Ryan Reynolds is still putting maximum effort into "Deadpool." He just told Entertainment Weekly -- which named him Entertainer of the Year -- that they are currently in the development stage for "Deadpool 2," but "we're about to move into production."

Original director Tim Miller is out, reportedly after clashing with Reynolds on the direction of the sequel. Miller's replacement is "John Wick" director David Leitch.

When asked previously about the director change, Reynolds simply told The Hollywood Reporter, "Ultimately, everything is on track, that's all that matters at the moment."

He had more to say on the subject to EW, praising both Miller and Leitch:

On Tim Miller: "There is not a human being on Earth that worked harder on 'Deadpool' than Tim. He's an incredibly, incredibly talented director."

On Davd Leitch: "Everybody was just a fan of his work. He's just a guy who's so muscular with his action. He also really understands those 'Deadpool' sensibilities and where we need to take the franchise from here. And I love 'John Wick.' One of the things that David Leitch does that very few filmmakers can do these days is they can make a movie on an ultra tight minimal budget look like it was shot for 10-15 times what it cost."

There's certainly something to be said for creative use of funds, but why would "Deadpool 2" really need someone who can work on "an ultra tight minimal budget"? Didn't this thing make half a mint? Show it all the money.

Anyway, Reynolds added that they are still casting for Cable and "looking at" Domino as another "Deadpool 2" character. One guy who is ready to return is T.J. Miller as Wade Wilson's buddy Weasel. Here's what Miller recently told Cinema Blend:

"I have been talking with Ryan Reynolds and the writers, and they're really excited about ['Deadpool 2']. I think, for me, I just want Weasel to wield a gun, at one point. But there's more fun stuff coming."

"Deadpool 2" is currently aiming for release in January 2018.

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