Ryan Reynolds has had a rough road in adapting comic book characters to the big screen. From Green Lantern to R.I.P.D., he has had the misfortune of getting cast into doomed productions. One such role that he has gotten the chance to portray, is that of Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool. Unfortunately it was in the ill-fated X-Men Origins: Wolverine, where almost every problem the film had originated on the page. The character was brought to life, but it was an extremely unfaithful adaptation. However that didn’t stop Reynolds’ passion for bringing the mercenary back to the big screen faithfully however.

A solo Deadpool movie, starring Reynolds had been in various stages of development for years. Numerous writers and directors have worked with the actor to bring the comic book assassin to big screen. However, due to numerous failures at the box-office in genre roles on the part of Reynolds and FOX Studios’ lack of understanding of the material, the project has never gotten the green light until today.

Why do so many directors and writers, including Deadpool’s creator Rob Liefield, advocate for Reynolds in the role?

 

Rarely have a comic book character and actor been so closely aligned. The synergy between the two goes even deeper due to a few trademarks of Deadpool’s personality: His sardonic sense of humor, quick wit, and willingness to break the fourth wall between the comic and the reader. These are traits that Reynolds is known for as an actor as well. If that isn’t enough, Wade Wilson will even tell you himself…

During the various stages of development, Reynold’s created a short film as a proof of concept. It was a full motion-capture performance featuring the first professional look at the mercenary in live action. At this year’s San Diego Comic Con, the video was leaked on the internet. It features Deadpool conducting a hit in his trademark fashion. Check it out here:

The short film is more than successful at showing how the character could thrive on the big screen. His whimsy and antics are actually a bit of fresh air in an era full of angst filled anti-heroes. When fanboys got a look at it, the response was overwhelmingly positive. However Reynolds has been tight-lipped about the project until a recent interview with the Niagra Falls Review:

Reynolds says it’s unfortunate that the footage was leaked.

“But who cares,” he then adds, happily. “The movie has been in a state of limbo for a while. There was such an overpowering reaction to the footage, you sort of feel like, ‘Oh, so we weren’t crazy for our reasons for loving this character, for loving this role.’ It’s interesting to see the power of the Internet. It’s awe-inspiring, actually. And it’s neat that Twitter and Facebook and Instagram can move mountains when used in the right way.”

His regret over the leak explains his loud silence when it happened. However, the short film put an even more intense light on the project. Aside from Reynold’s previous disappointments in genre material at the box office, the property is a tough sell to studios. However that isn’t stopping Fox from getting the franchise started. Today it’s been reported by THR that the Deadpool movie has been given a release date of February 12th, 2016. FOX is seizing the opportunity to make a film that could expand the boundaries of the genre. There is a precedent with other R-rated comic book properties, such as Blade or Kick-Ass, both with violent or irreverent tones and they both spawned franchises. It will be interesting to see what lies in the future for the Merc with a Mouth.

Deadpool will hit theaters February 12th, 2016.

Do you think Reynolds should be included in the Deadpool movie? Or is it too tough of a sell? Let us know on the comment boards,  and !

Source: CBM, THR