The standalone film starring fan-favorite comic book anti-hero Deadpool was stuck in development for many years following the character’s disastrous appearance in X-Men Origins: Wolverine - though the movie did already have a director in Tim Miller as well as a script from Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. Still, it wasn’t until test footage leaked online, generating buzz and prompting fan outcry for the film, that 20th Century Fox decided to give Deadpool the green light.
Before Deadpool opened in theaters, the film was already generating plenty of buzz among critics and comic book fans alike, prompting reports that a sequel was in the works at Fox. In the time since Deadpool opened, it has received massive critical praise and broken records at the box office. Now, Fox has officially announced the Merc with a Mouth’s second outing in Deadpool 2.
The studio’s co-CEOs Stacey Snider and Jim Gianopulos announced the sequel during Fox’s presentation at CinemaCon 2016 and confirmed that Miller will be returning for the project along with Wade Wilson himself Ryan Reynolds. They additionally announced, Reese and Wernick will also return to pen the script for Deadpool 2.
The sequel to Deadpool has been talked about since before the film opened in theaters, but took on new vigor once the movie debuted along with its two post-credits scenes that teased a second installment involving fellow comic book favorite Cable. Reports in the weeks the followed seemed to confirm the Deadpool sequel would feature Cable in a co-headlining role, while many speculated about who would be cast as the comic book character. Additionally, Miller recently offered his own take on how Cable could fit into the sequel.
As for what kind of storyline the sequel will follow, Reese and Wernick have previously stated that they will likely stay true to the world established in the first film and follow the same process as they did with Deadpool - that is to say, craft a story that may be inspired by the comic book source material, but isn’t shackled to it.
Although very little is known about Deadpool 2 at this time, it’s likely already one of the most anticipated films within Fox’s X-Men universe thanks to the positive response to Deadpool. When the sequel will arrive remains to be seen, though it could take the place of one of two release dates already scheduled by Fox on their X-Men slate. Additionally, with rumors that Deadpool 2 filming may get underway as early as later this year, the Merc with a Mouth’s second outing may arrive in theaters in 2017 or 2018.
Next: Deadpool 2 May Start Filming If Fall 2016
Deadpool will be released on Blu-ray on May 10, 2016. X-Men: Apocalypse opens in theaters May 27th, 2016, followed by Wolverine 3 on March 3rd, 2017, and unannounced X-Men films on October 6th, 2017 (possibly Gambit), January 12th, 2018 (possibly Deadpool 2), and July 13th, 2018. The New Mutants is also in development.
Source: 20th Century Fox
