Deadline is reporting that Deadpool director Tim Miller is leaving the sequel over a series of creative differences with star Ryan Reynolds. Variety confirmed the news with its own source. Miller hadn’t signed a formal deal for the next film in Fox’s franchise, based on the Marvel comic, but he was reportedly working on the script and getting things moving for the planned 2018 release.
Update: According to The Wrap, the pair parted ways because Miller wanted the second film to be more stylized, while Reynolds (a producer on both films) wanted to keep the raunchy, fourth-wall-breaking comedy approach that made the first film such a success. Their conflict reportedly came to a head with the rumored casting of Kyle Chandler as Cable. Chandler was Miller’s choice, but Reynolds didn’t want him for the part, and the studio ended up siding with the star- partially because his renegotiated contract includes casting approval.
While Deadpool was definitely Reynolds’ project, Miller was also key in making the film such a massive success, leaking CGI test footage in 2014 that lit a fire under many fans. The film has gone on to gross over $780-million worldwide and recharged Reynolds’ career. Deadpool is currently the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time, and is said to be part of the inspiration for making Wolverine’s third solo film, Logan, into an R-rated film.
According to the report, Miller’s exit on Friday was amicable, and the director is jumping into another Fox project, Influx, based on the Daniel Suarez novel. We’ll keep you posted as we hear more.
[Deadline]
Updated with new details from The Wrap.
Update: Earlier version of the article incorrectly credited David Suarez as the author of Influx. His name is Daniel Suarez.