The search is on to find a director for Deadpool 2 after Tim Miller left the project over creative differences with star Ryan Reynolds. With production set to begin in 2017 for an unknown release date, Reynolds and Fox are looking for a director who can share their vision for a film that focuses more on the comedy, which is what made the first film so great. Now there is word that John Wick director David Leitch is being considered to direct the sequel. More on the story below.

Sources tell Mashable that “Reynolds’ agency, WME, has been pushing the star (and the studio) to hire one of its own clients, and Leitch is at the top of that list, though one individual told Mashable that several other directors remain in the mix.” However, the team is also looking at other directors who are also signed with that agency, but no specific names were given.

Leitch has worked with Reynolds before; in fact, they worked together on X-Men Origins: The Wolverine, the very same film that introduced Deadpool to the big screen. So there is some chemistry there. Also, Leitch’s work on John Wick, which can be considered to be a cult hit, is the kind of thing Reynolds and Fox are looking for when it comes to Deadpool 2.

Leitch’s work began when he was performing stunts in films such as Blade, Daredevil, and Fight Club – where he was a stunt double for Brad Pitt. Other credits include 300 and The Matrix sequels. He would eventually land a job as second-unit director for films like The Wolverine, Jurassic World, and Captain America: Civil War. He made his directorial debut with John Wick, but won’t be returning for its sequel, which he left in the hands of his John Wick co-director Chad Stahelski.

While Leitch may be attached to direct Chris Pratt in Cowboy Ninja Viking, the film is still in the early stages of development, and won’t begin ready to shoot anytime soon. Which is perfect for Deadpool 2, as previously mentioned, the sequel is rumored to begin production sometime next year and is in the midst of finding an actress to play the key role of Domino.

Leitch is definitely an interesting choice as director. While films like John Wick and The Wolverine had great action sequences, they also had heart. So with Reynolds and screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick looking for someone who can make the sequel in the same vein as the first but not lose the action fun entirely, I’d say Leitch deserves to be one of the frontrunners. We’ll keep you posted on who ends up getting the job.

[Source: Mashable]