Tim Miller Breaks His Silence on Exit From ‘Deadpool 2’

It came as a major shock when news broke that director Tim Miller would be unfortunately exiting Deadpool 2 over creative differences with Ryan Reynolds. Now after two months since the sequel to 20^th Century Fox’s smash hit superhero action comedy which became the highest grossing R-rated film all time was left without a director, Miller has come forth to offer his side of the story. The director was a guest on CG Garage Thursday night and offered his insight into his untimely exit from the project:

“I just want to say one thing to the geek audience out there, because it’s important to me what the geeks and nerds of the world think because they are my brothers and sisters. I didn’t want to make some stylized movie that was 3 times the budget. If you read the internet — who cares, really? But for those of you who do, I wanted to make the same kind of movie that we made before because I think that’s the right movie to make for the character. So don’t believe what you read on the internet.”

When Miller exited Deadpool 2, reports cited that the creative differences Miller was having with Reynolds were over Miller’s desire to cast Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights, Bloodline) in the film as Cable, however. Miller says that wasn’t the case:

“I wanted to do the same thing [as the first movie]. Kyle Chandler was not going to be Cable. All this stuff that I read kind of kills me.”

Reynolds was recently named GQ’s Man of the Year and during an interview with the magazine stated that once the film got to the production phase things got even more difficult than it already had been for Reynolds (who had been championing the project for over a decade). Reynolds said here were some “vaguely intense fights that escalated quickly” during the post-production process but Miller doesn’t think those arguments were anything out of the ordinary:

“Even when some people go, “The movie was really hard to make.” The movie was a joy to make. I think you see it on screen. We all had such a good time. We had a few arguments in post, but nothing more than usual. The crew was so great, everybody was going to come back and we were going to have such a good time and the idea that it was a difficult movie…It wasn’t, it was a joy, and it was the best experience of my life.”

Creative people are very passionate people with strong personalities and the people working in Hollywood are some of the most creative people on the planet. Screaming matches are to be expected at any phase of a project whether it’s development, principal photography or post-production. More times than not, a better idea is often found as a result of a disagreement. Artists who collaborate have to challenge each other so that the final outcome is the best possible outcome there could be.

Miller’s exit is starting to become a little he said, she said, but one thing is for certain. Miller left Deadpool 2 on good terms with 20^th Century Fox. When Miller exited the project, he jumped ship over to Fox’s Influx, a tech-thriller based on the novel by David Suarez. The story follows an man who invents a device that can reflect gravity. Instead of receiving acclaim for his innovation, his lab is locked down by a shadow organization, the Bureau of Technology Control, which prevents technological advances from making its way into the public.

You can watch Miller’s full interview on the 100^th episode of CG Garage here.

SOURCE: CG GARAGE

Ryan Reynolds Opens Up About David Leitch Directing ‘Deadpool 2’

It came as a major shock when Tim Miller exited Deadpool 2 over creative differences with Ryan Reynolds. With production set to begin this spring in order to meet a January 2018 release date, Fox had no time to waste finding a replacement director. The studio landed on David Leitch. Not only does Leitch have the action chops required to take on a superhero film a la John Wick and also Captain America: Civil War for which he served as a co-director on the film’s second unit, he also has experience working directly in the X-Men franchise at Fox as an action coordinator on X-Men Origins: Wolverine as well as directing the second unit on The Wolverine.

While speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Reynolds opened up about Leitch coming on board to helm the sequel to what is the highest grossing Rated-R film of all time:

“Everbody was just a fan of his work. He’s just a guy who’s so muscular with his action. He also really understands those Deadpool sensibilities and where we need to take the franchise from here. And I love John Wick. One of the things that David Leitch does that very few filmmakers can do these days is they can make a movie on an ultra tight minimal budget look like it was shot for 10-15 times what it cost.” 

Deadpool didn’t just have comedy and action, it had style. Which is exactly what Leitch brings to the table. Not only that, with Leitch in the mix, the sequel has the potential to be a more thrilling follow-up to the merc with a mouth’s first outing. But the big question with Deadpool 2, after the first feature grossed truckloads of cash, winning over the executives at Fox, was whether or not the sequel would get a bigger budget.

In the same interview, Producer Simon Kinberg told EW that in order to hold on to the magic of the first film, the sequel needs to not go the route of other franchise blockbusters and up the ante but rather stay small and true to the original flick:

“The goal for us when we sat down and started talking about it was it needs to be as provocative and startling as the first film which means it can’t just be a continuation of the first film. It has tonally and stylistically be as fresh and original. That’s a big challenge especially because they had 10 years to gestate on the first movie and we don’t have that kind of time on the second movie. That’s the biggest mandate going into on the second film: to not make it bigger. We have to resist the temptation to make it bigger in scale and scope, which is normally what you do when you have a surprise hit movie. But actually stay true to the tenets of it’s the tone and the style and the humor that make it so special — it’s not the explosions and the special effects.”

