When the name “Deadpool” is spoken these days, casual moviegoers would turn to the 20th Century Fox “X-Men” spinoff flick in 2016 starring Ryan Reynolds, or the sequel currently in production. More savvy media viewers might recall an alternate version of the character in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” as well as appearances in animated series and videogames. The “purist” fans, of course, would know him as a breakout popular Marvel Comics character that has been through a lot in the print medium. In May the FX network announced that they plan to produce a new animated series starring the Merc with the Mouth.
Recently they gave more info, and it seems that the new cartoon Deadpool will not be quite like the one in the movie.
Not like Reynolds
John Landgraf, president of FX Networks, spoke about their future programming lineup at the 2017 Television Critics Association press tour this week. One of the in-development shows he discussed was, of course, the Deadpool animated series they announced back in May, which has yet to receive an official title beyond that of its main character. Landgraf was quick to the point in emphasizing that the cartoon will not be echoing the beats and characterization laid down by Ryan Reynolds in the live-action adaptation from the year before.
As Landgraf puts it, the Deadpool cartoon will have a different tone and editing compared to the Fox treatment.
This is deliberate on the network’s part, in their push to “make something distinctly different from the movies.” What is bound to be certain is that the age rating for “Deadpool” on FX will likely be just as adult (if not mature) in execution from dialogue to action. Their original May announcement on the series estimated the show’s premiere to be in 2018, and this new exposition by the FX boss does not make the time frame any more specific yet.
Other FX shows
Deadpool first appeared in Marvel Comics back in 1991, created by artist/writers Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza. While initially a copy of DC Comics character Deathstroke the Terminator, Deadpool developed a character and mythos of his own with his now signature medium awareness that he is a fictional character in a work of fiction.
The FX animated series will be executively produced by brother team Stephen and Donald Glover, the latter being a star in “Atlanta” and the “Han Solo” prequel. Glover will also provide voice work.
In addition to “Deadpool,” John Landgraf also talked about the future status of some other FX series such as “Fargo” and “Louie.” The former’s return for a season 4 is currently up in the air; so are the prospects of a continuation for “Louie,” which ended with a season 5 back in 2015.
