Did Deadpool director quit sequel over Ryan Reynolds' creative demands?

Conflict... the exit of Deadpool director Tim Miller might not be quite as amicable as previously thought - Credit: Fox
Conflict… the exit of Deadpool director Tim Miller might not be quite as amicable as previously thought – Credit: Fox

Tim Miller, the director of the smash-hit ‘Deadpool’, walked from the planned sequel over the creative demands of the movie’s star Ryan Reynolds, according to reports.

The Wrap is quoting sources inside the production that claim that Miller and Reynolds, whose ailing career was revived by the movie, had a ‘contentious relationship’ which has now caused Miller to quit.

It’s claimed that along with a new deal for the sequel worth considerably more money, Reynolds’ agent also secured huge creative control over the next film.

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This has not sat well with Miller, who had set ideas for a more ‘stylised’ sequel, while Reynolds wants to ante up on the raunchy adult humour of the first film.

Miller... said to have a 'contentious relationship with Reynolds - Credit: Fox
Miller… said to have a ‘contentious relationship with Reynolds – Credit: Fox

Miller made his directorial debut on the film, and is said to have put in hours working for free, polishing the final product at the special effects company he co-founded, Blur Studio.

He was keen to cast ‘Bloodline’ star Kyle Chandler in the next movie as the X-Men associated mutant Cable, but Reynolds is said to have vetoed his choice.

Deadline first reported Miller’s exit from the sequel, which had a rough 2018 release date, calling the split ‘amicable’.

But it’s now said that Reynolds’ contract negotiations delayed what was hoped would be a speedy transition into the next film, which has already been written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, who penned the first movie.

The delay has also ‘shined a spotlight on the differences in vision between the two key players’, adds The Wrap.

‘Deadpool’, with its filthy adult humour and proud r-rating, was a huge success for Fox, making £639 million from a budget of £47 million and receiving rave reviews.

It’s now thought that Miller is set to jump onto Fox’s new sci-fi thriller ‘Influx’, which could be the first of a trilogy.