Long before Deadpool 2 started shooting across parts of Canada, the likes of Simon Kinberg and other 20th Century Fox executives were busy teasing the advent of an R-rated X-Force movie featuring such iconic anti-heroes as Cable (Josh Brolin) and, potentially, Psylocke (Olivia Munn).
Back then, Kinberg and Co. were quick to point out that Deadpool 2 and the oncoming X-Force ensemble pic will launch as two separate beasts, which tells us that the Merc With a Mouth will still be the focal point of the David Leitch-directed sequel, and that’s despite the increase in personnel.
Ever since Fox made things official, the Powers That Be have tapped Brolin (Cable), Zazie Beetz (Domino) and Julian Dennison (?) – not to mention the returning T.J. Miller (Weasel), Brianna Hildebrand (Negasonic Teenage Warhead), Karan Soni (Dopinder), Leslie Uggams (Blind Al), and Morena Baccarin (Vanessa) – to bring together an enviable, all-star lineup. And yes, Deadpool 2 also heralds the second coming of Colossus.
Voiced by Russian actor Stefan Kapicic, one might assume that both Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead will be quietly pushed toward the sidelines to accommodate the sequel’s massive ensemble, but at least according to Kapicic, the opposite is true; Colossus will actually enjoy an expanded role in Deadpool 2.
[Colossus] didn’t have time at all in the X-Men movies and he’s one of the iconic characters. He needed that space, and thank God [Director] Tim Miller and Ryan and Fox decided to give him a spot, which will continue to grow. That’s the thing I can say … the sequel will answer many questions, which people are asking right now. Because all the questions I can see on the net are answered in the sequel.
Fresh off Atomic Blonde, David Leitch was selected to replace the outgoing Tim Miller earlier this year, and further in the interview, Kapicic showered praise on Miller’s successor:
The way he is working with me, how to bring more of Colossus is unbelievable. He just relaxes you and is so intelligent and is a visionary. Which you can see through his movies.
Deadpool 2 is expected to hit theaters on June 1st, 2018. Similar to New Mutants and X-Men: Dark Phoenix, the Merc With a Mouth was conspicuous by his absence from SDCC, though all signs point to Fox unveiling new footage at NYCC come October.