Kinberg’s words are refreshing. Deadpool 2 could have easily become just another comic book movie with Deadpool trying to stop some epic disaster but instead, it will go against that grain. One of the most impressive things about the first film was how incredible the film managed to look with an estimated budget of $58 million. With Miller out, Deadpool 2 needed a director who could achieve that same scale while still keeping it small and intimate and that’s exactly why Reynolds said Leitch was chosen to direct the film:

“Everybody was just a fan of his work. He’s just a guy who’s so muscular with his action. He also really understands those Deadpool sensibilities and where we need to take the franchise from here. And I love John Wick. One of the things that David Leitch does that very few filmmakers can do these days is they can make a movie on an ultra tight minimal budget look like it was shot for 10-15 times what it cost.”

Deadpool 2 is set to hit theaters on January 12, 2018. But Fox isn’t stopping there. The studio is already developing a third feature with so that if the franchise goes as planned, Deadpool will be joined by the X-Force team in Deadpool 3.

SOURCE: EW

David Leitch Confirmed to Direct ‘Deadpool 2’

Last month director Tim Miller’s exited Deadpool 2 due to creative differences with actor Ryan Reynolds. Just days after reports emerged that John Wick co-director David Leitch was at the top of a shortlist for potential replacements to helm the sequel to the highest grossing Rated-R film of all time. While no offers had been officially made, Deadline’s sources claimed Leitch was likely to succeed Miller.

It turns out those claims were accurate. The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed Leitch has officially signed on to direct Deadpool 2. Leich is no stranger to the world of comic book movies and already has a history with Fox and Wade Wilson. Leich was the action coordinator on X-Men Origins: Wolverine, as well as the second unit director for The Wolverine. Along with his John Wick co-director Chad Stahelski, the two directed the second unit for this year’s Captain America: Civil War which featured some of the film’s most breathtaking actions sequences.

With Leitch in the director’s chair, Deadpool 2 could be a more stylish and thrilling follow-up to the action-comedy. The sequel now has a chance of staying on track with the original timeline for production which has principal photography beginning this spring to in order to make it’s January 12, 2018 release date.

SOURCE: THR

Ryan Reynolds Responds to Tim Miller’s Exit from ‘Deadpool 2’

Actor Ryan Reynolds has had quite the year. After realizing his 11-year dream with the release of Deadpool, the comedic superhero outing became the highest grossing R-Rated film of all time. Now Reynolds has been named GQ’s 2016 Man of the Year.

Reynolds has stayed out of the spotlight since the news of director Tim Miller’s exit from Deadpool 2 broke. Inside sources cited the reason for his exit as creative differences, suggesting that Reynolds clashed with the director on his choice for the casting of Cable with actor Kyle Chandler. Reynolds wasn’t having it leading it to the departure of Miller from the sequel.

In an interview with GQ, Reynolds offered a very classy reaction to the unfortunate loss of Miller:

All I can really add is that I’m sad to see him off the film. Tim’s brilliant and nobody worked harder on Deadpool than he did.

But when discussing the challenges of the filmmaking process behind Deadpool, Reynolds offered further insight for what may have contributed to Miller’s exit from the sequel.

Making the movie was very, very difficult. It was the most passionate group of individuals I’ve ever worked with in my life. And for whatever reason, that mercurial crazy burgoo of people is what made this thing work so well, not just because I had this vision and I saw it this way and it had to be this way. It worked because we all had that feeling. But there were vaguely scary fights in the post-production process that escalated quickly. Luckily, everybody’s grown up and at the end of the day enjoys and loves each other.I know when I need to exert control, and I know when I need to let go of it. I’m not gonna go and sit with Tim Miller and say, “The visual effects of Deadpool need to be done this way.” The man is a visual-effects wizard. But there are character and tone things that I know really well. And I’ve also been with this thing the longest out of anybody, aside from the guys that wrote the comics. Eleven years I’ve been trying to get this Sisyphus rock up the hill, and it kept rolling back on top of me. So I’m gonna be all the fuck over it from the moment it starts to the moment it finishes.

Fox has yet to sign a new director to helm the next outing with Deadpool but that isn’t stopping them from moving full steam ahead on development of the franchise. According to The Hollywood Reporter, if all goes well, the X-Force team will be featured alongside the merc with a mouth in the inevitable Deadpool 3.

