It’s safe to say that Deadpool slayed cinema audiences and critics alike with its outrageous humour, fantastically choreographed action sequences and on-the-button writing. Already, rumours are flying that Deadpool 2 may start filming as early as autumn this year! Apparently, Fox do not want their audiences to forget about their hot new property too soon. If Fox have learned anything from the success of their fabulous first foray into the world of Wade Wilson, it’s that staying true to the comics will pay off in spades.
We already know that Wade’s erstwhile frenemy Cable will be making a substantial appearance in the new film, but what else could Fox pull from their bag of tricks to make this next movie even more awesome than the first? I think it’s safe to assume that there should be plenty more easter eggs, fanservice and black humour, but what about the big picture stuff? The stuff that makes Deadpool what fans love! Stuff like…
6. Deadpool’s Teleporter
See that thingy on Deadpool’s chest? That’s the teleporter
Over the years, Wade has had plenty of gizmos, doodads and gadgets; but few are as iconic as his teleporter. This awesome belt/harness doohickey has gotten him into (and out of) plenty of scrapes in his time. Now to be fair, this isn’t an item that exists constantly in the comics, but it is one that fans from way back know on sight and of which they have fond memories. This entry ties in nicely with Cable’s confirmed appearance in Deadpool 2, as Wade’s use of the teleporter is linked intrinsically to his relationship with Cable, which started during the Messiah Complex stoyline, which would also be a great plot for the movie, by the way. This could lead to some fantastic fight scenes and also a really useful tool to progress the plot. That, and it just looks really, really sweet!
5. Domino and X-Force
The original line-up of Liefeld’s X-Force
Deadpool’s first appearance in New Mutants #98 is the first time we see him cross paths with Cable and Domino, who then went on to be senior members of X-Force. X-Force have had plenty of run-ins with Wade in the past, which could provide plenty of potential plot threads and characters to expand the film beyond its predecessors’ limited scope. Domino, in particular, would be a welcome addition with her striking appearance and interesting mutant ability (manipulating probabilities to make things happen).
X-Force also has a pretty big roster of characters from which to choose in casting; including Warpath, Feral and Boom Boom from the classic era, and more recently Wolverine, Bishop and Archangel. Personally, I’d like to see the Rob Liefeld-era X-Force, in keeping with Deadpool’s early appearances, but I’m a little more of a traditionalist. Domino is also my choice because of the next entry…
4. Vanessa Carlysle as Copycat
Copycat, obviously not looking much like Morena Baccarin right here…
Eerybody knows by now that Vanessa Carlysle, Deadpool’s girlfriend, appeared in the first film. What some newcomers may not know is that in the comics, Vanessa Carlysle is also the shape-shifting mutant known as Copycat. In a smart twist, Domino’s first appearance in New Mutants #98 is actually Copycat masquerading as Domino. Two birds, one stone perhaps, and a convenient big reveal? It feels like a good way to put a surprising spin on two characters in one fell swoop!
Other than the frankly very cool possibility of a character bait-and-switch let’s face it, shape-shifters are always a draw at the cinema; Mystique is a firm favourite in the X-Men series. While there may be some cries of “Copycat” from certain quarters, doesn’t that just make this one big, fourth-wall-breaking meta-joke? Plus, Wade and Vanessa’s romance is, for all its faults, still one of the most engaging and entertaining to appear in comic-book movies for a long time.
3. Wolverine
This is just one idea for what could happen. Maybe they could hang out and do each others’ makeup?
Given how much stick Hugh Jackman came in for in the first movie, having Wade’s fellow Weapon X test subject, fellow Canadian and everybody’s favourite X-Man show up in the movie seems like not only a recipe for plenty of filthy celluloid lucre but also for an explosive fight scene or two. Judging by the fan reaction when Wolvie was teased in the latest X-Men: Apocalypse trailer, it would seem like an almost catastrophic error not to have him at least appear for one scene.
This gives the writers acres of space for more callback gags to X-Men Origins: Wolverine, like for example “Hey Logan, remember that time we fought when I had my mouth stitched shut and I had blades in my arms and optic blasts and teleporting powers? No? Me neither!”. It doesn’t have to be exactly that, obviously, but that one IS free, writer guys! And that’s why I’m not making millions writing screenplays for Fox!
2. Another hilarious opening sequence
Not pictured: “God’s Perfect Idiot” credit
Before I saw the first movie, I was told by a friend that the opening sequence was, by itself, entirely worth the entry fee. I would be lying if I said that I thought that assessment was wrong. Both as a demonstration of the prowess of director Tim Miller‘s VFX company, Blur Studios, and as an introduction to the character and movie, those first few minutes were hilarious bliss. My face and ribs hurt from so much laughing. The blend of self-referential humour and sight gags was heaven to me. What I’m basically saying is “More of this please”. I’m not about to dictate a specific scene with which to do it, but this needs to happen! It could be the comic-book equivalent of the James Bond opening credits scenes.
1. Deadpool recognising Stan Lee in his cameo
Come on Fox, give us what we want!
No Marvel character movie is complete without a cameo from Stan Lee, and no Deadpool movie is complete without fourth wall breaking craziness. This final thing that I want from Deadpool 2 is one that has been floating around the internet since at least May of 2015: Deadpool recognising Stan Lee as Stan Lee and pointing it out. As soon as I read that, I fell in love with the idea. And then, when February came around and knocked my socks off with the first movie, the one thing that didn’t refresh me the way I wanted to be refreshed was the cameo. Fox now have a big opportunity to repair my broken heart (And everyone else’s hearts, obviously!) by making it happen in Deadpool 2. But let’s face it, as meta-humour goes, this has to be near the top of the list of gags that will break the internet.
So, these are the six things that I, as a big Deadpool fan, would love to see in Deadpool 2. I dug deep into the Deadpool archives and tried to pick the things that would make my inner fanboy squeal with excitement. Of course, if you’re reading this then there’s a good chance that you’re all fans too, so we want to hear what you want from Tim Miller and Co.’s next outing for the Merc with the Mouth. Did I miss anything? Do you disagree with my suggestions? Sound off in the comments or send us your thoughts on Twitter!