May 6 2009 X-Men Begets Wolverine Begets Deadpool

Deadpool, Marvel Comics' "merc with a mouth," who some may know better as Ryan Reynolds in a tank top (see X-Men Origins: Wolverine, web-slingers), is getting his long-awaited shot at a solo film. Variety has the stoy:

Twentieth Century Fox has begun development on "Deadpool," an "X-Men" spinoff that will be crafted as a star vehicle for Ryan Reynolds, who played the character in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."

The character is one of the most popular in Marvel Comics' X-Men universe. Deadpool is Wade Wilson, a mercenary who, dying of cancer, submits himself to the Weapon X genetic alteration experiment and emerges as an indestructible semi-sane anti-hero. Reynolds seemed destined to play the character. In one reference in the Marvel Comics, Deadpool is described as a mix between "a Shar Pei and Ryan Reynolds."

In one of the "Easter egg" endings of "Wolverine," Deadpool is seen rising from the rubble and whispering "Shhh" to audiences.

Sounds like Fox is ready to deliver another chapter in their rapidly-declining mutant franchise that will make you say, "Only the casting was anywhere near acceptable."

Even with the after-the-credits hint at a true-to-character, fourth-wall-breaking Deadpool, I just can't see them making a film as self-aware as it needs to be. Particularly because a really well-written Deadpool would open the film by immediately acknowledging and apologizing for participating in Wolverine.