Zazie Beetz (Atlanta) will join Ryan Reynolds in the superhero sequel Deadpool 2 as new lead character Domino, a mutant mercenary like Reynolds’ titular character. Reynolds announced the casting today in a cryptic photo that spelled out the actress’ name. In addition, Reynolds tweeted out fan-art of Beetz as Domino in a follow-up tweet.
Zazie Beetz Effect. pic.twitter.com/Kvtyk1aI7O
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) March 9, 2017
The roles of Domino and Cable, another new lead character, have been the talk of a long casting search (with creator Rob Liefeld calling the latter role the biggest in Hollywood). Deadpool writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick returned to script the sequel, which ran into some trouble when the original director Tim Miller dropped out over ye olde “creative differences,” supposedly between his vision and the vision of Reynolds, Reese, and Wernick. John Wick co-director David Leitch, fresh off his solo debut in next August’s period spy flick The Coldest City starring Charlize Theron and James McAvoy, quickly stepped in to helm the film, which is due to begin filming this summer.
Most of the cast of the first film is expected to return, with Reese and Wernick confirming at least Colossus (Stefan Kapcic) and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand) would reappear. Vanessa (Morena Baccarin), Weasel (T.J. Miller), and “Blind” Al (Leslie Uggams) likely as well. The long-awaited Cable casting announcement is up next.
Deadpool 2 remains unscheduled but an untitled Fox/Marvel film is a placeholder for the date March 2, 2018 (the same release corridor fellow R-rated superhero movie Logan occupies this year) making it the most likely current suspect.
Source: Ryan Reynolds
