Image Source: Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds recently appeared on the premiere episode of the latest season of Variety's "Actors on Actors" series where he discussed his hopes for Deadpool to transition into a supporting role, making guest appearances in other characters' solo films. He expressed his belief that Deadpool's characteristics were better suited for assisting as a sidekick rather than leading as a protagonist.
In another interview with The Hollywood Reporter (THR), Reynolds further discussed his future plans for Deadpool. He shared that one of Deadpool's most appealing traits, for him, was that he's a fan, and his enthusiasm and desire to be part of a team are truly captivating. Reynolds noted that this is Deadpool's long-term goal, but he doesn't believe the character should become a member of the Avengers or the X-Men, stating that if he ever truly joined one of those teams, it would signify the end of his story.
Image Source: 20th Century Studios
Reynolds clarified that he didn't mean Deadpool shouldn't appear in Avengers or X-Men films. On the contrary, he believed Deadpool would pair well with the X-Men and Avengers, but he needed to maintain his outsider status. He explained that Deadpool's ultimate dream was to be recognized and appreciated, but he couldn't be truly accepted because his psychological coping mechanism of using humor to deflect shame only worked when it concealed his many shortcomings. Reynolds reiterated that if Deadpool were to genuinely become an Avenger or an X-Man, it would mark the end of his journey.
Regarding a potential follow-up to "Deadpool & Wolverine," Reynolds stated that he had some proposals and ideas, none of which centered solely on Deadpool, as he considered Deadpool an excellent supporting character or co-lead in an ensemble. Therefore, he always hoped Deadpool and Wolverine could team up in some capacity. He added that if one were to make Deadpool the protagonist, the best approach would be to strip everything away from him and push him to the brink, but Reynolds felt he couldn't do that again. Doing it a fourth time would feel repetitive and redundant, though he emphasized this didn't mean sacrificing the fun, as Deadpool still had a fulfilling and robust character arc.
Image Source: People
Reynolds also shared an update on the new script he recently announced he was personally writing—a project that aims to reunite him with Hugh Jackman and "Deadpool & Wolverine" director Shawn Levy (pictured center below). He revealed he was currently on the second draft, stating that the first draft, penned by one of his favorite writers, Jesse Andrews ("Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" screenwriter), was fantastic, and now he was "flying solo" on the revisions.
Reynolds continued, stating that there's no release date or anything else set in stone yet, and he hadn't filmed anything in at least a year. He felt the film required a very shrewd, moderate budget, and not all of it would go to paying the major actors involved. He added that Shawn, Hugh, and he were all willing to make the movie in a flexible way, at an "absolute bargain-basement price."
Image Source: Variety
Reynolds further elaborated on the film's thematic core. He explained that many, many boy band members found themselves in difficult situations due to their managers. The fame they experienced was incredibly difficult for anyone to navigate, let alone teenagers, especially when their self-worth was defined by screaming audiences. This, he noted, led to a kind of cultural arrested development, where they were forever tied to that period of their lives.
Reynolds continued, explaining that he described it as a story about people in their 40s and 50s trying to reclaim their lives, believing it held "some beautiful messages." The film Reynolds is currently writing, titled "Boy Band," will follow a group of former boy band members who reunite in middle age. Paramount Pictures is set to distribute the project, with Reynolds and Levy also serving as producers.