Ryan Reynolds Labels X-Force A “Priority” After Deadpool Success

We’re now within touching distance of Tim Miller’s foul-mouthed, true-to-form rendition of the Merc With a Mouth – and we can hardly wait. Set for release later this week in North America, the first wave of Deadpool reviews have been rather exceptional, with only minor gripes directed at the relatively weak story underpinning Ryan Reynolds’ standalone debut as the fast-talking anti-hero.

But what of the actor’s future beyond Deadpool? Reynolds has stated in the past that he’s keen to don the crimson red suit once again for a potential sequel, but there’s also been mooted talk of developing an R-rated version of X-Force, and that’s something the actor touched base on during a recent interview.

Speaking with Film Upstarts (via ComicBook.com) Reynolds was confident that the reception to Deadpool could open the door to more adult-oriented films of this nature, before labelling X-Force as his own personal priority.

“In the future I think, if we’re doing a bunch more Deadpool movies, we’re really going to explore the X-Men a lot, and maybe X-Force. X-Force is really my priority. I really want to get that in.”

There’s been fleeting signs of progress, too. Back in December, concept art surfaced that suggested Fox was at least open to the idea, while the addition of Colossus in Deadpool (and possibly Cable in the inevitable sequel) could be considered as laying the groundwork for an eventual X-Force movie. Besides, if Ryan Reynolds almost single-handedly pushed for the Merc With a Mouth to get his own film, there’s no telling what’s in store now that the formula has been proven a success.

Of course, critical reception is one thing, and for 20th Century Fox the decision to possibly go ahead with another X-Men spinoff or not will likely become clearer once the early box office numbers begin coming through in the following weeks.

Deadpool is set to be dragged kicking and screaming into theaters on February 12. It blew us away, and you can get the jump on Tim Miller’s R-rated standalone via our glowing review.