Bullet Train is full of cameos from familiar faces. But none get to the ‘Where do Where do I know them from? heights of The White Death, the majestic-haired Russian mob villain who crosses paths with Brad Pitt’s unlucky Ladybug during the action.
If you can’t put a name to a face, we’re here to help. Here’s the identity of the actor playing The White Death, as well as the full list of other cameos along the way, including a major actor director David Leitch wanted to cast in Bullet Train.
Who plays The White Death in Bullet Train?
Throughout Bullet Train, the specter of The White Death, the shadowy leader of the world’s largest criminal organization, looms large. In the final act, he shows his face. As perhaps previously revealed in the film’s marketing, the heavily tattooed figure is played by Michael Shannon, best known for his role as prohibition agent Nelson Van Alden in Boardwalk Empire and as Zod in Man of Steel. He has been nominated twice for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, once for Revolutionary Road and most recently for Nocturnal Animals.
Other bullet train cameos
We are about to enter major Bullet train spoiler territory! If you haven’t seen the new action flick, come back now, because we’re going to go over all the surprise cameos that weren’t revealed before the film’s release.
Ryan Reynolds as Carver
Director David Leitch certainly has his favorites, and Ryan Reynolds (who appeared in Leitch’s Deadpool 2 and Hobbs & Shaw movies before this one) is one of them. Brad Pitt’s sissy mentions his colleague ‘Carver’, the killer who was sick during the bullet train job, throughout the film. It is later revealed that Carver attempted to kill The White Death, but instead accidentally killed his wife. He unmasks during a flashback and Reynolds’ face is seen.
Channing Tatum as the train passenger and Sandra Bullock as Ladybug’s handler
Channing Tatum’s unnamed train passenger finds himself aboard the bullet train, precipitated by several misunderstandings with Ladybug. His continued interaction throughout the trip confuses Tatum’s character, who thinks it is code for some kind of sexual encounter.
Unlike Reynolds, Tatum has never appeared in a David Leitch movie, but he has a good reason to be here. Sandra Bullock -who appears as Ladybug’s handler- previously did a back-scratching maneuver, I scratch yours with Brad Pitt. Essentially, if Bullock appeared in Bullet Train, Pitt would appear in his film The Lost City, so Bullock’s appearance was not a surprise.
Tatum had a lead role in The Lost City, so it seems like the deal between Bullock and Pitt actually extended a bit beyond a simple exchange between the two.
Everyone else in the Bullet Train cast you may have missed
Those aren’t the only big names coming in and out of Bullet Train. Alongside Michael Shannon, Ryan Reynolds, Channing Tatum and Sandra Bullock are a host of famous faces. Another assassin, Hornet, is completely undercover wearing a costume of the cutesy Momomon mascot. She is played by Zazie Beetz.
Other quick appearances include the train’s stern conductor, played by Masi Oka from Heroes. The helpful staff member handing Ladybug a bottle of water during a fight scene with Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Tangerine should also look familiar to fans of The Boys. She is played by Karen Fukuhara.
Director David Leitch even appears in one scene, listed in the credits as Jeff Zufelt. Leitch has even teased a dream cameo idea that never came true: Keanu Reeves as Ladybug’s therapist.
For more on Bullet Train, be sure to check out our interview with director David Leitch and producer Kelly McCormick. For everything else coming up in 2022, there’s our guide to movie release dates.
