Reynolds Confirmed As Deadpool And will.i.am joins as Wraith Source: Variety
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (they need to change that title, and fast) has been adding cast members in a berserker frenzy this week – and today saw two more confirmed for the Marvel/Fox movie. One of them is a surprise, the other is confirmation of a rumour that’s been circulating for months.
As expected, and as we said yesterday (in the story to the right of this one), Ryan Reynolds will be signing on as Deadpool, the fast-talking, wise-cracking mutant mercenary with a healing factor, teleportation pack, array of weapons and larger array of one-liners. It’s a perfect role for Reynolds, and the hope seems to be that the character will spin-off into his own movie (if this movie is Laverne And Shirley, think of it as Joanie Loves Chachi… or, perhaps, don’t).
The surprise is the casting of Black Eyed Peas frontman, will.i.am, who will be taking on his first film role as John Wraith, another Weapon X-created mutant who can, unlike Deadpool, teleport under his own steam.
This would seem to indicate that the Gavin Hood-directed Wolverine will focus largely on the Weapon X portion of Logan’s (once again to be played by Hugh Jackman) life, pre X-Men. And we’re all for that.
The one note of caution we would sound is that, with the addition of Gambit, Deadpool, and Wraith to the already mentioned Sabretooth, Silver Fox and Blob, that the movie might lose its focus on the title character. But we’ll see – we’re sure Jackman, who’s also producing along with Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter and his producing partner, John Palermo, has things under control.
And hey, comic book fans, rejoice – at last we’re going to see Deadpool, Gambit and Sabretooth done right. What’s not to love? Oh yeah – the title. Well, there’s time enough to do something about that before its release next year.
L: jimoakley666
Hopefully Creed, Deadpool and Wraith will be part of Team X, Wolverine's pre-X-Men, pre-Weapon Ten, crew. And not have a huge part in the movie. If thats the case then we should expect the inclusion of Mavrick / Agent Zero and Mastodon soon. Although Deadpool wasn't on their team (he was sloppy seconds) and Wraith-man was their point man, not an operative.
ee. Toldya. Agent Zero cast. ... Read More
Will Deadpool wear his mask? cos his face is seriously screwed up.
He always describes his mask as his true face! The man is cool but fugly!! ... Read More
Reynolds can be all, "hey Wolvie, why don't you ever blink" and "Why don't you like me, is it because I am wiseass? But that is very funny" just like Blade 3. Which was great. Hooray. ... Read More
if its anything like the ORIGINAL wolverine comics
with abit of the style from the more, graphic, art farty issues that have been out.
it will do wolfy justice.
he is seriously over rated though, looking forward to see what jackman as producer will do to this classic though. ... Read More
hmmmm, i don t like reynolds. well, i havnt likedany of his movies that much. he does appear to be good for deadpool, i just hope that they remember he is actually a twisted violent badguy working with the goodguys as it were, not some go lucky onelining tool. i love hi8m so he better be good, same with gambit actually. as for the title, as has been said..... ... Read More
I agree that the title needs attention. Wolverine is a no nonsense, no frills, no bullshit character. That title is simply too unweildy and does not fit. Wolverine: Weapon X as somone suggested, is better if this is indeed the story thread they are pursuing. Gotta say it: what is wil.i.am doing in this? A guy who has neve acted before! The casting so far has been sublime Reynolds - (spot on), Huston, Schreiber. He'll be acted off the screen. The Dark Knight and Iron Man look set to raise the bar... Read More
L: Chris Hewitt
It is my opinion - and the opinion of several other Empire geeks - that the title is too cluttered, and there's no need to crowbar X-Men in there. Most people know who Wolverine is, and those who don't will know him by the time of the film's release. I intend to mount a campaign, starting here and now, to have the name changed to, simply, Wolverine.
As for Reynolds' casting, well, he's a star, and so you'd have to assume that Deadpool is either the second or third lead... Read More
L: Adrian
makes me laugh the way not a single comic book movie can be made without every single decision made on it lambasted to the Nth degree. no doubt if the number of characters were reduced, or the title actually shortened to just Wolberine, you lot'd still bitch, whine and moand, even though it'd be exactly what you'd asked (I use the word in its loosest possible sense) for.
I seem to remember a lot of whining about the X-Men suits too. What'd you prefer? Yellow spandex?
... Read More
