Recently we learned that Life, a new sci-fi thriller from Deadpool writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, might be Ryan Reynolds’ first big post-Deadpool project. Well, it turns out we were counting our space chickens before they hatched.
Variety is reporting that Life will now star Jake Gyllenhaal. Apparently Reynolds was set to star in the movie, but had to back out due to a scheduling conflict, and Gyllenhaal nightcrawled in to fill the position. Reynolds’ apparently still has a part in the movie, but it’s a smaller role.
Life is about a group of astronauts aboard the International Space Station who find out a sample brought back from Mars is actually alive. This being a sci-fi thriller, said life is probably also angry and dangerous. The movie will be helmed by Daniel Espinosa, who previously directed Reynolds in Safe House. Aside from Gyllenhaal and Reynolds, Life will also star Swedish badass Rebecca Ferguson (Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation).
It kind of seems like Life was set up specifically for Reynolds, so it’s a shame he has to step aside, but I’ll admit – I’m more excited for the movie now that Gyllenhaal has come on board. Between Source Code, Enemy and Nightcrawler, I know that dude knows how to pick a sci-fi/thriller project, so now I’m confident Reese and Wernick’s script must have something going for it. Deadpool success aside, Reynolds’ name definitely doesn’t come with that guarantee.
(Via Variety)