FX has exited the highly anticipated Deadpool TV series from Donald Glover and his brother, Stephen Glover.
The news was confirmed Saturday, nearly one year after the animated project received a 10-episode order for FX’s sister channel FXX; however, the network reassured viewers it would continue to work with Marvel TV on the live-action series Legion, which will return for its second season next week.
“Due to creative differences, FX, Donald Glover, Stephen Glover and Marvel Television have agreed to part ways on Marvel’s Deadpool animated series,” the network said in a statement. “FX will no longer be involved with the project. FX and Marvel have an ongoing relationship through our partnership on Legion, which will continue.”
The series, based on the popular Marvel anti-hero, was to be produced by ABC Signature Studios and Marvel TV in association with FX Productions. The Glover brothers were going to act as writers, executive producers, and showrunners.
The series was schedule to premiere in 2018. It’s currently unclear if Marvel TV and ABC Studios will still pursue the show—“with or without the Glovers.”
“Donald Glover is an incredibly gifted and versatile artist who'll bring the untitled Marvel's Deadpool series to life with the same intense, singular vision as his breakout hit Atlanta,” Nick Grad, co-president of original programming at FX, told Complex in 2017. “With the success of Legion, we're looking forward to again partnering with Marvel Television to create a series that is bold, striking, and entirely original.”
Though hopes were clearly high for the Deadpool series, we have to wonder how much time Donald could’ve dedicated to the show. He’s already tied to a number of projects, including FX’s Atlanta, the live-action Lion King remake, as well as the upcoming Solo: A Star Wars Story film. Glover is also gearing up to hit the road with Rae Sremmurd this year and is expected to drop another album under his musical alias Childish Gambino.
