There are many superhero teams in the Marvel universe that are primarily mutant-filled, but if you're looking for a group that takes on evildoers using a more aggressive approach, you call the X-Force. Introduced in 1991, the X-Force has been a mainstay of the X-Men mythology, and for years there've been plans to feature the team in their own movie. Deadpool 2 is finally bringing the team together on the big screen, but as it turns out, the first Deadpool movie is the reason why the X-Force movie didn't happen sooner, as 20th Century Fox had to choose between that project or spotlighting the Merc with the Mouth first. According to Jeff Wadlow, the original X-Force screenwriter:
I wrote a draft and they really liked it. They just reached a critical moment, where they were deciding whether they were going to make Deadpool or X-Force. I've always loved Deadpool and I tried to rehabilitate him in my X-Force movie because, like the rest of the fans, I felt like they totally screwed it up in X-Men: Origins. I had actually been talking to Ryan Reynolds about playing him in my X-Force movie, but my X-Force movie was much more focused on Cable and the New Mutants becoming this paramilitary unit. So, Fox was trying to decide whether they going to do the Deadpool solo movie or my X-Force movie. Fortunately, they picked the Deadpool solo movie because it's great. Fortunately for the world, I should say, but unfortunately for me. But, I have no complaints about the process. I'm a huge fan of Ryan's and I loved the Deadpool solo movie. I'm super excited for Deadpool 2. It's a little bit of a bummer, but that's life in the big leagues.
The X-Force movie was first announced back in 2013, and Jeff Wadlow, whose credits include Cry_Wolf, Kick-Ass 2 and True Memoirs of an International Assassin, was the man Fox originally tasked with penning the script. One should also remember that during this time, while the Deadpool movie was still technically in development, there was no indication that it would be made anytime soon. Like most people, Wadlow was disappointed with how Wade Wilson was adapted in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and while the character wouldn't have been the central focus of X-Force, at least he could have finally been properly portrayed by Ryan Reynolds. However, in the summer of 2014, the animated Deadpool test footage leaked, and that finally got the ball rolling on making the Merc with the Mouth's standalone adventure become a reality, and it paid off big time for Fox. Released on February 12, 2016, Deadpool earned numerous positive reviews and made over $783 million worldwide off just a $58 million budget.
Jeff Wadlow is no longer working on the X-Force movie, but judging from his conversation with Collider, sounds like he's ultimately pleased with how thing turned out, even though that means we'll never see his vision for the militaristic superheroes. But not to worry, X-Force fans, the team has a bright cinematic future ahead of them. Deadpool 2 will see Wade Wilson forming the X-Force to help him stop Cable from killing a pyrokinetic mutant kid, though if they're following the comics closely, then eventually Cable will also join the team once their conflict has been resolved. As for the X-Force movie itself, Drew Goddard is currently attached to write and direct, while Simon Kinberg, Ryan Reynolds and Lauren Shuler Donner will produce.
Keep checking back with CinemaBlend for more news on the X-Force movie. You can catch Jeff Wadlow's latest movie, Truth or Dare, in theaters starting this Friday, April 13, and you can also find out what other movies are coming out this year by browsing through our 2018 release schedule.
