Ryan Reynolds Seeks Major 'Deadpool 2' Payday; Joins Samuel L. Jackson In 'Hitman's Bodyguard'

If we look at every major cinematic franchise, they're anchored by one major star. For the MCU, it's Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man. For 20th Century Fox, that has been Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, but with the actor hanging it up after The Wolverine 3, there's a need to pass the torch. Clearly that mantle is going to be passed to Ryan Reynolds, whose Deadpool (which you should be pre-ordering now) has already earned more than any X-Men movie, including those led by Jackman. Fox is so eager for more Deadpool that they've green lit the sequel, but they're going to have to cough up some major chimichangas to bring all of the key pieces back. 

In a new THR piece, they say Reynolds is looking for a major pay hike for Deadpool 2, which should come as a surprise to absolutely no one. His agents are reported negotiating a deal now that would see a significant raise from the $2M he earned on the last one, although he could get more if the film hits $800M worldwide. While director Tim Miller was called "an overpaid tool" in the film's opening credits, he was paid a fairly standard $250K (oh the agony!!!) and will also be looking for an increase if he is to come back. Of all the pieces he's probably the most replaceable. Writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick are confirmed and working on the screenplay. 

With a little time before the sequel actually shoots, Reynolds has already lined up his first post-Deadpool project. According to Deadline, he'll star in Hitman's Bodyguard, which we first heard about four years ago when Pierre Morel (Taken) was attached. The project has undergone some major shifts since then, with Jeff Wadlow (Kick-Ass 2) on board to direct a cast that includes Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman, Elodie Yung, and Salma Hayek. The action flick stars Reynolds as  "protection agent who is forced to escort to the Hague a hitman awaiting his chance to testify against a war criminal and ex-head of state of an Eastern European country." Filming begins in April, meaning Reynolds isn't getting away from the world of hitmen and assassins any time soon.