The fast-talking, foul-mouthed, masked superhero hasn't even arrived in theaters yet but Fox is already anticipating what a hit he'll be with fans who have been waiting for the R-rated anti-hero to get his own movie for years.
That's why even though the first “Deadpool” doesn't open until this weekend, The Hollywood Reporter has broken the exclusive that the studio has already greenlit work to begin on its sequel, to be written by the same writers as the upcoming film, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick.
The Merc with a Mouth rose to superstar status and has conquered all forms of entertainment media like no other in the X-Men franchise has before. Although actor Ryan Reynolds first played the role in 2009's “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” fans were not impressed with the way his character's origins, look, and his trademark potty mouth were taken away from him.
Screenplay writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick came in to the rescue and completely disregarded his appearance in “Wolverine” and brought back the character from the comics that the fans were already in love with. It took the production six years, but judging from fan reactions to the marketing for the film through trailers and billboards using clever emojis, they feel like they can finally do justice to “Deadpool.”
“We made a very early decision to ignore the previous incarnation of Deadpool in [X-Men Origins:] Wolverine, and maybe not even ignore it, but make fun of it even. It was so opposite what Deadpool fans envisioned for that character, so we kind of threw that overboard,” Reese said.
No details have been released on what direction a “Deadpool” sequel may take but some are speculating that Reese and Wernick may take the opportunity to finally introduce the X-Force – a mutant team-up led by Cable, Cyclop's son.
Or perhaps they could take the buddy-film route and make it a “Deadpool and Cyclops” movie. Afterall, Cable is a mutant from the future with incredible powers who is also quite annoying and honestly, a bit of a “piss out” – a perfect match for The Merc with a Mouth.
“Deadpool” opens in theaters this weekend on Feb. 12.
