Deadpool might not be headed to television after all. Almost a year after the project was first announced, FX network decided not to move forward with a Deadpool animated series co-written and co-produced by Donald Glover for the comedy-focused network FXX, but the reason behind the show’s cancellation remains uncertain.
“Due to creative differences, FX, Donald Glover, Stephen Glover, and Marvel Television have agreed to part ways on Marvel’s Deadpool animated series,” announced the network in a March 2018 statement reported by Deadline. “FX will no longer be involved with the project. FX and Marvel have an ongoing relationship through our partnership on Legion, which will continue.”
While early reports suggested that Glover might have been too busy for the project, the multitalented actor, writer, comedian, and musician indicated shortly after the announcement that this wasn’t the case — and he seemed to prove that by posting excerpts from a Deadpool script he clearly wrote after the show was canceled.
Titled “Finale,” the script Glover posted on Twitter begins how one might expect a Deadpool series to play out, but quickly veers into more existential territory, with Deadpool himself pondering the reasons behind the show’s cancellation and offering some hints as to what those “creative differences” might entail.
https://twitter.com/donaldglover/status/978932753742708737
https://twitter.com/donaldglover/status/978932760428425216
The full script posted by Glover can be read in a thread that begins with the simple statement: “for the record: i wasnt too busy to work on deadpool.”
https://twitter.com/donaldglover/status/978932683173650438?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.billboard.com%2Farticles%2Fnews%2F8264847%2Fdonald-glover-deadpool-tv-series-not-too-busy-shares-script-tweets&tfw_site=billboard
Originally announced back in May 2017, the series was intended to be produced and written by Atlanta creator and star Glover, as well as his brother Stephen, who also works on the Golden Globe-winning FX series. FXX ordered 10 episodes of the Deadpool series, and both brothers were attached as the animated series’ showrunners, too. The show was expected to premiere after the new season the hit animated series Archer later this year, and was envisioned as one of the major new programs cementing the adult-audience comedy offerings on FXX.
It’s uncertain at this point whether the series will find another home, but with Fox currently owning the rights to the character and Disney in the midst of an acquisition of Fox and its properties, it’s anyone’s guess as to where the mouthy mercenary’s small-screen adventures will eventually end up.
Although he indicated he isn’t too busy for Deadpool, Glover does have a lot of projects in various stages of development at the moment.
Beyond Atlanta season 2, he plays Lando Calrissian in this year’s Star Wars spinoff movie Solo: A Star Wars Story, and voices Simba in Disney’s 2019 live-action Lion King remake.
Fortunately, Deadpool fans don’t have long to wait for more of the character’s irreverent, fourth-wall-breaking action. After the 2016 film earned more than $363 million in U.S. theaters and $783.1 million worldwide — and broke some records along the way — a sequel was green-lit shortly thereafter.
Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds reprises his role in May’s Deadpool 2, and 20th Century Fox released a new trailer for the film in March that showcases the multitude of mutants making their debut in the movie.
Updated on March 28: Added Glover’s response to the show’s cancellation.
