Fox was so sure of the success of Deadpool that the sequel was greenlit before the original film even hit theaters. However, those making the movie must have had an inkling, as they already had the post-credits scene filmed telling us that the sequel would happen, and Cable would be along for the ride. While the two characters are a mainstay of the comic book world, that doesn’t explain why the filmmakers were so keen to bring Cable into Deadpool’s world so soon. But ultimately, Cable needed to be there because Deadpool needs somebody to play off of.
The thing that set Deadpool apart from its comic book counterparts, other than the excessive violence, was the comedy. Deadpool is certainly the funniest comic book hero we’ve seen in the modern landscape, and every good comedian needs a straight man to work with. Deadpool director Tim Miller recently told IGN that this is the role that Cable will be filling when he appears in Deadpool 2.
Why he was put together with Deadpool… it’s the same reason we had Colossus; he’s a straight man. And I think Deadpool needs a straight man. Cable is the ultimate, archetypal, silent, strong and cynical warrior, which Deadpool is not.
Like Marvel’s version of The Odd Couple, Deadpool and Cable will work well together because they are so different. Deadpool is wild and frenetic while Cable is strong, silent, and focused. The reason that some of the best comedy ever created came from duos is because the straight man is a vital component. Sometimes, the hilarious moments don’t come from the joke itself, but from the reaction to the joke. This is the role the straight man plays. Of course, sometimes the straight man’s humor can steal the show (see: Tommy Lee Jones in Men in Black).
Of course, knowing the importance that Cable will play only makes the casting of the character that much more vital. From the way Miller talks about the role, it doesn’t sound like any decisions have been made about who will take the part. Avatar’s Stephen Lang has already made it clear that he’d like the job. Original Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld has said that his dream choice for the part would be Mad Men actor Jon Hamm. We’re still silently hoping they go for the radical option and actually cast Keira Knightley as they joked. Yeah, it would be different, but Knightley can be just as bad ass, and think of all the gender bending fourth-wall jokes Ryan Reynolds can make.
Who would you like to see play Cable in Deadpool 2? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
