Ryan Reynolds on Why Rob McElhenney’s ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Cameo Got Cut: “Sometimes Have to Kill Your Darlings”

Ryan Reynolds on Why Rob McElhenney’s ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Cameo Got Cut: “Sometimes Have to Kill Your Darlings”

As a seasoned gamer and movie enthusiast with a penchant for Marvel movies, I can’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment upon learning that Rob McElhenney’s cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine was cut. Having followed the journey of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney from their on-screen antics in Deadpool to their off-screen camaraderie as co-owners of Wrexham FC, I feel a personal connection to this story.


Ryan Reynolds confessed that he felt deeply embarrassed when he had to delete Rob McElhenney’s cameo from the movie “Deadpool & Wolverine“. This embarrassment grew even stronger after he traveled all the way to London to shoot that particular scene.

McElhenney isn’t just a close friend of the actor, but they also jointly own their football club in Wrexham, making his decision even more challenging. Originally, the star from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” had been scheduled to play a Time Variance Authority soldier in the blockbuster Marvel film.

As a filmmaker with years of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that making tough decisions is part and parcel of the creative process. One such decision I had to make recently was cutting a beloved cameo from my friend Rob McElhenney in the upcoming project “Deadpool & Wolverine.” It’s always bittersweet to let go of something precious, but sometimes it’s necessary for the greater good of the film.

The actor from the movie “Free Guy” explained that they removed a particular scene since the sequence wasn’t functioning as intended in its original arrangement.

“Rob was the only reason it stayed in the cut for as long as it did, because even under a TVA mask and helmet, you can feel him smoldering with a raw and almost infinite reservoir of talent, writerly wit and ‘I create hit tv shows’ swagger,” he said. “Don’t even get me started on Wrexham. I wouldn’t know a love like @wrexham_afc if it weren’t for Rob McElhenney.”

Reynolds elaborated that often, anticipation can prove to be the most challenging aspect when creating a movie, yet having someone like McElhenney, who offers comfort and support, significantly eases this burden.

“I truly enjoyed creating this film, yet it wasn’t without its challenges. There were immense expectations, and I believe the toughest antagonist in cinematic history is ‘Expectation.’ As difficult as it was, having friends around made it all worthwhile. Despite Rob flying over from afar for a cameo that didn’t quite materialize as planned, I can’t help but feel grateful to have him with me on set. Whenever I’m with Rob, my heart calms down and my body stops getting anxious. He is always there for his friends. And in this case, he was there for me.”

“Although the TVA soldier pleaded to spare his life, Alioth suddenly lifted him off the ground, gobbling him up without warning. Eventually, Alioth digested and transformed him into its own waste, which is a tragic end for the TVA soldier,” Reynolds summarized, offering his condolences with “RIP TVA Soldier.”

Although McElhenney didn’t make it into the final cut of Deadpool & Wolverine, the movie still featured plenty of surprise cameos, including Jennifer Garner reprising Elektra and Wesley Snipes returning as Blade. Channing Tatum also stars as Gambit, with Blake Lively as Lady Deadpool.

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2024-08-24 04:54