Although the trailers for DEADPOOL looked like an awful lot of fun, I was still quite surprised by just how successful it became once it finally hit theaters. With a sequel on the way (but not without a few setbacks) under the direction of David Leitch (JOHN WICK), I'll likely not make that mistake for the second time. Ryan Reynolds recently chatted with Variety about all things DEADPOOL, including how this whole crazy ride kicked off when the DEADPOOL test-footage was mysteriously leaked online by someone involved in the production.
"When the leaked footage got around the internet, it created this enormous groundswell. I credit Twitter users, Facebook users, and Instagram users for getting this movie made.” As to who actually leaked the footage, Reynolds wouldn't say, but said that it was either Tim Miller, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, or himself. "One of us did it. We all sort of said at the beginning, ‘Someone should leak it. Someone should leak it’…but I’m 70 percent sure it wasn’t me."
Although DEADPOOL concluded with Wade Wilson still happily in love with Vanessa (Morena Baccarin), Reynolds isn't about to rule out a possible boyfriend for Marvel's first pansexual superhero.
What love is to Deadpool may not be what love is to Batman or someone else. I think that could be played up more. He’s an outsider in every way, shape, and form.
DEADPOOL co-writer Rhett Reese added that "most comic book heroes have been heterosexual or homosexual. We find that interesting and groundbreaking. I hope it can evolve into something a little more." However, Reynolds also added that he wants to remain faithful to the "canon we nurtured and created," which includes Deadpool's love for Vanessa. "Deadpool isn’t in love with Vanessa just because she’s a woman. He’s in love with Vanessa because he loves her,” says Reynolds. It seems likely that the DEADPOOL sequel will explore more of their relationship, but as for the future, anything's possible.
Speaking of the future, Ryan Reynolds has already sketched out where the franchise could go after the upcoming sequel, and one of the ideas he's kicking around is a Wolverine/Deadpool team-up film. Unfortunately the upcoming LOGAN has been heavily reported as Hugh Jackman's final film as the character, but Reynolds isn't giving up hope that he can lure Jackman back one more time. "I have no idea if I can change his mind," said Reynolds. "It’s the audience: I would exclusively exploit that relationship to get Hugh back for another one." As for Jackman, he's isn't saying no just yet as he can "totally see how that's the perfect fit," but admits that the "timing may be wrong."
DEADPOOL 2 is set for a January 2, 2018 release.