Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman have been movie stars for two decades. They have had their fair share of flops, including one together, but they have also managed to endure thanks to their spirited performances as the iconic superheroes Deadpool and Wolverine, respectively.
Reynolds and Jackman are friends in real life, and their chemistry translated well to the big screen with Deadpool & Wolverine. The film was the lone bright spot in a year characterized by massive flops in the superhero genre. Reynolds and Jackman have decided to run it back, but this time, they will be sidestepping the genre that made them household names.
Reynolds is writing a new film with Jackman in mind
Ryan Reynolds recently appeared on the Awards Circuit Podcast for Variety, and he revealed that he's working on a screenplay that will reunite him with Jackman and Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy:
"I’m spending the year writing. I’m writing a movie for myself, Hugh and Shawn to do that is not Marvel."
While a bit surprising, the decision to bring back these three creative forces makes complete sense. Reynolds and Levy have proven to be a successful duo with the films Free Guy and The Adam Project in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The latter grossed a whopping $331 million at the global box office.
Shawn Levy will return to direct the acting duo
Jackman has also found success with Shawn Levy behind the camera. The two men collaborated on Real Steel, the 2011 sci-fi film that not only earned positive reviews and grossed a solid $300 million at the box office.
Reynolds and Jackman, meanwhile, have been teasing their onscreen chemistry ever since they thoroughly botched their first outing together, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, in 2009.
Both men have worked to redeem their respective Marvel characters, but the fact that they are linking up for an original film is one of the strongest indicators yet that superhero films are not the cottage industry they once were. Which isn't such a bad thing.