Is There 8 Minutes Of R-Rated Test Footage For Deadpool?

There hasn't been much development concerning Fox's reboot of the character Wade Wilson better known as Deadpool. BleedingCool picked up creator Rob Liefelf stating he may have seen some R-rated test footage Fox could have shot. If this is indeed true it could mean that the studio could be finally figuring out when/how they will shoot. Fox seemed to have been mulling over what to do with the Merc-With-A-Mouth as the script written by the dynamic duo of Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (Zombieland, G.I. Joe 2) is clearly for an R-rated movie. There seemed to be some hesitation to pursue that type of rating considering all five X-Men universe films have been PG-13 money makers. X-Men franchise producer Lauren Shulder Donner recently spoke on the subject and even sounded like she was championing decision to go with an R rating. If this does happen this will be Fox's first R-rated Marvel film.

While rating isn't everything these days since Christopher Nolan was able to give us a down and dirty Batman film with the Dark Knight even if it was PG-13. Some might say the censors turned a blind-eye to a few scenes. However, when it comes to Deadpool the mercenary character needs to live in a hostile environment which he contributes to with a massive body count. He's also mentally unstable and unpredictable so explicit language is necessity. Here's hoping Fox comes to their senses and moves forward with this film soon. At one point it looked like Ryan Reynolds was going to walk from the project. Luckily, Green Lantern bombed and it doesn't look like that sequel will sweep him away.

"They’ve got a great director on the movie, they’ve got a great script. I may or may have not seen some sort of test of footage that would blow your mind if you saw it and go holy crap and that’s Deadpool in costume. Katana swords, guns, shooting people’s faces off and making me laugh. And I may or may not have seen something that looks just like that. And you’ve got what would amount to the first R Rated X-Men movie. Because that script is R Rated. 


 They may or may not have wanted to shoot eight minutes to see how it would play. And all I can tell you, it’s close. It’s closer that it’s even been to going, or going Naaah, that’s too scary a proposition to make a R Rated Deadpool movie.”

Marvel Unwilling To Create Any New X-Men Characters Because Of Fox?

Ever since Marvel Studios started making their own films and subsequently bought by Disney there seems to be tension between between Marvel and other rights holders. Rob Liefeld in an extensive  interview with WordBallon points out that Marvel hasn't created any new X-Men characters and it's not based on laziness. The comic book writer/creator is responsible for giving birth to Cable, Deadpool, Domino, Feral and X-Force. So when he talks X-Men he does have insider information. He's also been in active talks with 20th Century Fox over the Deadpool movie and possibly adding Cable to the X-Men films. 

Liefeld states Marvel/Disney isn't in the business of creating characters only to hand them over to 20th Century Fox for new additions to their films. Currently the studio holds the film rights to all the characters in the X-Men universe (hero and villains) which is an extensive group. I'm not sure if that also means that Fox gains rights to new characters as they are introduced in the comics. It's further pointed out that Marvel holds the toy rights to X-Men First Class but didn't release any over the summer when it was released. Since they would have competed with Captain America and Thor toys which Marvel gets a bigger profit from. He's pointing out Marvel is undercutting Fox's growth of their X-Men franchise where they can.

My take is that Marvel is smart by not helping Fox by handing over new characters bound by an old rights deal. They could feel the deal was unfair since it was drawn up during Marvel's financial troubles during the 90's and might not have predicted the future of the company. Hopefully there will be a way to wiggle the film rights back to Marvel other than cutting a billion dollar cheque which Rob suggests. I feel when the studio uses up all the villains they'll end up selling the rights back. The X-Men universe doesn't have a lot of film-friendly villains which must be annoying for Fox.

Lauren Shuler Donner Talks Deadpool, The Wolverine & First Class 2

If Kevin Feige is the face of Marvel Studios then producer Lauren Shuler Donner is the face of Fox's X-Men franchise. Lauren is responsible for producing X-Men 1-3, X-Men Origins and First Class. I have to commend her on finally giving us a solid X-Men film (First Class) after such a long wait since X2. Fox and Lauren finally took the material somewhat seriously and delivered a solid film rather than a cash-in mutant cameo orgy. She's been making the rounds talking up future projects which includes Deadpool, The Wolverine and a sequel to X-Men First Class.

