Six actresses in running for female lead in X-Men's Deadpool

Six actresses are in the running for the female leading role in new X-Men spin-off Deadpool, according to reports. 

According to Deadline, Orange Is The New Black's Taylor Schilling and Homeland's Monica Baccarin are two of the leading contenders for the role, which would see them play opposite Ryan Reynolds. 

Also linked with the role are Teen Wolf's Crystal Reed, Red Band Society's Rebecca Rittenhouse, Vikings' Sarah Greene and Arrow's Jessica De Gouw

Visual effects supervisor Tim Miller will make his debut as a director on the movie, which will film in Vancouver, the same location where much of X-Men: Days Of Future Past was shot. 

Reynolds made his debut as Deadpool, who is also known as Wade Wilson, in 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The character has a number of powers, including vastly accelerated healing and incredible stamina. He is also an expert in a number of martial arts. 

The film is due to be released on February 12th in 2016, three months before X-Men: Apocalypse hits cinemas.