Mashable reported John Wick Co-director David Leich is currently at the top of a shortlist as the frontrunner to helm Deadpool 2 along with Drew Goddard (The Cabin in the Woods) and television director Magnus Martens (Agents of Shield, Luke Cage).

Leich already has a history with Fox and Wade Wilson as he was the action coordinator on X-Men Origins: Wolverine, as well as the second unit director for The Wolverine, so it would make sense for Leich to land the gig being that he presents the least amount of risk for the studio.

Deadpool 2 is currently slated for a January 12, 2018 release date but it seems likely it’s going to be pushed back by a few months. The production was set to get underway in early 2018 but until a director is signed, things will remain up in the air.

‘Deadpool 3’ Will Have X-Force

The sequel to Deadpool, the highest grossing Rated-R film is currently in flux after Tim Miller’s unfortunate exit due to creative differences on the project, however. That is not stopping Fox from moving full steam ahead with the development of the franchise.

An X-Force film has been in development hell for quite some time now. But it seems Fox finally has a plan to realize the dreams of fans of the more aggressive X-Men team. According to The Hollywood Reporter, if all goes well, which it should, the X-Force team will be featured alongside the merc with a mouth in the inevitable Deadpool 3.

At this point, there’s no way of telling when all of this will come to fruition. Deadpool 2 is currently slated for a January 12, 2018 release date but it seems likely it’s going to be pushed back by a few months. The production was set to get underway in early 2018 but until a director is signed, things will remain up in the air.

SOURCE: THR

‘John Wick’ Co-Director May Direct ‘Deadpool 2’ (Updated)

With Tim Miller amicably exiting Deadpool 2, shifting his focus to Fox’s Influx, the studio is wasting no time finding a replacement to helm the sequel to this year’s smash hit Deadpool, the highest grossing Rated-R film of all time.

Mashable reports John Wick Co-director David Leich is the current frontrunner in talks to lead the merc with a mouth into his second outing. Leich already has a history with Fox and Wade Wilson as he was the action coordinator on X-Men Origins: Wolverine, as well as the second unit director for The Wolverine. Along with his John Wick co-director Chad Stahelski, the two also directed the second unit for this year’s Captain America: Civil War which featured some of the film’s most breathtaking actions sequences.

With Ryan Reynolds being given more creative control for the sequel, and Leich in the directing chair, it seems like the two could be a perfect fit for what could be a more stylish and thrilling follow-up to the action-comedy, however. Take this all with a grain as no deal has actually been made with Leich and according to Mashable’s source, several other directors are still in the running.

UPDATE: Deadline reports two other directors who are also in talks to take over the directing responsibilities for Miller in Deadpool 2 which includes Drew Goddard and Magnus Martens.

Goddard, most-known for being hired to direct the Sinister Six spin-off of the now cancelled The Amazing Spider-Man franchise at Sony also penned the script for The Martian, directed The Cabin in The Woods, and executive produced both seasons of Marvel’s Daredevil on Netflix.

Martens is a relative newcomer who’s directing credits include episodes of Marvel’s Agents of Shield as well as Luke Cage on Netflix.

At this point, no deal has been made, however. Fox will be looking to fill the role fast if they plan to keep the films production on schedule. Even with Goddard and Martens now reported to be in the running — according to Deadlines sources — Leitch is still at the top of the shortlist to helm the project.

Deadpool 2 is currently looking to start filming this spring, slated for release on January 12, 2018.

SOURCES: MASHABLE, DEADLINE

Deadpool Fans Unite for Change…and Quentin Tarantino?

After the rather drama-free departure of Tim Miller from ‘Deadpool 2’ Friday, it’s obvious there’s an empty seat that needs to be filled on this satire-saturated feature film. Fox has no doubt been mining for the perfect successor for the fan admired director. Some fan’s however, have decided to actively take matters into their own rapidly typing hands.

Sunday on Change.org, a petition-organizing site for the masses, fans assembled to gather votes to have directing tour de force Quentin Tarantino take to the set for our beloved merc-with-a-mouth. Carl Champion Jr., the creator of the petition is quite confident in the success that having the Academy Award winning Tarantino on the project would bring:

“If there was ever a chance to see Tarantino do a project almost guaranteed to make a billion dollars, this is it. We got a great taste of what this could be like in Kill Bill, but imagine having a guy like Tarantino write dialogue for The Merc with the Mouth! It would be so glorious. Join me!”

Having Tarantino’s spin on our favorite fourth wall-breaking badass would no doubt be something to see, but whether Fox takes the sway of potentially 2500 max dedicated Deadpool supporters is extremely unlikely. The sound of the cash registers at the box office is far too deafening for the clicking of keyboards to be heard over, and it’s the producer’s call on the creative end most of the time.

