Josh Brolin has landed the role of Cable in Deadpool 2. He'll star in the sequel opposite Ryan Reynolds, who will reprise his role as Marvel's Merc with a Mouth, Wade Wilson, a.k.a. Deadpool.

Deadpool 2 has been searching high and low for the right actor to play Cable, a time-traveling mutant soldier from a post-apocalyptic future. Man of Steel actor Michael Shannon almost landed the role and Stranger Things star David Harbour was also on the shortlist. There were also unconfirmed rumors that 20th Century Fox was having conversations with Russell Crowe and Brad Pitt.

Brolin was reportedly a surprise final choice among those involved in the casting. This will be Brolin's second Marvel role. He also plays the big bad of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thanos the Mad Titan. His Cable deal is reportedly for four films. David Leitch (John Wick) will direct the sequel, taking over for original Deadpool director Tim Miller. Fox is reportedly aiming for a June start of production in Vancouver.

Up Next: How Deadpool 2 Writers Plan To Avoid Sequel Slump Atlanta star Zazie Beetz has also been cast in Deadpool 2. She will play Domino, a mutant with probability manipulation abilities that endows her with improbably good luck. In the Marvel Comics Universe, Domino was a member of Cable's mercenary crew, Six Pack, and one of his early love interests.