First Lauren talks to CinemaBlend and TotalFilm about an R-rated Deadpool and director Tim Miller.

"If we make the movie it needs to be a rated R film. Otherwise you can’t make it. As for Tim, most of the advertisements for the games you play, everybody plays, he does those. He’s just…it would give it a very different look, a very different feel, which would be totally appropriate for Deadpool. Again, I don’t want people to feel like they’ve seen these movies before. Every movie has to have its own identity, and he will bring a whole different visual style to it. Very different visual style. And he’s funny! He fits right into that world. He fits right in. He’s perfect." 

"We have a few more things to do. And then it’s up to the studio to decide whether we’re going to go forward or not… But I’m pretty excited. We have a good script and a good director [Tim Miller].....Yes he was treated totally wrong in the Wolverine film and yes we will redeem him."
 
She also talked to CinemaBlend and HitFix about director James Mangold who recently landed the gig for The Wolverine. The film has been rumored to have been pushed back to a Spring/Summer 2012 shoot to work around Hugh Jackman's other films.

"I really liked Walk The Line and I really liked Girl Interrupted and I really liked 3:10 To Yuma. For me there’s three things that I look for. One thing is performance, because really it’s all about characters, even in action movies. Two is a look, you know, visual, because we have to have a style. Three is the ability to handle action and certainly with 3:10 To Yuma you could see that and he’s very experienced. I think we lucked out."

"[We want] to distinguish it from the other one… It’s much more of a standalone [movie]… I’m not sure when we’ll start. Maybe summer 2012 we’ll start shooting. It’s based on Hugh’s schedule, frankly. When he’s available, we’ll film. …He’s doing ‘Les Miserables’, and then he has to come and train for us. So it’s all dependent on him."

Talking to CraveOnline Donner also gives a couple updates on a First Class sequel. Along with her response via HomeMediaMagazine about bringing in Cyclops and Jean Grey for the next film.

"Well, if we were going to sequelize this and keep on going, we would stay in the next [time] period. Probably we’d go to the 70’s."

[on Cyclops and Jean for First Class 2]..."Maybe. Let's just say, I hope so."

"Yes. I mean that movie was a very strenuous movie so Matthew and everybody took some time off. Now we’re back and regrouping and kicking around some ideas. I think we just need to come up with a really good story and see where that leads us. If we could, great, if not, I think the story itself is what is most important."
 

Who Is Tim Miller & Why Should We Care He's Directing Deadpool?

It was just announced that visual effects specialist Tim Miller would be directing his first film with 20th Century Fox's Deadpool. Most people seemed to be shocked a first time director would be handling a film linked to the X-Men franchise. Well I've discovered a little something on Mr. Miller that fans of Deadpool might be interested in.

First, Tim has worked on some seriously fine looking comic book films which includes Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, X-Men and X-Men 2. Helping with the impressive visual effects that made some of these the stylish comic book films ever put on screen. He also worked on Daredevil while the costumes and acting was terrible the effects were solid as a rock.








Miller would also be a important part of Blur Studio an up and coming effects house which has been known for some impressive video game cinematics (Mass Effect 2, Halo, X-Men Legends 2, DC Universe, The Force Unleashed 2, Old Republic). If you've enjoyed a video game cinematic in the last five years they are likely the ones behind it. They've also worked on films like Avatar and the David Fincher produced animated film The Goon. They are also involved with Fincher's massive Heavy Metal project which is still in development with shorts being directed by James Cameron, Zack Snyder and Fincher as well. Having Blur Studio working on Deadpool's effects could be nothing but a positive in my opinion.

Fox Hires Director For Deadpool!

Deadline reports that 20th Century Fox and producer Lauren Shuler Donner have chosen a director for Deadpool. They've hired first time director Tim Miller with Ryan Reynolds still attached to star. Miller is an interesting choice as he is best known as a visual effects director working on comic book films such as X-Men 1-2 and Scott Pilgrim. It's not that terrible of an idea as the film would have a similar "look" as the first two X-Men films while being it's own thing. Neill Blomkamp had a similar background as Miller before making District 9 and working on the effects himself cutting down the post-production costs. Eventually making a 30-40 million dollar film look like it was done for $100-150 million. This could be a tactic used by Fox to make a large scale R-rated film like District 9 without spending the money they would on a PG-13 comic book film.

