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Deadpool 2: Ryan Reynolds wants John Wick director David Leitch to helm film

Tim Miller recently left the project

Jack Shepherd
Friday 28 October 2016 14:53 BST
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Earlier this month, Deadpool fans were left shocked after director Tim Miller announced his departure from the film’s sequel.

Along with Ryan Reynolds and writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, Miller was fundamental in getting the X-Men spin-off made, reportedly leaking the infamous test footage that got fans behind the project.

Already, though, Reynolds has seemingly found a replacement. According to a report by Mashable, John Wick director David Leitch is frontrunner to direct the sequel.

The publication details how Reynolds’ agency, VME, is pushing to get someone from their roster on board the project, Leitch fitting the bill precisely.

Funnily enough, the direct has previously worked with Reynolds’ Merc with a Mouth before, acting as the action coordinator on the critically panned X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Leitch has also worked on other Marvel films, acting as second-unit director on Captain Marvel: Civil War, and doing stunt work in the 2003 film Daredevil.

Meanwhile, insiders recently revealed what exactly happened that led to Miller’to depart Deadpool 2. According to a report, soaring budgets and conflicting visions were at the centre of the disagreement, Miller wanting the sequel to be a flashy, mega-budget superhero film, while Reynolds, Reese and Wernick believing wanting to keep things scrappy, raunchy and inexpensive.

“There were two totally different movies on the table, and one of them just wasn’t Deadpool,” one insider told the publication, referring to Miller’s vision.

Deadpool, which was released earlier this year, had a budget of $58 million, significantly less than the likes of Batman v Superman and Captain America: Civil War, yet it still grossed over $780 million worldwide.

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Miller’s sequel would have reportedly cost up to three times what the beloved original cost, something that was not compatible with the other three creative’s ideas. Fox, Reynolds and Miller have yet to comment on the situation.

After the initial news broke, fans started a petition asking Quentin Tarantino to direct the sequel instead of Miller. Those looking for their next taste of Fox’s Marvel universe should also check out the new trailer for Logan - AKA Wolverine 3 - featuring an elderly looking Hugh Jackman.

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