Deadpool 2 greenlit but Ryan Reynolds wants to prioritise an X-Force film

The 'Merc with a Mouth' will be back - even though he's not even here yet

Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool (Fox)

UPDATE: Although he may want to play the 'Merc with a Mouth' until he is made to retire, a sequel to Deadpool is not the priority, says Ryan Reynolds.

"In the future, I think, if we're doing a bunch more Deadpool movies, we're gonna really explore the X-Men a lot," he told Filmstarts, "And maybe X-Force. X-Force my priority. I really want to get that in."

Rumours surrounding an X-Force film have been swelling for a while now, with Kick Ass 2 writer Jeff Wadlow having reportedly penned a script.

ORIGINAL: With just days before Fox’s Deadpool reaches cinemas, the studio has reportedly already given the go-ahead on a sequel.

After resoundingly positive reviews from the critics, the writers of the first Deadpool, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, have been brought on to script a second film, insiders told The Hollywood Reporter.

In the current blockbuster climate of sequels-upon-sequels-upon-superhero franchises, the news should come as no real surprise. When you also take into consideration that Deadpool is expected to make upwards of $65 million in its debut weekend in the US on a reported budget of just under $60 million, it's even less so.

Director Tim Miller has yet to sign onto the film but is expected to in the coming weeks after being integral to getting the first film made, as is lead actor Ryan Reynolds.

Scribes Reese and Wernick are also thought to be returning as executive producers, with Fox wanting to keep the core creative team the same.

Unlike the current wave of superhero films, Deadpool is ‘Rated R’ (i.e. has a 15-Certificate), allowing the ‘Merc with a Mouth’ to use crass jokes, gore and sex. Read our reviews round-up here.