Don't Expect Stephen Lang To End Up Playing Cable In 'Deadpool 2'

Even though we know Deadpool 2 is officially in the works with director Tim Miller getting back behind the camera, there's no official release date announced for the sequel just yet. However, the last update we got on Deadpool 2 was that the script was expected to be finished sometime soon with an eye towards production beginning on 2017. That means the sequel will likely end up hitting theaters in 2018, but it likely won't have one cast member who was campaigning for a major role earlier this year.

Avatar star Stephen Lang previously took to social media to express his desire to play the mutant known as Cable in Deadpool 2, a character who has been a key rival and ally to the Merc with a Mouth at different points in the characters' history. However, in a recent interview, the actor cast some doubt on whether he'll actually end up with the role. Find out why we likely won't see Stephen Lang as Cable in Deadpool 2 after the jump.CinemaBlend recently spoke with Stephen Lang about his campaign for the role of Deadpool 2, and that's when the actor expressed doubt that he would end up with the role. Lang explained:

I think it's highly unlikely that they would ever give me the part, for a number of reasons, one of which being that it's the same studio as Avatar. It's a conceivable it would be a scheduling conflict, but you know, what I've said is that if they did give me the part, they'd be very satisfied – because I'll play the hell out of the part. But if they don't give me the part, then I can be magnanimous in defeat, compliment the actor who does get the part, and console myself with four sequels to Avatar.

I suppose having a deal for four sequels to Avatar isn't a bad substitute for not landing the role of Cable in Deadpool 2. James Cameron revealed back in 2013 that Stephen Lang would be back for three Avatar sequels, but since then one more sequel has been added to the mix, and it sounds like Lang already knows he'll be in all of them. We still don't know how Lang, whose character was believed to have died in the first film, will be brought back, but we'll find out at some point.

Considering there's no indication how long the Avatar sequels will keep Stephen Lang busy, it's probably much easier to find someone else who isn't so busy to sign what will likely be a multi-film contract for future Deadpool sequels. Then again, since 20th Century Fox is doing both the Avatar sequels and Deadpool sequels, it may not be so hard for them to situate Stephen Lang's schedule so that he can do both.

Honestly, even though Stephen Lang has the right look for Cable, I'd much rather see a higher caliber actor in the role. Lang isn't a bad actor, but I just think there's a better option out there. Though I will say his turn in the upcoming Don't Breathe looks like it might change my mind a bit. I still think the proposed casting of Mel Gibson from the Deadpool credits scene at the end of the first movie is the best option, but both Ron Perlman and Dolph Lundgren have thrown their hats into the ring, so who knows what will happen.