X-Force is set to make its big screen debut next month as Ryan Reynolds’ Merc with a Mouth assembles his mercenary buddies in Deadpool 2, paving the way for their very own X-Force movie from writer-director Drew Goddard.
However, Fox did intend on unleashing X-Force much sooner, tapping Kick-Ass 2 helmer Jeff Wadlow to write and direct, only for the project to be put on hold when the original Deadpool test footage leaked online, prompting Fox to green light Wade Wilson’s solo movie.
During an interview with Collider to promote his new movie Truth or Dare [read our review here], Wadlow has been chatting about what he had planned for X-Force had Fox not decided to go down a different route.
“I wrote a draft and they really liked it. They just reached a critical moment, where they were deciding whether they were going to make Deadpool or X-Force. I’ve always loved Deadpool and I tried to rehabilitate him in my X-Force movie because, like the rest of the fans, I felt like they totally screwed it up in X-Men Origins.
“I had actually been talking to Ryan Reynolds about playing him in my X-Force movie, but my X-Force movie was much more focused on Cable and the New Mutants becoming this paramilitary unit. So, Fox was trying to decide whether they going to do the Deadpool solo movie or my X-Force movie.
“Fortunately, they picked the Deadpool solo movie because it’s great. Fortunately for the world, I should say, but unfortunately for me. But, I have no complaints about the process. I’m a huge fan of Ryan’s and I loved the Deadpool solo movie. I’m super excited for Deadpool 2. It’s a little bit of a bummer, but that’s life in the big leagues.”
Wadlow went on to reveal how he pitched the movie to Fox, and the tone he would have went for had he received the green light:
“When I pitched for it, I said, ‘If X-Men is about the mutants that get to go to private school, I want to make a movie about the mutants that go to public school. They’re the kids that don’t have a jet swooping down to help them, with Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart. What’s it like when you don’t have those guys helping you out and you’re forced to figure out who you are in this world?’”
SEE ALSO: Fox’s X-Force movie will reportedly start shooting in October
After surviving a near fatal bovine attack, a disfigured cafeteria chef (Wade Wilson) struggles to fulfill his dream of becoming Mayberry’s hottest bartender while also learning to cope with his lost sense of taste. Searching to regain his spice for life, as well as a flux capacitor, Wade must battle ninjas, the yakuza, and a pack of sexually aggressive canines, as he journeys around the world to discover the importance of family, friendship, and flavor – finding a new taste for adventure and earning the coveted coffee mug title of World’s Best Lover.
Deadpool 2 sees David Leitch (John Wick) directing a cast that includes returning stars Ryan Reynolds (Wade Wilson), Morena Baccarin (Vanessa), T.J. Miller (Weasel), Brianna Hildebrand (Negasonic Teenage Warhead), Stefan Kapicic (Colossus), Leslie Uggams (Blind Al) and Karan Soni (Dopinder) alongside new additions Zazie Beetz (Atlanta) as Domino, Josh Brolin (Avengers: Infinity War) as Cable, Jack Kesy (The Strain) as the film’s villain, and Shioli Kutsuna (The Outsider), Eddie Marsan (Atomic Blonde), Julian Dennison (Hunt for the Wilderpeople) and Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) in as-yet-unrevealed roles. It is set for release on May 18th 2018.