The “Deadpool” series is already a popular superhero film in the Marvel universe, but many may not know that Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds, who plays “Deadpool,” went above and beyond in his dedication to the first yet-to-be-famous “Deadpool” movie, even going as far as paying the screenwriters out of his own pocket.
The third installment of the “Deadpool” series titled “Deadpool & Wolverine” is the only Marvel movie this year and is set to hit theaters this summer. Not widely known is the amount of effort Ryan Reynolds put in behind-the-scenes during the early stages of the production of these films. Although superhero films in 2016 were believed to have enough budget, it seems that 20th Century Fox, the producer, did not have much confidence in the profit potential of the first “Deadpool” and thus tightened the budget.
According to reports from foreign media, during the making of Marvel’s first R-rated superhero film “Deadpool,” the producers decided not to pay the daily fees to the series’ co-writers Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese; however, Ryan Reynolds, in pursuit of the vision for “Deadpool,” personally funded them to be part of the writing process, even reaching into his own wallet multiple times.
Wernick and Reese, the screenwriters, mentioned on the “Geeking Out” program on AMC in 2016, “We were on the set every day. Interestingly, Ryan Reynolds wanted us there, we’ve been working on this project for six years. It’s actually a core creative team composed of us, Ryan, and the director Tim Miller. Interestingly, Fox didn’t want to pay us, but Ryan Reynolds paid the fees on his own.”
Reportedly, Reynolds even spent $10,000 just to have ‘Deadpool’ wear a t-shirt featuring the likeness of the 80s “Golden Girls” star Bea Arthur, indicating Reynolds’ passion and dedication to this film.
Reynolds spoke about why fans of “Deadpool” are excited not only about the vulgar humor in the series. In an interview with “GQ,” Reynolds said, “I think the emergence of ‘Deadpool’ came at just the right time because it also speaks to that generation and group of people who enjoy watching these comic book movies.”
“I think this film, to some extent, is speaking to them, as if that guy in the red suit is one of them.”
“Deadpool & Wolverine” will premiere on July 24th in Taiwan and on July 26th in the United States.