The first Deadpool movie had a scrappy, low-budget feel because it had no other option. No one expected the movie to succeed, and the movie’s creative team got a pleasant surprise when Ryan Reynolds’ risky bet paid off. Unfortunately, according to sources, that’s the reason why creative differences began to surface between Reynolds, the movie’s producer and star, and Tim Miller, the movie’s director.
The Wrap reports that, according to insiders familiar with the development of Deadpool 2, Ryan Reynolds enjoyed the “scrappy” feel of the first one and thought that the sequel should continue with that same vibe, even though the sequel could certainly demand a higher budget if they wanted one. Again, according to sources, Tim Miller wanted to go in a much more high-budget direction, more along the lines of other splashy superhero movies out today. After all, since Deadpool had been such a success, why not go for a more stylish, pricey sequel?
The pair couldn’t seem to find a way to meet in the middle. Tim Miller has left the project, and according to the insiders who spoke to The Wrap, it was because Miller wanted to make a movie that would’ve “cost three times as much as the original $58 million film.” An insider explained, “There were two totally different movies on the table, and one of them just wasn’t Deadpool.” Basically, Reynolds just didn’t think that a super-expensive blockbuster vibe was the right direction to go with Deadpool 2.
The creative dispute wasn’t just between Miller and Reynolds, but also, with Deadpool screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, who ultimately agreed with Reynolds’ take on the project. Seems as though Miller got outvoted by the rest of the creative team, who all wanted the next movie to stick to the same low-budget formula as the first movie.
It’s certainly interesting to hear that even though the team could have gotten way more investors in the project this time around, they’ve apparently chosen not to, instead continuing with the theme of setting Deadpool apart from other big-budget superhero fare. That might mean that Deadpool 2 will be able to take more creative risks as a result. Although I did think Deadpool had some problems, I thought the “scrappy,” alternative vibe was its strongest suit, and if anything, I had only wished the movie had gone further to subvert expectations. For example, the by-the-books ending felt too pat, to me, compared to how Deadpool story arcs are “supposed” to go. I would love to see Deadpool 2 take more risks with the character, like giving him a boyfriend, as Reynolds has said he’d like to do.
If Ryan Reynolds wants to continue to make the Deadpool franchise into something that looks and feels different, I’m for that. The high-budget superhero cinema scene is already a very crowded space, and Deadpool is different. It’s good to hear that the creative team plans to stick with what worked.
(via Geek Tyrant, image via Marvel Entertainment)
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