A few weeks ago, it was announced that Deadppol director Tim Miller would not return for the sequel due to creative differences. As someone who had been part of the years-long process towards getting Wade Wilson's solo movie to the big screen, Miller's departure came as a surprise to many, but nonetheless, 20th Century Fox moved quickly to find someone to take his spot for Deadpool 2. Several candidates had been reported on, like Drew Goddard and Magnus Martens, but now it's official: John Wick director David Leitch has been brought aboard as Miller's replacement.
THR dropped the news that Leitch has closed a deal to direct Deadpool 2, after being named as the frontrunner for the job days after Miller's departure. The article mentioned that Leitch was one of the directors Ryan Reynolds met with, and he was offered the job soon after. As a side note, it was also mentioned that Fox is already forming plans for Deadpool 3, but will find a separate filmmaker to tackle that project.
Given how Deadpool was equal parts action and comedy, David Leitch is one of the few directors out there who is more than qualified to helm Deadpool 2 to boost the former. After spending years as an actor, stuntman and stunt coordinator on various blockbusters, Leitch kicked off a career as a second unit director with 2003's In Hell, and a decade later, he snagged the main director's chair for himself overseeing John Wick. Leitch also directed next year's The Coldest City, but it's safe to say that Deadpool 2 is his biggest project yet. It also goes to show just how much of a balancing act the Deadpool film creative team is. Writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, along with Ryan Reynolds, have the comedy covered, but they like to have to have the directors be experts in other areas. Tim Miller covered that for the first movie as a visual effects wizard, and for Deadpool 2, hiring Leitch at minimum guarantees moviegoers will see some amazing action sequences.
No plot details for Deadpool 2 have been announced yet, but the story will see the Merc with the Mouth crossing paths with Cable and Domino, both grudging partners of his from the comics. Tim Miller isn't the only Deadpool 2 departure Fox has to account for, as shortly after Miller left, Junkie XL exited as the composer. Fortunately, a position like that can be filled later on, while David Leitch needed to be brought on as soon as possible so that the sequel could move ahead on schedule.
Deadpool 2 is expected to hit theaters sometime in 2018. Let us know what you think of David Leitch taking the reins of this sequel in the comments below.
