‘Deadpool’: Ryan Reynolds, R-rating, Ed Skrein set to play Ajax
Comic book fans are rejoicing that Deadpool is currently in production and Ryan Reynolds has been brash about getting an R-rating. Additionally, fans now have confirmation that Game of Thrones actor Ed Skrein will be the film’s villain, Ajax.
Ajax is a character that comes directly from the comics. In the source material, Ajax begins as a man known only as Francis who acts as an enforcer at the hospital in which the Weapon X program is underway.
Having had his nerves removed, Francis serves to reign in the “washouts” of the program, including Wade Wilson. But when he tries to exterminate Wilson after the latter’s Weapon X surgery goes wrong, Wilson instead turns the tables, seemingly killing Francis. I say “seemingly” because Francis reappears having taken the name “Ajax,” seeking out and killing all former members of the Weapon X program, and bent on revenge against the man who tried to kill him.
Reynolds took to Twitter during production on the Marvel Comics adaptation to address the film’s rating. He reiterated that he’s always wanted Deadpool, a story that focuses on a violent antihero who uses profanity, to be rated-R and was currently “fighting” with the studio, since it would be a significant leap of faith for 20th Century Fox to release an R-rated superhero movie.
An “exclusive” video interview between Extra’s Mario Lopez and Reynolds on the Deadpool set surfaced over at JoBlo, during which the rating issue was solved once and for all.
Given how the video ends, watch it below, and since one of Fox’s marketing people tweeted the above video as well, it appears likely that this is the studio’s way of announcing that Deadpool will in fact be Rated-R, and Reynolds all but confirmed it with the below tweet.
“February 12th. There will be blood. Guns. F-bombs. And graphic, expertly lit French Unicorn sex. #deadpoolRatedR @deadpoolmovie #Aprilpools” – @VancityReynolds
Collider has published set videos, photos of action – explosions, shootouts, car flips and tons of gun play — check it out here
Directed by Tim Miller, the film also stars Morena Baccarin as Vanessa Carlysle, T.J. Miller as Weasel, and Gina Carano as Angel Dust.
Deadpool opens in theaters on February 12, 2016.
