Since we can't spend all of our time obsessing over Captain America: Civil War, it's time to turn our attention to another superhero franchise: Deadpool. The R-rated superhero spinoff a decade in the making took Hollywood by storm earlier this year, becoming one of the biggest movies of 2016 despite little confidence from the Hollywood powers-that-be. In a world of constantly growing cinematic universes, Deadpool is a rarity in that it barely ties into Marvel's established X-Men universe. Though star Ryan Reynolds originated the role of Wade Wilson in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Deadpool makes little to no reference to Wade's history with Wolverine, and made sure to have as few ties to the X-Men as possible. Now that the movie has proven to be a success, there's little doubt that the sequel, tentatively known as Deadpool 2 , will havea lot more of a tie-in to the X-Men mythology. And that's just one of the many things fans need to see in the Deadpool sequel.
Obviously, there are only so many things one sequel can contain, unless the studio is going to go full X-Men: Days of Future Past. But, that's what the X-Men movies are for. What makes Deadpool so special is that it's less about connecting to a huge franchise and more about the unique humor of a wild and unhinged superhero. A Deadpool sequel needs to have a balance of humor and X-Men connections, and these are just some suggestions of how to do it.
1. A Connection To Wolverine
Deadpool has a long history with Wolverine — they both got their mutant powers as a result of experiments from the same mysterious organization. Now that Deadpool is actually going to be a franchise, it would make sense to connect it to the X-Men movies. Plus, Hugh Jackman and Reynolds together in one movie? Yes please.
2. Blake Lively
Deadpool featured a few jokes mocking Reynolds' first superhero outing, Green Lantern. The movie, while universally panned, is credited as the film that began the romance between Reynolds and his now-wife, Blake Lively. If Lively were to cameo in her husband's next big movie, it would be an excellent way to expand the Green Lantern joke.
3. More Negasonic Teenage Warhead
Negasonic Teenage Warhead was, hands down, one of the absolute best things in Deadpool. Should Deadpool continue his love/hate relationship to the X-Men in the upcoming sequel, Negasonic Teenage Warhead must be a part of it.
4. More Vanessa
It would be great to see a Deadpool sequel expand Vanessa's role beyond being Deadpool's girlfriend. #JusticeForVanessa
5. A Deadpool Date
Speaking of Vanessa, it would be funny to see how her relationship with Deadpool evolves now that she knows he's alive and what happened to him. Also, now that he has the love of his life back, will Wade be more open to, you know, living in the outside world again? A date night could be a great test.
6. Cable
As teased in Deadpool's post-credits scene, Cable should be joining Deadpool in the sequel. For those of you who don't know, Cable is another X-Men character who has a long rivalry/friendship with Deadpool in the comics.
7. A Deadpool Boyfriend
Deadpool is known for his fluid sexuality, which is something that was hinted at, but not explored, in Deadpool. Reynolds himself has said that he would love to explore that more in the future, and, when presented with the possibility of introducing a boyfriend for Deadpool, the actor told Variety , "I certainly wouldn't be the guy standing in the way of that. That would be great." Before you start railing about Wade and Vanessa, keep in mind that it could be an ex-boyfriend.
8. Deadpool As A Vigilante/Criminal
Deadpool spent the majority of the first movie rejecting the idea of using his powers for good, even though he began the film acting as a kind of vigilante for hire. It would be fun to see him return to that kind of life now that he's a mutant. Or he could use his special skills to rob bank. Either one would satisfy me immensely.
9. Deadpool Goes Grocery Shopping
Come on, I cannot be the only person who wants to see Deadpool try to do some kind of mundane, every day task. Hilarity would ensue.
10. Magneto
Because everything is better with Ian McKellen. (I mean, I wouldn't complain if Deadpool met Michael Fassbender's Magneto, either.)
11. Another Bomb Soundtrack
Deadpool will forever be connected to DMX and Salt-N-Pepa, so it's only fair that a Deadpool sequel have an equally iconic soundtrack. Maybe some Paula Abdul? Or Elton John? I don't know, but whatever it is, it has to be epic.
OK, so maybe Deadpool 2 doesn't need to have all of these things, but as long as it's got a couple, I'll be happy.
Images: 20th Century Fox; Giphy (11)
