“Deadpool 2” was set to hit theaters June 1, but that’s no longer the case. Fans will now get to see the movie even earlier, and it seems they can thank “Star Wars” for the switch.

“Deadpool 2” will now be released Friday, May 18. The movie will follow Ryan Reynolds’ smart-mouthed mutant as he meets mercenaries Cable (Josh Brolin) and Domino (Zazie Beetz).

Reynolds announced the new date on social media with a picture of his character’s katanas, named Bea and Arthur.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” the Han Solo prequel starring Alden Ehrenreich, is the reason for the move. The Lucasfilm franchise is known to have a great second weekend turnout. “The Last Jedi” made over $71 million in the second weekend, and “Solo” is expected to have similar success.

The move means that Marvel fans will have a lot to head to the movies for in May. “Avengers: Infinity War” will hit theaters May 4, just two weeks ahead of the “Deadpool” sequel. “Avengers” is owned by Marvel Studios while “Deadpool” is owned by 20th Century Fox. Both companies, in addition to Lucasfilm, are owned by Disney.

Deadpool 2 release date
The “Deadpool 2” release date was moved up two weeks. 20th Century Fox

It seems there is no trouble with the Marvel Cinematic Universe and X-Men franchises being in theaters at the same time. However, it looks like executives still don’t want multiple X-Men movies in theaters at the same time.

According to THR’s anonymous source, the new “Deadpool” date would have created overlap with “New Mutants” at the international box office. The horror-inspired X-Men flick, which was due out in April, will now move to Feb. 22, 2019.

“New Mutants,” directed by Josh Boone (“The Fault In Our Stars”), is a teen-focused X-Men film. Five young adults — played by Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy, Blu Hunt, Charlie Heaton and Henry Zaga — end up in an asylum after they have trouble controlling their mutant abilities. They have to fight their way out.

Another X-Men movie on the move is “Gambit,” starring Channing Tatum. Director Gore Verbinski bowed out of the movie Thursday due to scheduling issues, forcing the long-delayed movie to be pushed back from Feb. 14, 2019 to June 7, 2019.

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