FROM SPLASH PAGE: When I spoke to former 20th Century Fox exec (and regular comics writer) Jeff Katz last month about his experience on the set of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," he had a lot to say about Hugh Jackman's "bad-ass" performance as Wolverine. But Jackman wasn't the only "Wolverine" star Katz raved about during our conversation.

The comics-savvy Katz gushed about Ryan Reynolds' portrayal of the "Merc with a Mouth," Deadpool, as well as Taylor Kitsch's performance as the card-tossing Cajun mutant, Gambit -- and offered up a unique insider's perspective on what it took to bring both of these fan-favorite characters to the big screen.

For more on Gambit and Deadpool's on-screen premiere, as well as spin-off possibilities, head over to MTV.com.

Given that Ryan Reynolds recently suggested that a potential Flash movie might have only died a comic-book death, you'd think asking him what graphic character he'd be most excited to play would be met with a fairly predictable answer. Think again. Faster than the Flash could ever be, Reynolds says the super he's most dying to play is Wade Wilson.

"I've always wanted to do 'Deadpool,' " he enthused, his voice taking on the air of unbridled geek excitement. "I think I would forgo anything to play it in some incarnation."

The "Merc With a Mouth," Wilson is a sarcastic, scheming hero known for his wisecracks and black humor. In other words, a perfect fit for the acerbic Reynolds.

"He's a derivative of the Weapons X program," Reynolds explained of the character's origins (it's the same program, incidentally, that plays so prominently in the backstory of Wolverine). "They turned him into a puddle and shipped him off. Just left him for dead. But he came back with all these mutant powers. And he's pissed off — in a full-fledged, I'm gonna get you way." Read more...