Ever since co-directing the “John Wick” franchise in 2014 and then splitting off on his own from partner Chad Stahelski, filmmaker David Leitch has been one of the most in-demand action directors on the planet. Almost taking the most recent “Jurassic World” reboot before rethinking it ultimately, since ‘John Wick 1,’ Leitch has directed a “Fast And Furious” spin-off, “Atomic Blonde,” “Bullet Train,” “Deadpool 2,” and his upcoming film “The Fall Guy” which opens tomorrow and stars Ryan Reynolds and Emily Blunt.
Promoting “The Fall Guy” on the most recent episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Leitch was also asked about his time on the “Deadpool,” and in his answers, along with his producer Kelly McCormick (also his wife), the pair revealed that initially, Ryan Reynolds was eyeing Leitch for a totally different film in the “Deadpool” franchise.
“The funny story is that David actually met with Ryan over getting to do a mutant—‘X-Force’ story and their first movie was about the next movie, and directing X-Force.” McCormick revealed, meaning an ‘X-Force’ or third ‘Deadpool’ movie after “Deadpool 2.” “And it turns out it turned out maybe to just be an audition for ‘Deadpool 2,’ so then you had already gotten [Ryan] hooked, and they fell in love with one another in this meeting, and then it’s like, ‘Oh, but ‘Deadpool 2,’ is available first, do you wanna do ‘Deadpool 2 with me?’ And David’s like, ‘How could I not?’”
Of course, the X-Force team was an instrumental part of “Deadpool 2,” so they clearly found a way to work that into the second installment regardless.
“I was a huge fan of Ryan’s first one and irreverent comedy, I love it, so and I was a fan of Ryan and ‘Van Wilder,’ and I love Peak Ryan, so I love my Ryans, I guess,” Leitch explained. “So, it was really great to go to comedy camp with Ryan, and I think that, hopefully, we surprised each other without comic sensibilities cause it was really a great match, and we had a blast.”
“And we’d really love to do more with him,” McCormick interjected, Leitch emphasizing the same.
Asked if he was ever asked to do “Deadpool & Wolverine,” the answer was essentially no, but Leitch did note that he worked with Hugh Jackman on “The Wolverine,” as second-unit director, loves him and can’t wait to see the movie. “I think bringing [Ryan and Hugh] together is genius,” Leitch said. “We’re so excited about ‘Deadpool 3,’” McCormick added.
One little tidbit near the end: Leitch confirmed the rumor that he tried to get Brad Pitt for the role of Cable that eventually went to Josh Brolin (who isn’t in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” but wishes he was).
“Yeah, we went to pitch Brad, Ryan, and I,” Leitch admitted, “And we had concept art.” “He was intrigued,” McCormick added, “He looked cool as Cale, the concept art was awesome.”
“It’s sort of how the Vanisher cameo came to life,” Leitch continued, referencing the way Pitt is in the movie, however briefly as the invisible X-Force member, only seems for one brief second in the sequel. “Because he, like he had entertained it for a bit, but schedules wouldn’t allow it to happen, so he came in and did the cameo for fun.”
McCormick noted that Michael Shannon was actually going to be Cable for a while, but it didn’t work out; however, they got to work with him and Pitt on “Bullet Train,” so they crossed both off their bucket list.
Whether or not Leitch ever comes back to the “Deadpool” franchise remains to be seen. Leitch is a big Reynolds fan, but he’s also super in-demand at the moment. And who knows, if “The Fall Guy” film turns into a franchise, that could keep him busy for the next few years, too.
Watch the full interview below.