It's unknown when this could start production as Fox is still looking for a director to take over The Wolverine for Darren Aronofsky. I wouldn't be shocked to see Deadpool move forward sooner than expected with a script and director now in place. Ryan is also attached but not committed to R.I.P.D. which Zach Galifianakis just dropped out and is set for summer production start. I'd like to think Reynolds would be more committed to making Deadpool first as he's been involved with it since day one.

Lauren Shulder Donner Talks Deadpool, Will Be Faithful R-Rated Comedy & Renyolds Still In

X-Men producer Lauren Shulder Donner also talked to Empire about their spin-off Deadpool. She confirms that they are currently looking for a director. Also the film is an R-rated comedy that will be a complete reboot and could take shots at the fan-hated version seen in Wolverine. This confirms previous statements made by Daredevil director David Slade that Fox was looking for comedy directors to make Deadpool. Lauren gives the impression that the studio is willing to wait for Ryan Reynolds and he's very involved with the film's script.

"We're looking for a director, yes. He’s very involved, Ryan. He’s working with the writers on the screenplay and it is as much as it is ours....mindful of Reynolds' ever-growing logjam of work, added that the film would shoot in the next year or so."

"We’re either going to pretend that didn’t happen or mock it, which he could. It’s insane, it’s definitely comedy, but it’s an R script, it’s really irreverent and violent. Right away, we’re out of the X-Men world...I'm tellin' ya, it's true to the comic. You’ll see all of them. You’ll see Wade Wilson, the good-looking Ryan Reynolds! You’ll see Deadpool in his costume and you’ll see the cancer-scarred face."

James Gunn Open To Making A Marvel Film, Could It Be Deadpool?

LatinoReview was able to speak with James Gunn while he was promoting Super. They posed the question if Gunn would ever consider making a film based on a Marvel character.

"Yeah, I mean there's a lot of things that I would like to do and I've even talked to people about it. I've had discussions with Marvel, even from the beginning of the career. I remember being offered to write 'Fantastic Four' ten years ago or some that I didn't do. If something inspired me I would.


"A lot of things I'm attracted to may not be may not be the most popular superheroes in the world and so it's just a matter of finding the right project. But I would do it if it was something that inspired me. You never know, some morning I could wake up with an idea in my head for anything and it could be a western, a comedy, a superhero movie, a melodrama and that's what will take me over for that day.


"I don't think my next movie is going to be an ultra-low budget movie like 'Super,' but I don't think -- I love doing it, I'm happy I did it, but if I do it again for another year I think it might kill me. So I think I'm going to do something with a little bit of a bigger budget, more of an entertaining pop-show and that's what I plan on doing next."

The interesting part of this whole thing is that Fox had interest in him writing Fantastic Four. I would be inclined to believe he could be hinting at the Fantastic Four reboot. That project has yet to announce either a writer or direct and Gunn is a double package. I'd also be in the mind set if Fox is indeed looking for a comedy director to make Deadpool Gunn would be an excellent choice. There has also been talk of the studio making a film based on Taskmaster with Joe Carnahan (A-Team, Smokin' Aces) attached to direct. He's a super villain who has amazing photographic muscle memory and can mimic any fighting techniques just by witnessing them.

20th Century Fox has recently embraced more artistic directors for their superhero films. Hiring James Gunn for any of them would be a step in the right direction wether it's a reboot, new hero or a spin-off. There have been rumblings of Fox trying to have all their new Marvel films set in the same universe similar to what Marvel Studios has done with their superhero films.

5 Comedy Directors That Should Be Considered For Deadpool

Daredevil director David Slade recently tweeted that Fox is currently looking for "comedy directors" to make the Deadpool film. It's not surprising as the "merc with a mouth" is full of nothing but one liners and quick wit. While they had previously pursued Robert Rodriquez it's likely they're now looking for someone able to balance the high level of comedy with the extreme action of a comic book film. If Ryan Reynolds is committed to doing the film and making sure it's R-rated I have a few names in mind for Fox to consider.



