Ryan Reynolds Talks Tim Miller’s Departure From Deadpool 2

In October, Deadpool directed Tim Miller declined to return to direct the surprise hit superhero movie’s sequel. Miller’s departure was reportedly the result of creative differences with Deadpool star and producer Ryan Reynolds.

Reynolds has been silent on the issue of Miller’s departure, with the possible exception of a Tweet posted before the news broke wide. In an interview published today by GQ, Reynolds finally offered a brief statement on the matter.

“All I can really add is that I’m sad to see him off the film,” Reynolds said. “Tim’s brilliant and nobody worked harder on Deadpool than he did.”

Reynolds statement doesn’t really add any new facts to the narrative, but it does strengthen the idea that Reynolds and Miller parted ways on the project respectfully and amicably. Miller maintains a strong relationship with 20th Century Fox as well and is attached to direct the upcoming science fiction movie Influx.

Additional reports suggested that Miller and Reynolds butted heads on the overall tone of Deadpool 2, with Miller wanting to focus on enhancing the sequel’s visual flair and Reynolds wanting to add more of Deadpool’s raunchy sense of humor. The breaking point was supposedly a disagreement over who should play Cable, a time-travelling mutant mercenary who is sometimes Deadpool’s partner. Miller was reportedly pulling for Kyle Chandler, while Reynolds wanted to keep searching.

Since Miller’s departure, several more names have cropped up as potential replacements to direct Deadpool 2, including John Wick co-director David Leitch.

NEXT: Fox and Marvel Swapped Deadpool And Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Characters / Deadpool 2 Will NOT Start Filming In Early 2017 / Tim Miller Departs Deadpool 2 / Ryan Reynolds Asked Fans For Deadpool 2 Input / Reynolds, Miller Clashed Over Cable Casting / Rumored Further Details On Tim Miller’s Deadpool 2 Departure / John Wick‘s David Leitch In Running To Direct Deadpool 2 / More Directors Named In Deadpool 2 Search / Junkie XL Departs Deadpool 2 / Deadpool 3 To Feature X-Force / What Deadpool Could Look Like In An X-Force Team-Up Movie / X-Men Fan Film Brings Cable To Life In Live-Action / Deadpool Getting Special Holiday Blu-Ray Release / Ryan Reynolds Lends His Deadpool Costume To Taylor Swift For Halloween / Fans Petition For Quentin Tarantino To Direct Deadpool 2 / Guardians of the Galaxy Director James Gunn Comments On Tim Miller Leaving Deadpool 2

Shortly after Miller left, composer Junkie XL, who scored the first Deadpool movie, announced that he would not return for the sequel, having seemingly had his heart taken out of the project.

Despite these hiccups, 20th Century Fox reportedly remains confident in Deadpool as a franchise and is already making plans for Deadpool 3, which will introduce the mutant paramilitary/kill squad X-Force.

Originally expected to begin production in early 2017, the production schedule for Deadpool 2 now remains unclear.