The search for Cable in the forthcoming Deadpool 2 is proving exhausting to follow. Today comes word, courtesy from The Hollywood Reporter, that Michael Shannon is the current frontrunner to spar against Ryan Reynolds’ acid-tongued mercenary in the Fox sequel. This is hardly a done deal as other actors are also in contention as the list of rumored Cables continues to grow, yet currently Shannon may be at the top of Fox’s list for the coveted part. A definitive answer will need to be made soon, however, as Deadpool 2 is set to start production this summer.

Another name on the top of the heap is Stranger Things breakout David Harbour (as we reported a few weeks back). There was also a rumor a while back that Emmy winner Kyle Chandler (Carol, Manchester by the Sea) was in contention for the part, yet that may have never been officially vetted. One piece of the Deadpool 2 puzzle was settled last week when it was revealed that rising star Zazie Beetz (FX’s Atlanta) had won the coveted part of Domino, another key Marvel player set to be introduced in Deadpool 2. David Leitch (John Wick) is directing the second installment.

Originally created by Rob Liefeld (co-creator of Deadpool) and writer Louise Simonson, Cable in many ways represents the antithesis of Deadpool – calculated, domineering yet aggressive. Interestingly, as first created, the character came from the future as was the adult iteration of Scott Summers aka Cyclops, a character previously essayed by James Marsden in the X-Men films and rebooted in last year’s X-Men: Apocalypse by rising actor Tye Sheridan (Mud).

It’s worth noting that while Shannon may current sit atop Fox’s wishlist, the very in-demand two-time Oscar nominee (most recently for his performance in Tom Ford’s Nocturnal Animals) may not be able to enlist even if interested. Shannon recently wrapped the period bio The Current War (opposite Benedict Cumberbatch) and the war drama Horse Soldiers (opposite Chris Hemsworth) and is readying to shoot the indie What They Had (opposite 2-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank). If his schedule is accommodating, however, Shannon does have superhero movie experience, having previously appeared in the misbegotten Jonah Hex as well as villain General Zod in Man of Steel.

Watch this space.