We've known for a while now that the "Deadpool" sequel would introduce some new "X-Men" characters to the big screen -- to the extent that it's rumored a version of "X-Force" could make its debut -- but despite the inclusion of those characters, writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick insist the follow-up is still very much a "standalone film."

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Speaking to Deadline in light of the original film's success throughout awards season, Reese confirmed:

Yeah, it’ll be a solo movie. It’ll be populated with a lot of characters, but it is still Deadpool’s movie, this next one. We’re pushing forward very hard. I think by every account we will shoot it this year, and we’re on our multiple draft now. It’s taken different twists and turns, but it’s really coalescing, and we’re very, very excited. We’re a little nervous, because now we feel like we have to live up to the first movie, but at the same time, we have to have faith, and we have an extreme passion still, and as long as we have passion still, and it’s not a mercenary, venal play, which we don’t think this is, I think we’ll be in good shape.

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While he didn't go so far to confirm Cable's appearance in the film, Wernick did say, "It’s a world that’s so rich and we always thought Cable should be in the sequel. There was always debate whether to put him in the original, and it felt like we needed to set up Deadpool and create his world first, and then bring those characters into his world in the next one."

Regardless of the departure in October of director Tim Miller over “creative differences,” the “Deadpool” sequel is set for a Jan. 2, 2018, release, with “John Wick” director David Leitch at the helm. Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (“Zombieland”), who wrote the first film, will return for the sequel.

(via ComicsAlliance)