DAVID GORDON GREEN: One of the only people connected with the Apatow crew that I believe could do this right. David's madness of fusing adrenaline fueled action with slapstick comedy was best shown in Pineapple Express. Your Highness looks like it could be just as crazy this time giving the director the chance to work with a bigger budget and special effects. If Fox wants a comic book film that we've never seen before he certainly could deliver one.



JAMES GUNN: On the same level of "what the fuck moments" that Gordon Green has James Gunn could be just as mad when it comes to bringing Deadpool to the screen. His films Slither and the upcoming Super are set in a surreal world that screams Deadpool. Another director who give us an exciting, violent and bizarre ride.



JODY HILL: Jody is best known for his amazing HBO series East Bound & Down along with his dark comedies Fist Foot Way and Observe & Report. His sense of smart quips and dark humor could be great for Deadpool. My only issue with Hill is that he hasn't had much experience with large scale action setups or special effects and could feel overwhelmed by the action scenes.



JOE CORNISH: Currently Joe Cornish is gaining more commercial writing gigs teaming up with Edgar Wright for the Spielberg/Peter Jackson Tintin trilogy along with Marvel's long in development Ant-Man. Edgar has enough on his plate with Baby Driver, Ant-Man and World's End so he's out of the running in my mind. Cornish on the other hand is getting a lot of buzz for his original film Attack The Block which won over a lot of critics over at SXSW this year. I have yet to see the film but if he's able to deliver a film on the cheap for Fox they would seriously consider him.



RUBEN FLEISCHER: The man behind the resurrection of America's love affair with zombies and more than likely helped AMC commit to making Walking Dead. He's currently working on post-production on 30 Minutes Or Less and has mentioned wanting to start filming Zombieland 2 in the near future. The obvious Zombieland connection to Deadpool screenwriters Paul Wernick and Rhett makes him a excellent choice as Ruben understands how to shoot their scripts properly while also keeping to a minimal budget.



WHO DO YOU THINK SHOULD DIRECT DEADPOOL??

Showreel For Rumored Deadpool Director Adam Berg

Adam Berg has been rumored to be in talks to direct Deadpool for 20th Century Fox. While I was unfamiliar with his work besides the amazing carousel bank robbery commercial he did. MotionBlur has posted Berg's showreel and it's beyond stunning. It reminds me of a mix between David Fincher, Guy Ritchie and Ruben Fleischer. While I've been upset Fox wasn't able to lock in Robert Rodriguez, Berg seems like a decent choice visually. 


Adam Berg Showreel September 2010 from Motion Blur on Vimeo.

Could Bryan Singer Direct X-Men 4, New Mutants Or Deadpool?

HeroComplex had an extensive interview with cast, director Matthew Vaughn and producer Bryan Singer from X-Men First Class. While they were doing damage control over the bad cast photo which leaked. Singer praised the new cast and is aiming to direct another film in the near future. Previously producer Lauren Shuler Donner confirmed Singer's interest in directing X4.

Singer had been attached to make First Class but ultimately had to give it over to Matthew Vaughn. So he could focus on his Warner Bros. production of Jack The Giant Killer. While it's still uncertain if First Class will be successful in the long run. It's doubtful Singer would make a sequel now that the prequel is very much a Matthew Vaughn thing.

Whatever fans think about Singer he is the reason we have the first two films. I believe that Bryan Singer is the only person that could fix all the problems X3 created. Even if X4 ends up the last film in the series a fourth film very well could be a way for both the director and Fox to make it up to the loyal fans. The only problem would be being able to wrangle Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Anna Paquin and Ellen Page back for the fourth film.

The other film could be New Mutants which Shuler Donner had confirmed to be in development along with X4 but hadn't been pitched to Fox. I'm sure if New Mutants had Singer attached it could go next. It would be an easy way to avoid the landmines left from X3.

Stephen Lang (Avatar, Conan) could take on the role of Cable who is the leader of the group and is one of the most popular characters in the X-Men universe. Lang caught wind of the fan casting and is up for it. I wouldn't doubt Fox would like to see the Avatar actor in a pivotal role in a new film.

The least likely of the bunch would be Deadpool but if you think about it could work. Singer would more than likely have to take on a film with an existing script and it's the only project in development that has a completed one. While having the likes of Robert Rodriguez or Quentin Tarantino direct are almost unlikely at this point.

