As Deadpool continues its quest to rack up as many award nominations as possible, it’s time for fans of the franchise to look towards the future. Before we know it, Deadpool 2 will be in production and fans will be wondering what’s in store for the Merc with a Mouth.

Some delicious news dropped today confirming both Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead for the Deadpool sequel, but what about the rest of the X-Men? There’s a library filled with fun mutant characters that need their moment in the sun. Heck, even the screenwriters agree. In an interview with Deadline, Rhett Reese discussed the possibility of a plethora of mutants showing up in a Deadpool sequel.

“It’ll be a solo movie. It’ll be populated with a lot of characters, but it is still Deadpool’s movie, this next one. We’re pushing forward very hard. I think by every account we will shoot it this year, and we’re on our multiple draft now. It’s taken different twists and turns, but it’s really coalescing, and we’re very, very excited.”

Take that quote however you want, but here’s what I’m getting: Deadpool will be the star; there will be other fun characters; we’re still working the details out. So, get excited, X-Men fans, and let your minds run wild with the characters you could see. In fact, I think it’s time for a Top Ten List of X-Men Characters that deserve a chance to be in Deadpool 2.

Now, this list will be simple: no characters that have previously turned up in an X-Men movie will be allowed on this list, with one slight exception — any character that appeared in X-Men Origins: Wolverine will get a second chance at life, since it appears the movie has been scrubbed from both the McAvoy and Stewart Timelines. So, with those rules in place, let’s see what ten characters should turn up in the next Deadpool movie.

1. Cable

I mean, it’s happening. We know it’s happening thanks to the post-credits scene from the first movie.

Cable needs to be part of this movie and we’re going to get it. If you don’t believe me, here’s Paul Wernick (the other writer of Deadpool) in that same Deadline report.

“It’s a world that’s so rich and we always thought Cable should be in the sequel. There was always [a] debate whether to put him in the original, and it felt like we needed to set up Deadpool and create his world first, and then bring those characters into his world in the next one.”

So… hooray! I’m one-for-one on this list!

2. Gambit

I have no problems with Taylor Kitsch, but he did not do any justice to Remy LeBeau in Origins. Since that movie no longer matters, we need to get a proper version of Gambit on the big screen. If the Channing Tatum version is eventually going to happen, bring the character into Deadpool 2, even as a glorified cameo. Let’s see if Tatum has the goods as the card-slinging Ragin’ Cajun. If he doesn’t, then at least we can have Wade Wilson make fun of him (in the end, we all win).

3. Domino

Again, it looks like Domino is already a lock for Deadpool 2. If you’re going to bring Cable on board, you might as well have his better half, Domino. Plus, bringing another skilled mercenary would be a solid foe/ally for Deadpool, and it would open the door for the sequel to introduce the X-Force movie on the horizon.

4. Forge

Deadpool, Cable and Domino have one thing in common: hey like their guns. Forge is someone who has the ability to create their arsenals. A skilled inventor, Forge would be a perfect side character that could be the go-to ammunition guy for everyone else in the movie. The role could be a potential scene-stealer a la Weasel in the original.

5. X-Man

Bringing in Nate Grey could become cinema gold if done properly. He is essentially the son of Cyclops and Jean Grey after their DNA was manipulated by Mister Sinister to create the ultimate mutant. Now, imagine if the true son of Summers and Grey (Cable) has to travel back in time to kill his clone version. Just knowing Deadpool would mock Cable for being an older, less powerful version of X-Man could be priceless. Also, just imagine the fun Wade Wilson would have poking fun at a person called X-Man. I’ll leave the actual comedy for Reese, Wernick and Ryan Reynolds, but the foundation is there for some hilarious moments.

6. Dazzler

A disco singer who can create shiny beams of light? That sounds like the perfect character for a Deadpool movie. While her backstory and powers might seem too lighthearted for other X-Men movies, Alison Blaire would fit in perfectly with the world of Wade Wilson.

There was a crazy joke that went around a few years back that Lady Gaga was going to play Dazzler in Days of Future Past. Now, that doesn’t sound like bad casting at all.

7. Blob

This was a hard one to include. Especially due to the fact that Kevin Durand actually did a decent job in Origins (possibly the lone bright spot). However, the character needs a reboot, and seeing a gargantuan mutant alongside Deadpool would work perfectly. I would personally love to see the ways Deadpool could make fun of Fred Dukes without making one fat joke, since that would be taking the easy road for Wilson.

8. Guardian

Fact: Wade Wilson is Canadian.

Fact: Wolverine is also Canadian.

So, why not bring in Mr. Canada himself? While not technically a mutant, The Guardian did first appear in an X-Men comic, meaning he could be part of their universe (legally speaking). If Chris Evans can’t show up as Captain America., let The Guardian serve as his stand-in. You can make all the Avengers and Canada jokes you want at his expense.

Speaking of the Avengers, you can even make a push to bring in Alpha Flight. This way, Fox can have their own super-team with Canada’s Mightiest Heroes.

9. Mimic

Despite the success of the first Deadpool movie, you’re still probably not bringing in the big guns like Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, Angel or even Iceman. So, why not have them all in one character? Mimic has the powers of all the original X-Men — Cyclops’ eyes, Angel’s wings, etc. If you’re not able to bring in the A-list X-Men, bringing in a B-lister with all the powers of the top tier guys is the next logical step. It’s like five characters for the price of one!

10. Juggernaut

I know, I’m breaking my own rule here since he appeared in X-Men: The Last Stand, but for good reason. Vinnie Jones was a serviceable Juggernaut, but a horrible Cain Marko. He portrayed the character as a mindless, catch phrase-delivering minion, and Juggernaut is far from that description.

If Deadpool, Cable and Domino are going to need a big threat to take out, why not have the biggest mutant threat imaginable. Let the Juggernaut be the big bad villain, and let’s get a proper version complete with red suit and helmet. If Professor X isn’t going to show up, at least his stepbrother can make an appearance.

So, what do you think? Any more X-Men you’d like to see perched on a unicyle in Deadpool 2? If so, let us know in the comment section below!