In the weeks leading up toDeadpool’s release, mostbox officeanalysts predicted the superhero adventure would pull in between $40 million and $50 million in its opening weekend. Especially given the fact that it was an R-rated movie some weren’t sure could succeed. The Merc With the Mouth ended up proving everyone wrong, taking in a record-breaking $132.4 million during its opening weekend, before becoming the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time. It has a current worldwide take of $756.7 million. During a recent interview withDeadline, directorTim Millerrevealed that there was one note from 20th Century Fox that almost turnedDeadpoolinto a much different movie.
“The [studio] note that frightened me the most was, ‘We should make this linear.’ The story was always this fractured narrative, and to be honest, it’s a pretty simple story. To tell it linearly would not make that exciting of a movie.”
The director also added that he did end up cutting a linear narrative version of the movie to appease his bosses at 20th Century Fox. Thankfully, the studio ended up favoring the cut that’s currently in theaters, since it tested so high with audiences before the February 12 release. The director and producerSimon Kinbergalso made the slightly unconventional decision to shootDeadpoolin 2D, even though the now-legendarytest footagewas shot in 3D.
Shortly beforeDeadpoolhit theaters, 20th Century Fox gave thegreen lightforDeadpool 2, withDeadpoolwritersRhett ReeseandPaul Wernickreturning to write the script, andRyan Reynoldscoming back as theMerc With the Mouth. The end credits sequence forDeadpoolrevealed that the iconic comic book characterCablewill make his big screen debut in the sequel, butRyan Reynoldsjoked that he really wants to team up with another iconic character: Han Solo.
“I really do genuinely want to see a Deadpool and Han Solo team-up. I have a non-vocal commitment fromHarrison Ford- I read his astrological chart and it looks good for us.”
20th Century Fox hasn’t issued a release date forDeadpool 2quite yet, but a report surfaced last week that claimed the studio wants to start shooting the sequel as early as this fall, withRyan Reynolds' deal already locked up.Tim Miller, who made his directorial debut withDeadpool, is expected to return for the follow-up, but no other cast members have been confirmed aside fromRyan Reynolds. What do you think about the studio note that almost ruinedDeadpool?