Singer could bring something interesting to the Merc With A Mouth. Considering his experience in the world of thieves and mercenaries with The Usual Suspects. My only problem would be his ability to convey the humor that Deadpool spouts along with breaking the fourth wall. If they ever were going to make an X-Force film based on the more recent comics it would be another great project for him to direct.





Which Future X-Men Film Would You Like To See Singer Make? Should He Even Return To The Franchise He Helped Create? Leave Your Comments!

Adam Berg To Direct Deadpool?

24Frames reports that Swedish commercial and music video director Adam Berg is in talks to helm Deadpool. While Robert Rodriguez has been offered the film by Fox he's had to pass to focus on Spy Kids 4 and other projects.

Deadpool Details From New York Comic-Con

BleedingCool is reporting on some story and character details from the Deadpool film. We haven't heard much about the film's story or characters. It will be unknown until the film starts casting if these tidbits are real so I'll treat them as rumors for now. Hopefully this means if people are talking story it's closer to going into production. Robert Rodriguez has yet to sign the offer to direct and the film has yet to be greenlit.

They reveal a possible love interest which could be Vanessa Carlysle better known as Copycat. It's unknown if she'll even be mutant in the film. Her powers in the comics were shape-shifting like Mystique but is also able to mimic powers. I had assumed we would end up seeing Domino but I guess they could be saving her for future X-Men films.

Weapon-X will have a strong presence in the film characters like Wyre, Ajax, Sluggo and Garrison Kane will appear in the film. The site also assumes we'll see more members featured. I feel this will be one of our last glimpses of the Weapon-X program so they might as well use all the characters. It makes sense considering they didn't really explain the "true" origin of Wade Wilson to Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Now comes inclusion of an X-Men member. While I thought it would be Wolverine they say it will be Piotr Rasputin better known as Colossus. It's unknown if Daniel Cudmore who played Piotr twice will be returning to the role. Personally I think it's decent a hero to choose from. My assumption with both the inclusion of the Weapon-X program and Colossus we could be seeing Omega Red in the film. Of course there is also the chance that they're using him in X-Men First Class. He's one of the remaining X-Men villains who has yet to make the films.

Producer Lauren Shuler Donner told Empire some of the characters we should expect in film would be Blind Al, Weasel, along with villains like Black Tom and Slayback. BleedingCool confirms Blind Al and the inclusion of barman-come-mercenary dispatcher Patch.

Reynolds Talks Deadpool & James Gunn Should Direct

HeroComplex was able to sit down with Ryan Reynolds about his other comic book franchise in-the-making Deadpool. Previously it had been rumored Reynolds could leave the project to focus on other films and possibly be forced out by two Green Lantern sequels. The way Ryan talks about the character it's clear he's very committed to Deadpool and making sure it's faithful.

“It goes in such a different direction than a superhero movie usually goes. It’s a nasty piece of work. It’s just based in so much emotional filth, completely. It’s like ‘Barfly‘ if it were a superhero movie. It sort of treads into the world of an emotionally damaged person. I always say that Deadpool is a guy in a highly militarized shame spiral…. It’s so different than the superhero movies to date, it departs so far from that.”

“With Deadpool, it’s a lot like going to prison for the first day,” Reynolds said. “You got to walk up and hit the biggest guy you see to establish a bit of cred. With Deadpool, early on you have to establish that moral flexibility. There’s a gamble to it — you’re going to lose a few people right at the beginning but you take the gamble and know that eventually you’re going to win them back. You won’t lose the hard-core fans of the character, they already know who he is. We have to play to a broader audience than that. As an actor you have to be willing to do something like … back in Vancouver we used to call it a [nasty] burger. ’You gotta eat the [nasty] burger to get to the cookies.’ And yes, I want to write a cookbook about that…”

“The comics are very inconsistent in the writing,” Reynolds said. “All the different writers, different voices, but at the core of the character his heart is really interesting. He’s the funniest guy you’ll ever meet, too, and for me that’s exciting but it’s not as hard as capturing that moral flexibility, which is so important. He hasn’t really experienced the full spectrum of human emotion the way most people do.”


