Back in June we reported that 20th Century Fox had approached Robert Rodriguez about directing the Deadpool movie they’re planning, which will see Ryan Reynolds once more taking on the character he played in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
As there hadn’t been anymore news since then, many had assumed that as usual with big studio assignments, Rodriguez had flirted with it, before stepping aside due to his dislike of making movies that he doesn’t have complete control over and with which he knows will suffer endless studio interference. However the LA Times suggests that not only is the idea of the Machete director taking on Deadpool alive and well, but he and Fox are now busy negotiating a deal for him to officially be the man behind the camera on the X-Men spin-off.
As yet, nothing’s been signed, but it’s looking like a strong possibility Rodriguez will come onboard (not that that means a huge amount, as he has a history of jumping on projects and then jumping right back off again). While many might be surprised by the fiercely independent Rodriguez boarding such a big studio project, the fact is in recent years his films have underperformed, and in an industry where you’re only a good as your last hit, he may be finding it more difficult to find funding (hence why his Red Sonja never got made) for the films he makes out at his Texas studio. Deadpool could be a good way to up his stock in Hollywood, with a character he loves and a studio he has a good working relationship with.