Following the exit of Tim Miller from Deadpool 2 over creative differences with star Ryan Reynolds, John Wick director David Leitch may be taking over the reins. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the director has emerged as the frontrunner, and met with Reynolds on Thursday.
Miller’s exit from the film was a surprise to many. Deadpool was his feature debut, and he was considered to be a key component in the film’s success, alongside Reynolds and writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. THR suggests that differences between Miller and Reynolds emerged during the first film, but were smoothed over. When it came time to begin work on the second installment, those same differences reemerged.
Leitch’s name first popped up on Monday, but the studio was apparently looking at several candidates for the job. THR cautions that although Leitch met with Reynolds, this is not a done deal yet—no official offer has been made and negotiations are not underway. With the success of the first film, whoever takes on the sequel will have more than a little pressure to perform.