While there has been an offer sent out to Robert Rodriguez to direct. His busy schedule of Spy Kids 4 and possibly Sin City 2 afterwords it seems unlikely he'll be able to commit. So who should 20th Century Fox at look next? My vote has to go to James Gunn who is gathering some positive buzz for his superhero comedy Super. The film is being talked up as the next Kick-Ass which speaks highly for the film. Gunn previously landed on people's radar for his horror comedy Slither. I believe Gunn's sense of humor could fit perfectly into the world of the Merc With A Mouth.

Would Tarantino Step In To Direct Deadpool?

While it seems Robert Rodriguez's involvement with Deadpool seems to be questionable at this point as he starts production on his Spy Kids reboot. It's been long suggested that Quentin Tarantino has been on Ryan Renyold's wishlist of directors to helm the unconventional comic book film. Now if Rodriguez, who is an excellent choice in his own right isn't able to do it, could Quentin?


Knowing how Tarantino works he isn't likely to work on something without writing it himself. He also has his plate full of projects which he is currently scripting. The only way I could see this working is that if Fox promises to finance a bunch of his films and allowing him to tweak the script to his liking. Tarantino is a massive fan of comics referencing Superman, Fantastic Four, Silver Surfer and Howling Commandos in his films. While I've been doubting the level of commitment Fox has to their superhero characters. The fact they were able to hire scorned director Matthew Vaughn to take on X-Men First Class and having open discussions with Darren Aronofsky to direct Wolverine 2 shows they are aiming for talented directors. I believe the only person that could actually talk Quentin into doing it is Rodriguez himself. Robert's Troublemaker Studios should handle production no matter who directs. So I wouldn't be surprised if Robert made a pitch to his longtime friend to take up on the unique comic property.


One case to support it being a possiblity is that in 1997 Joel Silver handed Tarantino a script for Sgt. Rock which was written by David Webb Peoples (Blade Runner, 12 Monkeys, Unforgiven) in the hopes he would direct. He was so thrilled about the project he started casting the film before it was even greenlit. This proves if anything if he's excited enough for a project he's willing change his methods. It of course never happened but it's a glimmer of hope.

Robert Rodriguez Mulling Over Directing Deadpool

While Fox is trying to find directors for Wolverine 2 and Fantastic Four they are trying to lock in Robert Rodriguez for Deadpool. The prospect of the action junkie helming the off-the-world comic book film is exciting but it's not set in stone just yet. Deadline reports the comic project could conflict with his Spy Kids reboot. Hopefully if Machete is successful enough for the studio they'll end sweetening the deal to make sure he directs.

What Kind of Movie Should New Mutants/X-Force Be?

Now that X-Men First Class is starting up production and Wolverine 2 set to shoot in the winter. There is still one more promised X-Men project that hasn't begun serious development and that would be New Mutants/X-Force. First Class is opening up doors with it's 6o's set Bond style. So why not try to make X-Force an 80's style action film? While I do enjoy the original films and I'm now beyond excited for First Class due in part to Matthew Vaughn's involvement and it's amazing cast. I think moving away from the dry teen drama we saw in original films could help move the story and action to a better place. It could be interesting to see the studio take a grittier direction with their characters.

DIRECTORS:


While Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass) is the only confirmed/hired director at the moment. The fact 20 Century Fox is in talks with both Robert Rodriguez for Deadpool and David Slade (Hard Candy) for Wolverine 2, the next X-Men film could get another great director. My dream would be to see Zack Snyder direct since he was once attached for Wolverine but left to focus on other films. After watching the trailer for Sucker Punch he can make anything visually convincing so it could help the chances of use finally seeing the Sentinels in action. Considering Snyder's work relationship with Warner Bros. I think it might be difficult for another studio to hire him. He also is currently working on Xerxes which could be his next movie. Daniel Espinosa (Snabba Cash) is an interesting new director he was considered to direct First Class. I think Daniel is another great choice if Fox can get him since he is also in high demand to direct other projects.





STORYLINES:


I'm not that knowledgeable on the history of the X-Force but the majority of new issues seem to be better suited for film than the originals. What I'd like to see is Cable forming a side special-ops unit of the X-Men and is setup for rescues and liberation of captured mutants. It could make for the best use of the Sentinel saga along with the mutant work camps. I could live without Wolverine in the film but it would be nice to see him if only as a supporting character. It's difficult to say if we'll ever see Laura Kinney (X-23) in the films but this could be the right one for her. Just as long as they skip over the cloning it could work.


