After the "Deadpool 2" first teasers arrived earlier this month, fans were left hanging as to who might play one of the franchise's main characters, Cable. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Oscar-nominated actor Michael Shannon is currently the favorite to play the part.

Other actors were reportedly on the shortlist, including "Stranger Things" actor David Harbour. According to THR's sources, Kyle Chandler whose name popped up for the part last summer was "never in contention for the role."

Why Michael Shannon To Lead Cable Role?

Shannon, who recently received Oscar nominations for "Revolutionary Road" and "Nocturnal Animals," is no outsider to superhero movies, as he played General Zod in the Superman Movie "Man of Steel."

Potentially impacting Shannon's capacity to play Cable is in production, as he is confirmed for the independent movie "What They Had," which begins shooting this spring. In addition to Cable, "Deadpool 2" will feature the character Domino, who will be played by Zazie Beetz.

Who Is Cable?

Cable is the gun-slinging, time traveler, mechanical son of Cyclops and Madelyn Pryor, Jean Grey's clone. Although he was born in the present, he was sent to the future and raised as a mutant warrior whose sole purpose is to return to the past and prevent the apocalyptic future from happening. In the end, Cable's attitude and his fearsome abilities make him outwits Deadpool's tricks.

Even though the sequel will feature debuts of Domino and Cable, as well as the return of supporting characters like Colossus, Negasonic Teenage Warhead, and Dopinder, screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick have assured fans during press events that it will still mainly focus on Marvel's most eccentric villain.

"Deadpool 2" is directed by John Wick's David Leitch. He replaces the first film's director, Tim Miller, who broke through over reported creative differences with "Deadpool" actor Ryan Reynolds. No date of release has been set for "Deadpool 2."