Thus far, with only 554 votes left to reach the petition goal, at least some of us agree with Champion Jr. Personally, I love Tarantino’s body of work, but I’m not feeling the feels about him potentially taking the directorial reins of the project. I’d rather see Tarantino do his own thing on his own projects, where he so often shines in full effect. With Deadpool having such an ardent protector and producer in star Ryan Reynolds, who’s vision of the character is so razor-focused it pushes any occluding visions completely out of the way, the next director will no doubt be a handpicked accompaniment to his dyed in the sites dedication. 

SOURCES: CHANGE.ORG, CBR.COM

‘Deadpool 2’ Drama: Ami-Cable Split?

Director Tim Miller parted ways with the rest of his former collaborators on the ‘Deadpool 2’ movie Friday, with the term ‘creative differences’ used as the core cause of his exodus.

According to The Wrap, it seems that the film’s leading actor and producer Ryan Reynolds, who renegotiated his deal with Fox in the time since the first Deadpool           installment to include casting and “other creative controls,” had a different vision in a few key areas; the casting of long-time fan favorite Cable was possibly the main cause of the lack of resolution between the two.  It seems that Miller was exploring the option of casting actor Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights, Bloodline), and Reynolds was just not having it.

Any actor chosen for the role would ideally have some sort of chemistry with Cable’s ally with benefits, Domino (currently casting with a shortlist in tow), but there are still a lot of variables to mull over in that dilemma. I think Kyle Chandler is an incredible actor, but do I see him as Cable, the time-tumbling prodigal Summers son? Not really. I’m more on Reynolds’ side there. I’ve heard actor Stephen Lang‘s name being fervishly tossed around as a candidate, but I’m not sure how I feel about that quite yet, either. I’m sure we’ll get a lot of great contenders including him for the role as I’d love to see it done right. Crossing my fingers, and feeling confident putting my faith in Mr. Reynolds, as usual.

SOURCES: THE WRAP, SCREENRANT

‘Deadpool 2’: Tim Miller Bows Out

Creative differences should be on the radar of pretty much any writing team as that thing you say when there’s nothing else to say, and listed as ‘that other silent killer.’ According to Deadline, Director Tim Miller has amicably stepped away from the upcoming ‘Deadpool 2,’ due to these aforementioned ‘creative differences’ between him and the film’s star and producer, Ryan Reynolds. This news no doubt will make fans of the first Deadpool outing writhe in their collective seats a little (myself included), as the tone and delivery of the film’s cinematic feel and action was perhaps just eerily glorious.

Miller has been re-delegated by Fox to’Influx’ based off the David Suarez novel that will feature a Mark Bombek script, and is slated for a 2018 release.

Having been with Deadpool posse Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese,  and Paul Wernick since his 2011, it’s sad to see Miller go, but the days of future forward look promising for all those involved.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Ryan Reynolds’ “Very Special” Relationship with Deadpool

When I think of truly championing a project, I’d like to envision putting myself between my main character, and anyone that could compromise the integrity of his or her original voice. I’d love to think I would negotiate fiendishly to defend the authenticity of the character’s honor. Their likes and dislikes would be categorized. I’d be ready to dive into the trenches for them, for as long as it might take. Actor Ryan Reynolds has been such a champion for our beloved merc-with-a-mouth, Deadpool for the better part of a decade, and it hasn’t been an easy romp in the park.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Mr. Reynolds spoke about his casual to intimate relationship with the character, who’s R-Rated lifestyle hadn’t always been the ideal reel deal for unconvinced studio execs:

“Deadpool is probably the most unpolished superhero out there, and it gave us this almost unfair advantage. We used this opportunity over and over because we had a character that is a total misfit and f—ing rascal. I can channel this guy in a way I just can’t seem to channel anything else. When it comes to Deadpool’s sensibility, and certainly his sense of humor, I feel like we were born on the same end of the spectrum.”

After a bit of test footage shot by director Tim Miller was leaked to the hungry jaws of the internet, Deadpool was green lit with shocking speed, and no one was more satisfied with that outcome than Reynolds himself. With a polite $60 million dollar budget as fashioned by Fox, he and fellow writers Rhett Reese, and Paul Wernick delivered an enormously successful, honest-to-merc version of the saucy, ‘tude toting Deadpool, and now look forward to the next chapter of his story as ‘Deadpool 2’ is currently casting and set for a 2017 release.

“There’s no one like him. He has a mercenary way of looking at things, and there’s a humor and darkness to his personality that allows you to take him to places that no other superhero character could enter. It’s a dream to be able to take on this role and push the envelope.”

SOURCE: THR, OBSERVER CULTURE