Deadpool fans want character to host Saturday Night Live

A die-hard Deadpool fan has launched an online petition to get Ryan Reynolds' cocky superhero character a hosting gig on Saturday Night Live.

Andrew Stege has created a change.org petition urging SNL boss Lorne Michaels to consider asking Reynolds to front an upcoming episode of the sketch comedy show in character.

"I have not watched a full episode of SNL in years because I just haven't been able to stomach an entire episode'" Stege writes, "but having Deadpool host, star, and be all over the episode would get the DVR set so I can watch it again and again!!!"

As of Friday morning (19Feb16) in New York, more than 52,000 people had signed the petition.

Reynolds' new Deadpool character set the box office alight last weekend (12-14Feb16) and shattered shattered February (16) records in the process.

If Deadpool lands a hosting spot on SNL, he will become the first fictional character to front an entire episode in the show's 41-year history.