Ryan Reynolds Told Shawn Levy That He Would Not Play Deadpool Again Without Him
While portraying Deadpool has turned Ryan Reynolds into a global superstar and given him the biggest hits of his career, it was no sure thing that the actor would return for a third installment in the franchise.
At the time, there was an aura of uncertainty surrounding Deadpool 3. At the time, although the first two installments in the franchise were clear blockbusters, it was unclear what Disney would do with the character following their purchase of 20th Century Fox.
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Photo: Marvel
Interestingly, in a recent interview with Deadline, Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy revealed that Reynolds told him that he would only reprise his role as Deadpool if Levy was directing the film.
“Hugh (Jackman), in like 2011, Hugh said, ‘You know, if you ever meet Ryan Reynolds and work with him, you’re never going to stop.’ He said that over a decade ago,” Levy said.
![Shawn Levy](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-2023-08-01-at-09-58-26-Shawn-Levy-in-Early-Talks-to-Direct-‘Star-Wars-Film-Following-‘Deadpool-3.png)
![Shawn Levy](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-2023-08-01-at-09-58-26-Shawn-Levy-in-Early-Talks-to-Direct-‘Star-Wars-Film-Following-‘Deadpool-3.png)
Photo: Variety
“And it took several years before I met Ryan, but the first time we met to talk about Free Guy, it was clear that we’d both had successful careers, but we were meeting in the right moment. We’re old enough to know a really good thing when we stumble into it and not let go. And Free Guy led into The Adam Project. It was on the set of Adam Project that Ryan told me he only wanted to do Deadpool 3 if I directed it. And I remember him going, ‘I know, I know, you’re going to say no.’ And I’m like, ‘I’m not gonna say no. I’m definitely saying yes.'”
Jackman Was Not Initially Involved
Though Jackman had predicted that Levy and Reynolds would be fast friends, he was not yet attached to Deadpool 3 when Levy decided that he would direct. That surprise came later.
![Ryan Reynolds Hugh Jackman](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-29-at-13-46-43-A-full-timeline-of-Ryan-Reynolds-and-Hugh-Jackmans-12-year-feud-e1717017171336.png)
![Ryan Reynolds Hugh Jackman](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-29-at-13-46-43-A-full-timeline-of-Ryan-Reynolds-and-Hugh-Jackmans-12-year-feud-e1717017171336.png)
Photo: People
“And that was before I knew we would get the greatest gift imaginable for a Deadpool movie, which is Hugh Jackman saying, ‘I’m in. I want in,'” Levy continued.
“And when it became Deadpool & Wolverine, it became a whole different story, and the majesty of the movie, the fun of the movie, the story potential of the movie changed completely. Because then it becomes a descendent of the great buddy, at each other’s throats, shoved together through circumstance genre.”
![Deadpool 3 Wolverine Yellow suit Hugh Jackman](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Deadpool-3-Wolverine-Yellow-Costume-Hugh-Jackman-e1712994348190-1024x568.jpg)
![Deadpool 3 Wolverine Yellow suit Hugh Jackman](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Deadpool-3-Wolverine-Yellow-Costume-Hugh-Jackman-e1712994348190-1024x568.jpg)
Photo: Hugh Jackman on Instagram
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’
In the end, the formation of Deadpool & Wolverine could not have worked out better. The combined talents of Reynolds, Jackman, and Levy have created a film that looks primed to have the best opening ever for an R-rated film and will, in all likelihood, be the biggest film of 2025.
![Deadpool & Wolverine](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-09-at-11-02-42-Deadpool-Wolverine-BestFriendsDay-1024x576.png)
![Deadpool & Wolverine](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-09-at-11-02-42-Deadpool-Wolverine-BestFriendsDay-1024x576.png)
Photo: Marvel
It is a good thing that Levy said “yes.”
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