Ryan Reynolds Talks Deadpool and Oscar Rumors

In the run up to the Academy Awards, Ryan Reynolds spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about his rollercoaster career and the prospects of Deadpool amidst Oscars buzz.

Reynolds produced and starred in Deadpool, the comic book adaptation which was released last February (2016). The film reportedly underwent eleven years of development at several different studios before it was finally made by Fox for a modest $58million (for a comic book movie). The film went on to become one of the biggest hits of 2016 and gained positive reviews. Against all odds, it is now scooping a massive amount of attention in anticipation of imminent Academy Awards nominations, specifically in the ‘Best Picture’ category. We’ll have to wait until January 24th to find out!

Some people will know Canadian-born Reynolds best for his comedy roles, such as the bashful and reluctant character in deportation-dodging rom-com, The Proposal. Others will remember his comic book baptism in Blade: Trinity, or the titular role in the ill-fated Green Lantern. Deadpool was a concept that first crossed his path in 2004, but the labor-of-love took a long time to get going. However, it proved more than worth the wait.


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In the interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Reynolds described his unconventional superhero movie:

“The movie is groundbreaking in a lot of ways. It usurps certain tropes of the superhero genre that were well-ready to be usurped…We were kind of at peak superhero, in terms of tone, and it just offered something completely different in that respect.”

Then, in response to the recent rumors around Deadpool’s shot at the biggest price in town, he said:

“We had no idea we would ever get anything beyond an MTV Movie Award best kiss nomination. If it does end up in that category, I think that’s kind of a cool moment, for not just us, but for everybody — for the people that went to see the movie, the people that made the movie, the studio, even the Academy. I don’t think that any superhero film has ever really broken that glass ceiling, so it would be nice to see one like Deadpool do it.”

In true Reynolds/Deadpool fashion, he promised us a unique response in the event of a nomination, one which we would love to see:

“And I can certainly promise one f—ing crazy reaction video online. In the Deadpool suit. Guaranteed.”

The full and final list of nominations is due to land on January 24th and the 89th Academy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will take place on February 26th at the Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles, broadcast live on ABC, 8.30pm ET.

What are your thoughts on the prospect of Deadpool as ‘Best Picture’? Is it about time a comic book movie got some recognition? Let us know in the comments.

Emma Nicholson
Emma Nicholson
A UK based film nut who got lost on the way home from a Product Design degree in Wales and leapt into postgrad study of the media industries in London. Obsessed with road cycling, Sherlock Holmes (the books too), neo-noir, historical epics and bored of formulaic spectacle. Still waiting for a Hogwarts letter...