Josh Brolin To Play Cable In ‘Deadpool 2’

Nobody likes a double-dipper, but does that rule apply when it comes to movies based on Marvel Comics? The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Josh Brolin will play opposite Ryan Reynolds as Cable in Deadpool 2. The casting of the role has been under much speculation with the likes of Stephen Lang (Avatar), Ron Perlman (Hellboy), and even Pierce Brosnan among those rumored or considered. Of late, two more names to pop up on the shortlist were Michael Shannon and Stranger Things‘ David Harbour. Sorry, Keira Knightley fans.

The Brolin selection is a bit of a surprise, since this will be his second Marvel Comics character; he’s currently playing the villain Thanos as part of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe. The Deadpool sequel is set to begin production in June with David Leitch (John Wick, Atomic Blonde) at the helm. Brolin’s deal is reportedly for four films, which will likely include, in addition to Deadpool 2, the eventual X-Force franchise for 20th Century Fox.

Brolin, who has been on a hot streak of projects that includes last year’s Hail Caesar!, a picture written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen and starring the likes of George Clooney, Tilda Swinton and Channing Tatum, is set to star in this fall’s Granite Mountain and Soldado, Taylor Sheridan’s written sequel to Sicario.

So I guess all hail Thanos: The Cable Guy?