As we approach the release of “Deadpool 2” later this week, fans are starting to wonder what’s next for the Merc with a Mouth. Ryan Reynolds has already said that there are no immediate plans for a “Deadpool 3,” even going so far as to say that there might not be one, at all. What we do know is that the foul-mouthed Marvel hero is scheduled to appear as part of the upcoming Fox superhero team-up film “X-Force,” alongside Josh Brolin’s Cable and perhaps Zazie Beetz’s Domino.
Not much is known about “X-Force.” We know that Drew Goddard, best known as the writer of “The Martian,” “Cabin in the Woods,” and “World War Z,” is helming the film as his next project after his directorial debut “Bad Times at the El Royale.” Other than that, it’s clear that Deadpool has something to do with it.
READ MORE: ‘Deadpool 2’: A Filthier, Funnier, Maximum Overkill Sequel That Works [REVIEW]
But in an interview with Collider, Reynolds is opening up about “X-Force,” and why it’s not just going to be another “Deadpool” film:
“I just wanna work with Drew. I mean, I love him and he has such an interesting take on where he wants to take that world. I see it being a real ensemble on a lot of levels just because I think it’s interesting for Deadpool to kinda function in the way he does in his own universe. You always get to sort of find some way to position him as the underdog or take everything away from him, but for him to function in an ensemble [in ‘X-Force’] is a lot of fun. I think there’s a real opportunity to not burden the narrative by shattering Wade’s life, so then at the beginning our movie you get to have him just be part of the team, which is obviously a very challenging prospect for someone like Wade Wilson. So, I’m really excited about that. I’m excited about a couple new characters that we’re talking about. And I’m really especially excited to work with Drew. He’s just amazing.”
As far as when we might see the film, it sounds as if it’s still a long way off. In fact, Reynolds says that a story has been approved, but there’s not even a script. “There’s a storyline that everyone’s happy with, but there isn’t a script yet. That’s yet to come,” says the actor.
One thing that’s also still up in the air is the rating for the film. As you might imagine, the “Deadpool” films operate in a hard-R arena. But the character’s appearance in the team-up flick doesn’t necessarily guarantee an R-rating for “X-Force.”
“It’s all story first. I don’t think anybody’s thinking about the rating. I mean, my sort of wild guess would be that it would be an R-rated movie, but again, right now we’re just assembling the troops to figure out what story we would tell. And it’s a ways away from shooting still, and I don’t even have an idea as to the exact date. But yeah, we’ll see. Story first though,” explains Reynolds.
And since it wouldn’t be an interview with a Marvel actor until you ask about the pending Fox/Disney (maybe Comcast?) merger, Reynolds openly admits that he’s pretty much as in the dark as anyone else. “It really is at the moment—and maybe it’s an illusion, and maybe I’m naïve—but it’s business as usual at Fox…I like to think that whoever buys Fox is buying it to keep intact, and to allow it to be its own entity. I mean, it’s a valuable asset, it’s under a totally different set of rules and leadership,” says the actor.
And lastly, since there’s simply not enough marketing materials out there for “Deadpool 2,” we feel it’s our civil duty to promote this little indie and share a new clip from the film that takes joy in kicking a dog while it’s down by making fun of ‘Batman v Superman:’