By Emma Thrower | Posted 28 Jun 2017

In what is probably the best casting news you’ll hear all year, Julian Dennison (yes, Ricky Baker himself) has joined the ranks of Deadpool 2.

Ryan Reynolds took to Instagram (he's giving that boy a piggyback!) to announce the new addition in his usual low-key style:

Reynolds' caption reads: 'Giving Julian Dennison a warm 💀💩L welcome as we stare off into our beautiful future together. #RickyBakerPool #NZ'

Hunt For The Wilderpeople director Taika Waititi – himself now also of the superhero canon – was quick to take to Twitter to express his happiness at the inspired casting.

The New Zealand teen (and former Empire Award nominee) will join fellow Deadpool newbies Josh Brolin (Cable) and Zazie Beetz (Domino), with Leslie Uggams returning as the scene-stealing Blind Al. There's no word just yet on who Dennison will be playing.

John Wick co-director David Leitch has replaced previous helmer Tim Miller, hoping to create another huge hit for Fox after the first instalment became the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. No pressure, then...

Deadpool 2 is currently slated for release in June of next year.

Altogether now: “Ricky Baker, Ricky Baker…”