Can you believe Ryan Reynolds didn’t make a dime from his acting in Deadpool? It’s true! Despite not earning any cash for his role, he was integral in bringing the beloved anti-hero to the big screen.
It’s almost impossible to think about the superhero universe without Deadpool’s sharp wit and irreverence. Thanks to Reynolds’ relentless commitment, the character has become an essential part of the genre.
Reynolds’ journey with Deadpool began about 20 years ago, long before he became synonymous with the character. His dedication to the project was fueled by sheer passion, knowing well that it might take years to materialize.
In a conversation with The New York Times, Reynolds shared that it took nearly a decade to get the green light for Deadpool. Persistence was key, even though success seemed uncertain at the time.
“No part of me was thinking when ‘Deadpool’ was finally greenlit that this would be a success,” Reynolds confessed.
Against all odds, the 2016 release of Deadpool was a massive hit. But achieving this success required some sacrifices from Reynolds.
He revealed that to keep the project moving, he gave up his acting paycheck. “They wouldn’t allow my co-writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick on set, so I took the little salary I had left and paid them to be on set with me so we could form a de facto writers room,” Reynolds stated.
While Reynolds didn’t earn from acting in Deadpool, he did wear the hat of a producer, which likely compensated him when the project became a commercial success.
Reynolds believes that the lack of resources for Deadpool turned out to be a creative blessing. “I think one of the great enemies of creativity is too much time and money, and that movie had neither time nor money. It really fostered focusing on character over spectacle, which is a little harder to execute in a comic-book movie,” he explained.
His involvement became a labor of love, focusing intensely on every detail. This experience reignited his passion for deep involvement in his projects, not just in Deadpool but in all his future endeavors.
Now, years after the original movie’s triumph, fans are eagerly awaiting the new chapter, Deadpool & Wolverine, where Reynolds teams up with close pal Hugh Jackman. The anticipation is high for what promises to be another blockbuster hit.
Mark your calendars! Deadpool & Wolverine hits theaters on July 26. Don’t miss it!