After years of being stuck in development hell, Deadpool 3 is finally gaining steam. Not only are Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman returning to the X-Men fold, but a new cast member has signed on for the sequel. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Matthew Macfadyen (Succession) has signed on in an undisclosed role. For now, all anyone can do is helplessly speculate as to who he could be playing. Rather importantly though, the movie finally appears to be moving right along.
Macfadyen is known best for his role on HBO’s hit series Succession, which is coming to an end after its current fourth season. Fortunately, he’s not going to be out of work for long as he’s joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the first two Deadpool films took place in Fox’s X-Men universe, it has been confirmed that the third entry will be part of the MCU. Phase 4 and Phase 5 have been all about the multiverse, and that’s surely what is making this possible.
Plot details for the sequel are currently being kept under wraps. We do know that Jackamn will be reprising his role as Wolverine though for the first time since 2017’s Logan. The actor initially said that movie would be his final time in the role. However, Reynolds managed to convince him to change his mind. That paved the way for the sequel to finally get moving.
Shawn Levy (Free Guy) is directing the film. Tim Miller directed the original, with David Leitch helming 2018’s Deadpool 2. Levy has worked with Reynolds several times previously, including on last year’s Netflix film The Adam Project. Though they weren’t originally involved, original screenwriters Rhet Reese and Paul Wernick are penning the latest entry in the franchise. Additionally, it will be rated R in a first for the MCU.
The first two Deadpool films were incredibly successful. The first movie broke box office records on its way to $781 million worldwide, all against a mere $58 million budget. The sequel was similarly successful, earning $786 million. Even with its larger $100 million budget, it was a major hit. Fox had plans for another sequel and an X-Force spin-off. However, those plans were ultimately scrapped after Disney’s acquisition of Fox went through in 2019.
Deadpool 3 is set to hit theaters on November 8, 2024.
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