Expect “A Lot Of Characters” To Feature In Deadpool 2, Sequel Still On Course To Shoot Later This Year

Echoing Ryan Reynolds’ recent take on the status of Deadpool 2 (spoilers: there’s no set start date as yet), screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick have told Deadline that they’re still in the process of finalizing the sequel’s script.

But don’t fret, it’s “really coalescing,” and barring a major creative setback – like, say, a director making for the exit door – Deadpool 2 should be in active production before the year’s end. It’s a solo movie first and foremost, according to Reese and Wernick, but the Merc With a Mouth will be joined by a whole host of characters when Deadpool 2 eventually swings into theaters. Touching base on both Deadpool‘s landmark success – $783 million at the worldwide box office – and the future, here’s what the co-writers told Deadline.

“Yeah, it’ll be a solo movie. It’ll be populated with a lot of characters, but it is still Deadpool’s movie, this next one. We’re pushing forward very hard. I think by every account we will shoot it this year, and we’re on our multiple draft now. It’s taken different twists and turns, but it’s really coalescing, and we’re very, very excited. We’re a little nervous, because now we feel like we have to live up to the first movie, but at the same time, we have to have faith, and we have an extreme passion still, and as long as we have passion still, and it’s not a mercenary, venal play, which we don’t think this is, I think we’ll be in good shape.”

For an R-rated superhero movie, Deadpool‘s historic performance at the box office can’t be overstated. It’ll no doubt give Reese and Wernick some creative leeway – not that they needed the invitation – when it comes to crafting the sequel’s story, but both are reportedly keen to ensure the focus remains on Ryan Reynolds’ foul-mouthed mercenary. John Wick co-director David Leitch will call the shots from behind the lens, and though there’s still no exact date to report, at the very least fans can take solace in the fact that Deadpool 2 is beginning to come together.

Its predecessor, meanwhile, continues to whip up a storm on this year’s awards circuit, collecting nominations from the Critics’ Choice Awards, the Golden Globes, along with nods from both the WGAs and PGAs.