grown up and so is her character X-23. Although denied at first, her character makes her highly anticipated return in a cameo in Deadpool and Wolverine. Keen’s return will bring with it an emotional touch to the film, which will see the mutant share a heart-touching chat with a variant of her dad.

Morena Baccarin reprises her role as Vanessa in Deadpool and Wolverine. While we've seen her play the hero's love interest, according to reports, her relationship with Wade Wilson will take a significant turn in this instalment. Baccarin’s chemistry with Reynolds has been a key element in the previous films, and it will be interesting to see if the two can spark up a fire once again.

Sabretooth, a character with a complex history in the X-Men universe, first appeared in the 2000 film X-Men, portrayed by Tyler Mane. He was later recast with Liev Schreiber in X-Men Origins: Wolverine as Logan’s brother. Mane was reportedly dropped from the origins story due to Schreiber’s closer resemblance to Hugh Jackman. The upcoming film Deadpool and Wolverine teases a potential return of both actors, promising a thrilling revisit of this formidable adversary.