Deadpool fans got pretty hyped last May when it was announced that FX was developing an R-Rated animated series starring the Merc with a Mouth with Donald Glover signed on as showrunner. Over the next little while, we heard more and more about the project and it truly sounded like it was going to be the perfect companion to the anti-hero’s successful movie franchise. But then, back in March, we received the shocking news that Glover had parted ways with the show due to – that old chestnut – “creative differences.”
According to the network’s boss, John Landgraf, who was speaking to Deadline over the weekend, the reason for the cancellation of the series rests with Marvel, not FX. In fact, Landgraf was perfectly happy with the version put forward by Glover and his creative partner (and brother) Stephen, but the House of Ideas had the final say on how their character’s depicted and so that was that.
Still, all hope may not be lost, as even despite the cancellation, Landgraf still believes Marvel will one day get around to making the project, as he told Deadline the following:
“I think that Marvel will revive it because they have the rights. They own the IP and they have the rights to do an animated adult series based on any of the X-Men characters, and based on Deadpool specifically.”
Though Marvel’s yet to announce anything official on the matter, the FX CEO is probably right here. I mean, the Merc with a Mouth is an insanely profitable property and given how well his cinematic outings do, it’d be foolish not to move forward with a TV show. Especially a mature, animated one, which could get no doubt get pretty wild and raunchy.
Still, even if a television series never materializes, it’s not all bad news, as the future certainly looks bright for Deadpool. With an X-Force movie on the horizon and a potential threequel for Ryan Reynolds’ beloved anti-hero sounding likely, too, there’s much to get excited about and fans can rest easy knowing that Wade Wilson isn’t going anywhere.
