Fox and Marvel have slotted “Deadpool,” their long-in-development “X-Men” spin-off, for Feb. 12, 2016.

Ryan Reynolds, who portrayed the character in 2009’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” has been expected to star for many years, although no deal is in place.

Tim Miller is directing the superhero film with Lauren Shuler Donner and Marvel’s Kevin Feige producing.

The talkative mercenary character, also known as Wade Wilson, was created by artist Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza. He first appeared in print in 1991.

If Reynolds does reprise his role in the film it would mark his first superhero project since “Green Lantern,” which floundered at the box office in 2011.

On Thursday, Fox also took “Assassin’s Creed” out of its Aug. 7, 2015, slot and moved its “Fantastic Four” reboot into the date from June 19. The studio did not set a new date for “Assassin’s Creed,” based on a Ubisoft videogame and starring Michael Fassbender.

Additionally, the studio moved its young-adult drama “Paper Towns,” adapted from the John Green novel, from July 31, 2015, to June 19.

“Deadpool” is the fourth film to be set for the Feb. 12, 2016, date along with Lionsgate’s “Gods of Egypt,” Universal’s untitled animated pets project and Warner’s romantic comedy “How to Be Single.”