Josh Brolin has been cast in the role of time traveling mutant Cable in the upcoming “Deadpool 2” opposite Ryan Reynolds as the titular Merc with a Mouth, TheWrap has learned.
The role has been hotly sought after following the surprisingly explosive success of the first “Deadpool” film in 2016.
This isn’t Brolin’s first superhero rodeo. His previous recent roles include playing Thanos in “The Avengers” films and “Jonah Hex” in the DC adaptation of the same name. Thanos, however, is part of Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe while Deadpool is part of 20th Century Fox’s separate X-Men universe. The two have yet to cross over.
Brolin has signed a four-picture deal to play Cable in future films, according to The Hollywood Reporter, which broke the news.
In the Marvel comics, “Cable” is the alter ego of Nathan Summers, son of X-Men mainstay Scott Summers, a.k.a. Cyclops. The character traveled to the present day from a possible future timeline.
Created by artist Rob Liefeld and writer Louise Simonson, Cable first appeared in a tease at the end of “The New Mutants” issue #86 in February of 1990. The scarred, ravaged character has a bionic left arm, a cybernetic eye, and embedded technology that allows him to hack into computer systems.
Cable has also long been associated with the Marvel Comics mutant team X-Force. 20th Century Fox has been openly developing an “X-Force” film, which could follow “Deadpool 2.” The Deadpool sequel does not currently have a release date.
“John Wick” co-director David Leitch will direct “Deadpool 2,” replacing director Tim Miller, who left the sequel over creative differences.