One Dialogue in a Deadpool Comic Predicted Ryan Reynolds’ Billion-dollar Future When He First Came Across the Anti-hero 20 Years Ago
- Ryan Reynolds shares how he feels he was destined to play Deadpool.
- Reynolds did not like the portrayal of Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
- Deadpool & Wolverine is a success, and Reynolds couldn't be more grateful.
Marvel Studios’ recent release, Deadpool & Wolverine, directed by Shawn Levy, is the first R-rated movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as titular characters, the movie follows the duo partnering up to save Deadpool’s universe. The 34th movie in the MCU officially marks the entry of Reynolds and Jackman in the Marvel universe.
Upon its release, the movie received positive comments from the critics and the audience, with special mention of the performances of the lead actors. Ryan Reynolds’ has always been enthusiastic about portraying the character, and a recent post showcased that Deadpool’s future came into the picture when Reynolds came across the character almost 20 years ago.
Ryan Reynolds discusses how portraying Deadpool felt like his destiny
Back in 2016, ahead of the release of Deadpool, Ryan Reynolds spoke to Talks at Google, where he was asked about when he was first introduced to the character. To which he mentioned,
I was on a set of Blade: Trinity. I played a character in that movie that I guess resembles Wade Wilson in Deadpool, and a rival executive at another studio said, ‘I saw a little piece of Blade, and you’re Wade Wilson. You’re Deadpool.
Ryan Reynolds explained that he didn’t know who Deadpool was at the time, but the executive [New Line Cinema’s Jeff Katz] told him that if someday they ever make a movie about Deadpool, he’s the only one who could play him. The Canadian actor further shared that the executive had sent him a bunch of comic books, and even though he is not a fan of comic books, he gravitated towards the character. He noted that in the first issue he opened of Deadpool there is a dialogue where Deadpool says,
I look like a cross between Ryan Reynolds and a Shar Pei.
After reading the dialogue, Reynolds thought it was destiny, and thus he kept reading all the comic books and fell in love with his character. He joked that Deadpool like Meta, keeps breaking the fourth wall by adding that the character makes fun of Ryan Reynolds, and he loves it. The actor also noted that he’s grateful that the studio let them make the movie as a R-rated movie.
Time Miller, as his directorial debut, directed 2016’s Deadpool under 20th Century Fox, and upon release, the movie received a positive response, positioning Reynolds as a fan favorite character. The movie was also praised for its faithfulness to the comic book.
Deadpool had first appeared in 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine but was criticized for the way the character was handled. Later, the actor worked on making the character right, and thus, 2016’s Deadpool premiered.
Ryan Reynolds reflects upon Deadpool & Wolverine’s journey to on-screen
Reynolds might not be the only one behind the success of Deadpool & Wolverine, but he is indeed someone very essential in terms of pushing the movie to happen and keeping the authenticity of his performance intact. In a recent social media post, the actor took the opportunity to take a moment and reflect on the journey from convincing the studios to Hugh Jackman to finally being able to embrace the success. He wrote,
There are way too many people who’ve made pivotal creative contributions to list, but obviously my longtime co-writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (without whom there would be no Deadpool movie), Tim Miller, Mr. David Leitch (who also made Fall Guy—one of the best of summer films), 20th Century Fox, George Dewey, and Kevin Feige. Last on the list but first in my heart: my creative, spiritual (and damn near literal) brothers, Shawn Levy and Hugh Jackman.
The actor continued that it has always been a game of inches and the relentlessness they hit with movies, especially in post-production, which is something that he cannot forget. He also thanked fans for showing up to watch the movie.
Before thanking everyone, Ryan Reynolds wrote that it’s hard to capture the process of making Deadpool & Wolverine, adding that making superhero movies is more fun than anyone can know. The movie, according to Deadline, has managed to gross near about $903.3 million worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing movie of 2024, right behind Inside Out 2.
Deadpool & Wolverine is playing in cinemas.
