Ryan Reynolds says Deadpool 3 is in the works and will go in a "completely different direction" than the films before it. As of 2019, Reynolds has technically been playing the Deadpool character for a decade, going back to X-Men Origins: Wolverine. However, it wasn't until the Merc with a Mouth's solo movie in 2016 that Reynolds really got to put his personal stamp on the foul-mouthed, fast-healing, superhero with a heart of gold. He's since reprised the role in 2018's Deadpool 2 and last month's Once Upon a Deadpool (a PG-13 recut of the Deadpool sequel with added footage).

Despite their critical and box office success, the Deadpool movies are now facing an uncertain future. Disney is in the process of purchasing Fox - the studio behind all the X-Men films to date - and plans to fold properties like Deadpool into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, once the deal's been finalized. That leaves Deadpool 3 and the planned X-Force spinoff in a weird position, as it's a real possibly that neither film will happen and the franchise itself will be rebooted. Either way, Reynolds is already preparing for some big changes to the series.

Related: X-Force Will Release Before Deadpool 3 (If They Happen)

Speaking to Variety while promoting Once Upon a Deadpool's release in China, Reynolds claims Deadpool 3 is in development and "looking to go in a completely different direction". He adds "Often, they reboot or change a character maybe like four movies too late".

Whatever happens with Deadpool 3, it's encouraging to hear Reynolds wants to mix things up a little. Deadpool 2, while a success overall, wasn't as warmly received as the first movie and was criticized for rehashing jokes from its predecessor and making some dubious storytelling choices (most notably, "fridging" Deadpool's girlfriend Vanessa in its opening minutes before reviving her in an end-credits scene). By the sound of it, Reynolds and the series' writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick have taken note of these critiques and intend to stray further from the formula of the first Deadpool than its sequel did with Part 3. Of course, with the Disney-Fox deal looming over their heads, it's also possible Reynolds and his writing team are making some big changes in anticipation of Deadpool 3 becoming part of the same universe that Spider-Man, Black Panther, and many other PG-13 superhero franchises call home.

As for whether Deadpool 3 will actually happen - that's still up in the air for now. Disney CEO Bob Iger has indicated he's open to making more R-rated Deadpool movies, but that doesn't guarantee anything. There's even a chance the Merc with a Mouth character will be rebooted in the foreseeable future, though that feels unlikely given Reynolds' popularity in the role. However you cut it, the times they are a changin' and Deadpool 3 may turn out differently than expected for it.

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Source: Variety