'Deadpool 2' release date, plot and cast news: David Leitch is film's new director

"Deadpool 2" is back on track. After the sequel lost a director, Fox has finally found a replacement.

According to reports, "Deadpool 2" will now be directed by David Leitch, whose credits include "The Coldest City" starring Charlize Theron, and "John Wick" starring Keanu Reeves. Leitch took over the director's seat after "Deadpool" director Tim Miller stepped down from the position.

Variety detailed that Miller resigned due to creative differences with main star Ryan Reynolds. When he left, everyone thought that the second installment of the series would be in trouble because of the success of the first one under Miller's direction. The first movie grossed $783 million worldwide, giving Fox the biggest hit of the year. "Deadpool" even became the seventh-highest-grossing movie of 2016.

That is why a part two was inevitable and most of the creative team of the film was set to return to make "Deadpool 2." Fox co-chair Stacy Snider even confirmed that Miller would be back along with screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. But reports said that Miller and Reynolds did not agree on who should play the new character, Cable. Aside from that, Miller allegedly wanted a bigger production while the rest of them voted to stick to what made the first movie successful. 

That was supposedly when Miller left the film but reports said the split was amicable. It also did not take long for the movie to find a new one. The Hollywood Reporter detailed that Leitch's name came up just days after Miller's exit. But the producers had other choices. Included in the shortlist were Drew Goddard, Rupert Sanders and Magnus Martens.

It's said that Leitch went to New York to meet up with Reynolds. Soon after, Leitch was offered the gig but this is no surprise since the actor-director specializes in action-movie parlance.

As for the cast, nothing is confirmed yet aside from Reynolds but Digital Spy reported that Morena Baccarin would be back as Vanessa Carlysle and TJ Miller would return as Weasel.

"Deadpool 2" has no premiere date yet but it's rumored to hit theaters sometime in 2018.