Variety and Deadline have confirmed that Ryan Reynolds is closing a deal to star in Fox-Marvel’s Deadpool, their long-in-development X-Men spin-off.
Reynolds announced the news by posting an image Thursday of the Deadpool character on his Twitter account (see below).
This is one of the few times that fan outcry was heard by studio brass, who moved quickly after this absolutely bonkers pitch video leaked earlier this year.
Tim Miller is directing the superhero film with Lauren Shuler Donner and Marvel’s Kevin Feige producing.
The talkative mercenary character, also known as Wade Wilson, was created by artist Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza. He first appeared in print in 1991.
Reynolds looks like the perfect fit for the character. He’s got the energy and the asshole attitude necessary to do the character justice. If approached right we might have the first comic book movie with a fully disposable lead. Deadpool can literally blow himself up just to vanquish a room full of bad dudes. The real struggle will be finding a tone that will lend credence to the character since he often breaks the fourth wall. We need a Ferris Buellerian approach to the character that has insane action on the level of something like The Raid. Will we get it? Looks like we’ll find out in February 2016.
Uh… It’s Chimichanga Time. pic.twitter.com/ZlknW4HOtj
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 4, 2014