An intriguing project that never saw the light of day was a standalone X-Force movie, to be helmed by director Jeff Wadlow (Kick-Ass 2). This film would have taken a daring approach by casting Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool not as the wisecracking hero but as the antagonist.
Wadlow's concept for the X-Force film was to present a grittier side of the mutant experience, contrasting with the more privileged upbringing of the X-Men. His script drew inspiration from the X-Men comics of the '90s, with a focus on younger mutants such as Cannonball, Boom-Boom, Domino, Rictor, and Feral.
This lineup starkly differed from the Deadpool 2 version of the X-Force, which featured older characters like Bedlam, Shatterstar, and Zeitgeist. Wadlow's vision placed the X-Force in a scenario reminiscent of the 1980s film Red Dawn, with the team on the run in West Texas.
The twist was Deadpool's role as a secondary antagonist, hired by an undisclosed main villain to pursue the X-Force, a nod to his villainous debut in the original comic run. Despite not being part of the X-Force, Deadpool's presence in the film was intended to be significant, described by Wadlow as a 'grand cameo' or 'supporting part.'
Ryan Reynolds, who had already brought Deadpool to life in the 2016 blockbuster, was reportedly enthusiastic about Wadlow's script. However, the X-Force movie was shelved following the success of Deadpool and the eventual introduction of the team in Deadpool 2.
Even as most X-Force members faced rapid deaths in the sequel, the standalone film concept endured until Disney's purchase of 20th Century Fox concluded it. The X-Force's status in the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to be uncertain, despite Reynolds' Deadpool's upcoming role in Deadpool & Wolverine.
While fans may never see Wadlow's vision come to fruition, the idea of a Deadpool-led X-Force film remains a fascinating 'what if' in the annals of superhero movie history. The proposed blend of youthful mutants, a villainous Deadpool, and a story rooted in comic lore offers a glimpse into an alternate path for these beloved characters.
As the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand, one can only wonder if elements of this unrealized project will ever be resurrected in future adaptations.
Deadpool & Deadpool 2 are currently available on Disney+.
