Ryan Reynolds elicited a divided response from fans when he appeared in a full Deadpool costume during Marvel's Comic-Con panel in San Diego on Saturday. The actor surprised attendees at the presentation for "Avengers: Doomsday," which marked the first appearance of X-Men characters within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Reynolds, 49, joined fellow "Avengers: Doomsday" stars, including Robert Downey Jr. and Paul Rudd, on stage. His presence fueled speculation about a potential role for Deadpool in the upcoming film. When asked by Downey Jr. about filming, Reynolds playfully inquired about additional photography and last-minute additions, before quipping, "No further questions. Happy Hogan, fetch the Audi. We’re leaving," and dropping the microphone.
Despite the high-profile entrance, some social media users expressed that Reynolds' appearance was "a bit cringe." Comments on platforms like Reddit included sentiments such as "Ryan ‘I need all the attention’ Reynolds" and "I find him annoying as hell."
The actor's public appearance comes after he and his wife, Blake Lively, were reportedly not invited to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's recent wedding. According to reports, Lively's absence from the event may have been influenced by a legal dispute she was involved in. Lively had previously sued Justin Baldoni for alleged defamation and sexual harassment related to their film "It Ends With Us," with Baldoni filing a countersuit for defamation against Lively, Reynolds, and The New York Times. While Baldoni's case was dismissed and most of Lively's claims were settled, the legal entanglement reportedly strained her friendship with Swift, who was subpoenaed during the proceedings.
Sources indicated that Lively was "sad and a little bit p***ed" about being excluded from the wedding, especially given her decade-long friendship with Swift. The situation was further complicated by reports that Travis Kelce unfollowed Reynolds on Instagram.
Reynolds and Lively were seen together in Canada in the days following the wedding. The legal battles involving Lively, Baldoni, and The New York Times concluded in May of this year, with Lively agreeing to a settlement that did not involve monetary payment but allowed her to seek legal fees related to Baldoni's dismissed case against her. Swift's song "My Tears Ricochet" was featured on the soundtrack of Baldoni's 2024 film "It Ends With Us."