The other interesting aspect is crossovers. Deadpool is now an active member of the X-Force and could be featured or cameo in the movie. With Ryan's workload it seems unlikely there will be room for a Deadpool sequel anytime soon. A small role in X-Force could keep fans happy if Deadpool is successful. I'd also love to see the lineup involve known characters like Psylocke, Archangel, Domino, Majik, Warpath and Boom Boom.


CASTING THOUGHTS:


Stephen Lang (Avatar) as Nathan Summers (Cable)


Rebecca Hall (The Town, Prestige) as Elisabeth Braddock (Psylocke)


Cillian Murphy (Inception) as Archangel


Maggie Siff (Mad Men, Sons of Anarchy) as Neena Thurman (Domino)


Rudy Youngblood (Apocalypto) as James Proudstar (Warpath)


Lyndsy Fonseca (Kick-Ass) as Laura Kinney (X-23)


Brie Larson (Scott Pilgrim) as Tabitha Smith (Boom Boom)


Beau Garrett (Tron Legacy) as Illyana Rasputin (Magik)

Robert Rodriguez In Serious Talks To Direct Deadpool

LA Times reports Robert Rodriguez is in active/serious talks with Fox to direct Deadpool which will star Ryan Reynolds.

Fox Offers Deadpool To Robert Rodriguez

The Playlist (via Production Weekly) have another great tidbit of "what if" Marvel news. PW reports that 20th Century Fox has sent out an offer to Robert Rodriguez to direct the Deadpool movie. Ryan Reynolds is expected to start pre-production on the film as soon as he finishes shooting Green Lantern. It's been a pet project for the actor for years and has promised fans a faithful film. The studio came through hiring Zombieland writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick to pen the film's screenplay. Now if they hire Robert Rodriguez to direct fans should rejoice. I'm curious if this means the film will rated-R.


So why it Robert perfect for Deadpool? I've been hoping the director would come on board but besides my own wishful thinking here are some good pro-points. Sin City is most likely the biggest example of why he is perfect. The film is beyond faithful to the source material to the point of turning the film into a living comic book. It would be the best way to regain the trust of scorned DP fans. What about helming big over the top humor fueled action film? He's got that covered with his El Mariachi trilogy (El Mariachi, Desperado & Once Upon A Time In Mexico) which seems similar to the sense of humor in the comics. Even his new film Machete seems to be borrowing from his fantastic dark sense of humor. The film's budget is another issue while Fox seems likely to spend $100-200 million on both Wolverine 2 and X-Men First Class it's doubtful DP will get that kind of money. It's plausible that the DP's budget could end up in the $40-80 range which is common ground for Rodriguez. Filming and effects being done in house means he can work with small budgets.




Don't hold you're breath he'll take the job. Robert is known for talking up and starting up film projects he never ends up making. Sin City 2 is the perfect example of one of his most anticipated movies but has been stuck in limbo for years. There is also the issue of projects currently in development which include Spy Kids 4, Neverwracker, Red Sonja (producing) and his epic sounding Fire & Ice adaptation. Rodriguez recently was approached by Fox to direct Rise of The Apes which he declined. He had previously developed blockbuster films that didn't workout like Clash of The Titans, The Jetsons and even a remake of Barbarella which had costumes/sets ready to go. So just because an offer has gone out it doesn't mean he'll take it.


This sort of reminds of how Fox was able to wrangle Matthew Vaughn into directing X-Men First Class. They understand to be able to compete with Marvel Studios and DC Entertainment they're going to have hire comic genre-vets to make sure the films are successful. I'm expect they'll be able to come up with an attractive contract which might include future financing for Robert's original films. Unlike Vaughn, Robert has a constructive working relationship with Fox. He recently co-wrote and produced Predators and the studio is distributing his pet project Machete. Troublemaker Studios most likely would handle the film's production since their involvement in every Rodriguez project. Fans could be relieved that the special effects will be done properly not like the messy CGI in Wolverine.