We’re probably in the minority here, but the character of Deadpool in the execrable “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” was easily our least favorite (which says a lot considering Will.I.Am was also in the nonsensical action picture). And we actually think Ryan Reynolds is an underrated actor who will go on to do some interesting work if afforded the chance, but he was godawful as the one-note (zero-note) Deadpool.
Still, the fans listen and the studios unfortunately spend waaaay too much time listening to the fans (see all of ‘Wolverine,’ see the Leonard Nimoy conceit which threatens to ruin the otherwise very strong “Star Trek” prequel; we fully enjoy and endorse this Empire article that argues why studios should just completely give up on the comic book store gastropods fans).
Anyhow, a “Deadpool” spin-off has apparently been officially confirmed. There’s just no accounting for taste (the way the character comes back at the end of “Wolverine” had us rolling in our seats).
In other related Marvel news, this time from properties Marvel Studios actually owns (20th Century Fox ruins owns Wolverine and the X-Men franchise), chief Kevin Feige has given some minor updates on the “The Avengers” and “Thor” projects.
On the ‘Avengers,’ apparently comic-book screenwriter du jour Zack Penn is still onboard (there was some speculation he wrote a draft a long time ago that could be rendered obsolete by the further additions of Marvel films). “[Penn’s] spending a lot of his time looking into what we’re doing with Iron Man, Thor and Captain America, seeing how we’re tying it all together. And he’s beginning to outline the script now – he’ll be doing that over the summer.”
There’s been a lot of casting rumors for the Kenneth Branagh-directed “Thor” so far and apparently casting is close and should be announced forthwith.
“We’re looking to cast Loki and Odin soon, and the main female role,” Feig said. Hmm, right in line with the rumors. Does that mean we’ll see Natalie Portman, Josh Hartnett and any number of relatively unknown actors cast as principals in the film?
Branagh recently said that “Thor” would shoot in January 2010 and that seems to be in line with Feige’s thinking.
And we’ll also hopefully have lockdown shortly, gearing towards the beginning of production, which will be early next year. So I think there will be a lot of announcements between now and then. But [director Kenneth] Branagh’s here, we’re prepping, and he’s put together some spectacular animatics already for our first action scene. We’re digging into the second and third now, and we are just embarking on a rewrite of the draft.”
No doubt scaling down the version that was said to be more than 300 pages long. “Thor” is currently scheduled for release June 17, 2011. “The Avengers” is slated as of right now for May 4, 2012. Hopefully “Deadpool” is one of those projects that never gets off the grounds. Visions of “Elektra” are giving us nightmarish flasbacks.
Lastly, Marvel has posted megabucks earnings for this first quarter, so everything seems to be turning up roses over there as of right now.