As Fox comes ever closer to casting Cable for "Deadpool 2," rumors continue to surface regarding who is -- and who was -- in the running to play the character. According to Collider, "Inglourious Basterds" star Bratt Pitt was considered for the role, though he has since moved on.

The report claims that "there was interest on both sides," which indicates that Pitt himself considered taking it. However, Pitt may be gearing up for his zombie flick "World War Z 2," which he will both produce and star in should Paramount decide to move forward with it. Seeing as Fox is still casting the role, there is still a very slim possibility that Pitt will reconsider, but it seems more likely that the project will end up with someone else.

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This rumor arrives on the heels of the report that "Man of Steel" star Michael Shannon is the top contender to play Cable. Shannon, who played General Zod among numerous high-profile roles, isn’t the only actor under consideration by 20th Century Fox, but he is “leading the pack,” ahead of “Stranger Things” actor David Harbour.

As Collider points out, the role of Cable requires a commitment beyond "Deadpool 2," as he is also expected to show up in "X-Force" with the Merc With a Mouth himself. This could cause scheduling conflicts for whichever actor eventually lands the role. Seeing as both Pitt and Shannon are high profile actors, scheduling could very well impact their decision to accept (or decline) the role.

Earlier this week, "Deadpool" scribes Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese said that fans should expect an announcement about Cable “very soon,” seeing as the sequel is expected to go into production in just a few months. As such, Fox is likely closing in on an actor.

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Cable was co-created by Rob Liefeld and Louise Simonson, and first appeared in 1990’s “New Mutants” #87. A time-traveling mutant soldier from the future, the character was subsequently revealed to be the son of Cyclops and Madelyne Pryor, Jean Grey’s clone. He’s frequently paired with “Deadpool” in Marvel Comics, most notably for a 50-issue run of “Cable & Deadpool” between 2004 and 2008.

Directed by David Leitch (“John Wick”), the as-yet untitled “Deadpool” sequel will once again star Ryan Reynolds, joined (so far) by Zazie Beetz as Domino, Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Karan Soni as Dopinder and, presumably, Stefan Kapičić as the voice of Colossus; and is expected for release in 2018.