Becoming the merc with the mouth
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In 2004, Ryan Reynolds learned about the comic book character Deadpool and his quip about looking like a cross between him and a shar-pei; that was when he became interested in becoming the character. Ryan then got a cameo as Deadpool in the 2009 superhero film X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which expanded to include additional scenes. Fans hated that role as the script made the character different from how he was in the comics, a person known for talking couldn't talk.
A Deadpool film had been in the works since 2000 but was shelved for one reason or another, but Fox Studio decided to move forward with writing a script for it in 2010. Even as late as 2014, Fox wasn't sure if they would go ahead and make the film due to the risk of an R-rated movie, Reynolds' turn as the Green Lantern failing at the box office, and the uniqueness of the script. Some test footage was filmed in 2014 and leaked to the public to rave reviews, finally leading to approval.
Even with the green light, Fox didn't give the movie a typical superhero movie budget due to the risks; they set it at $58 million, which was less than half of the lowest recent Marvel superhero movie budget. This low budget caused the script to cut some action scenes and led to a unique marketing plan, with Reynolds bombarding various unconventional avenues as the Deadpool character. Ryan as Deadpool would break the fourth wall through social media, videos, and appearances to market the film.
The film was released in 2016 to massive box office and critical success. It fittingly turned Ryan into a major star as he was the champion for the project throughout all this, nearly twelve years after he first became interested.
Quotes
And he said he looks like a cross between a Shar-Pei and Ryan Reynolds. And I was like, I really, really wanna play this guy at some point. I thought it was pretty cool. It's a guy that knows he's in a comic book.
Ryan Reynolds
It took 11 years...I tried to make it happen for all that time, but the fans got it made.
Ryan Reynolds
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References
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MCU: 5 Movies With The Biggest Budget (And 5 With The Smallest)
The movie was a cheap affair—well, cheap for Hollywood’s standards—and was made on a production budget of just $130,000,000.
ScreenRant
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How Ryan Reynolds Became ‘Deadpool’s’ Marketing Rebel
Reynolds was intimately involved with the campaign from the outset, an unusual role for an actor, says Fox domestic marketing chief Marc Weinstock.
The Hollywood Reporter
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Did ‘Deadpool’ Director Tim Miller Leak the Test Footage That Launched a Franchise?
In the case of Deadpool, the hard-R-rated superhero movie that just made history with a $132.7 million opening weekend, it was the leak of early test footage (and the ensuing enthusiastic response) that spurred a reluctant studio into making the film after years of indecision.
The Hollywood Reporter
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Ryan Reynolds says it took 11 years for Deadpool to get made
Speaking on tonight's (January 29) Graham Norton Show, the star recalled how difficult it was to receive the green light for the movie.
Digital Spy
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Ryan Reynolds Talks Deadpool & Spinoff Possibilities
Both sites posed similar questions in their meetings with Reynolds and the major common thread was about a potential Deadpool spinoff movie of which we’ve heard rumblings about ever since Ryan was attached for the part, even before the studio (Fox) had the rights to the character.
ScreenRant
