Ryan Reynolds Might Be Deadpool, Might Be R.I.P.D.

"See what happens when you make me CHOOSE?"

News today from the Ryan Reynolds front, and no, it's not about weight training.

Reynolds has recently been linked to R.I.P.D, the adaptation of the graphic novel from Peter M. Lenkov by the same name.  He'd play a recently deceased police officer who joins a group of undead vigilantes to find his own murderer. Sounds promising, and now that the project has attracted Red director Robert Schwentke, it sounds downright probable that Reynolds will lead the cast.

But what about Deadpool?  Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (both screenwriters for Zombieland) have penned the script, and have run it by Reynolds, who's enthusiastic about the project, though it seems now he will only have time to do one of the two films. 

Reynolds responded to the question of which he'll choose at a recent press junket for his new film, Buried. He said, "They're both movies I'm interested in, they're both movies that are in fast-track development. But I never say I'm doing a movie until I break for lunch the first day. Because it's such a crapshoot, this industry. Everything's so fickle and so contingent on so many factors, aside from just an actor. And because it has an actor, and because these films have interested directors, it's obviously likely that they'll both get made. But I think it would be more likely that only one of them gets made with me."

With Green Lantern right around the corner (slated for release next summer), could Reynolds find the time to play this many comic book heroes?  From his quote, it looks doubtful.  I'm holding out hope he chooses Deadpool at the end of the day; not only is it the film with more mainstream possibilities, but fans have already been clamoring for more of the character since we first saw him in Wolverine.  Speaking from a marketing point of view, which I am loathe to do, Deadpool already has a presence in the public consciousness; it would be in Reynolds' and his fans best interest to pursue that character's back story.

Then again, playing both Deadpool and the Green Lantern might put us on Reynolds-Overload.  I, for one, enjoy some variety in my superheroes and villains.  Maybe he should take the lesser-known role.  The unfortunate part about the whole thing is, that while R.I.P.D can survive if Reynolds pulls out, I'm not sure Deadpool could do the same and still be worth watching.  What do you think?  Can he do all three, Lantern, R.I.P.D, and Deadpool? Or would we be sick of seeing that over-worked chest of his after that many films?

I suppose only time will tell.  Time...and maybe money.  Or maybe the right film will win him over with protein shakes and gym memberships. Stay tuned.