Simon Kinberg: Deadpool Movie Will Take Place in X-Men Cinematic Universe

There's no safer bet than a superhero mash-up these days, so it's not entirely surprising that the upcoming Deadpool movie will take place in the same universe as the X-Men film series.

Ever since the confirmation of the 2016 Deadpool movie (or after the raucous celebration had subsided), fans have been wondering if the cinematic "merc with a mouth" would live in the same universe as the X-Men, as he has interacted with the superhero team in the comics as both a villain and an ally, even becoming a member of their team for a short period.

Simon Kinberg, writer for X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men: Days of Future Past, as well as producer for X-Men: First Class, told Comicbook.com, "There's definitely a sort of overall plan that we've all been talking about for the X-Men universe now, and Deadpool obviously fits into that," Kinberg said. "So yeah, I guess I would say it's part of an overall timeline and thought process that goes into these films, some of which is inspired by the comics and some which is inspired by seeing what Marvel's done with [making] a larger tapestry and linking all those movies together, even as they stand independently as well. The same kind of thought is going to go into these X-Men movies at Fox."

Deadpool, a Marvel fan favorite, is a disfigured, snarky mercenary who is known for his quick quips and his tendency to break the fourth wall. Ryan Reynolds portrayed him in the 2009 film X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and will reprise the role in the 2016 solo movie. He will also reportedly appear in the developing X-Force movie.