Over the weekend arrived some disappointing and rather unexpected news: Tim Miller, the visual effects artist who made his feature directorial debut with this February’s refreshingly entertaining “Deadpool,” would not return for the planned 2018 sequel. While star/producer Ryan Reynolds’ endless enthusiasm for the foul-mouthed Marvel character played a huge role in the anti-superhero blockbuster’s phenomenal success, both financially and critically, Miller’s involvement was, in many ways, just as vital. He’s the one who reportedly leaked the test footage, the risky move that ultimately inspired 20th Century Fox to finally realize the project after relentless online support flooded in, and he worked wonders with the relatively minor $58 million budget.
But there’s no sense in getting caught up in the past. Reynolds and Miller sadly don’t see eye-to-eye anymore. They’ve “amicably” split ways. The sequel lives on. So let’s look ahead.
There are no shortage of options to fill that vacant director’s chair, and considering it’s among moviegoers’ most anticipated sequels at the moment, Fox won’t likely make this choice lightly. Sure, they might hire a yes man (or woman) to fill Reynolds’ demands, but let’s be a little more optimistic. We here at The Playlist have chosen some filmmakers who would be inspired choices for the gig, and within the realm of possibility.
Now, before we begin, let’s address the elephant in the room: you’ve probably heard by now there’s an online petition going around to get Quentin Tarantino the job. However, to be frank, that’s likely never, ever, ever going to happen. Not in a million years. Tarantino is among the very few legitimate American auteurs in the business with actual power. If he is indeed only going to make two more films before exclusively writing mystery novels, we highly, highly doubt he’s going to let number nine be “Deadpool No. 2.”
With that out of the way, let’s look at some more, shall we say, viable options for the position.
Marjane Satrapi
Graphic novelist-turned-filmmaker Marjane Satrapi is perhaps best known as the author of the vulnerable, intimate black-and-white autobiography “Persepolis,” as well as the co-director behind its Oscar-nominated 2007 animated film adaptation, which proved her talent for translating her artistry onto the big screen. Seven years later, Satrapi found herself working beside Ryan Reynolds in the massively underappreciated “The Voices,” the vibrant live-action dark comedy that showed her filmmaking talents were no fluke, especially as she directed it solo this time.
Displaying the same rich visuals found in her previous work, with the extra value of bright colors this time around, Satrapi made a surprisingly touching, quietly affecting serial killer comedy with as much pathos as there was blood splatter and uncomfortable laughs. It also brought us one of Reynolds’ best performances to date, before he would reach a new peak with “Deadpool.” With that in mind, Satrapi seems like a perfect pick for the position, and as such, she’s the filmmaker that inspired this very article you’re reading. Her talent for violence, explosive imagery, dark comedy and winning characters makes her a natural fit for the material, and her relationship with Reynolds — assuming everything is still hunky-dory, of course — would ease her comfortably into the film’s already-tumultuous state. Plus, it would let a female Iranian director make a high-profile tentpole Hollywood blockbuster, which is certainly not something that comes along every day.
Fede Alvarez
Few filmmakers make devilishly entertaining movies these days like Fede Alvarez. The filmmaker behind 2013’s exceptionally gory “Evil Dead” remake and this year’s impressive sophomore film “Don’t Breathe” has a deft hand at balancing gore, violence and dark comedy. In that sense, the acclaimed filmmaker and professional Sam Raimi protege should fit right at home with “Deadpool 2.”
While the rising talent has quite a few options for what’s next, including noir superhero flick “Incognito,” Alvarez could have a window open in his schedule. Although he doesn’t have any history with the players involved in “Deadpool,” he seems to know how to make friends up the food chain, and there’s little doubt in his talent. Now, what role Alvarez’s muse Jane Levy will get if he lands this job remains up in the air.