Ryan Reynolds, a popular actor known for his comedic roles and larger-than-life on-screen persona, has played the character of Wade Wilson, also known as Deadpool, in the X-Men universe. But his journey into the X-Men franchise didn’t start with Deadpool. He first appeared in a Wolverine movie, and his portrayal of the character raised many questions among fans. In this article, we will explore which Wolverine movie Ryan Reynolds appeared in, how his role evolved, and what impact it had on his later portrayal of Deadpool.
Ryan Reynolds’ First Appearance as Wade Wilson in X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Ryan Reynolds first appeared in a Wolverine film in 2009, X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Directed by Gavin Hood, X-Men Origins: Wolverine was the first solo film in the X-Men series that focused on Wolverine’s backstory, played by Hugh Jackman. The movie takes place before the events of the main X-Men films and provides insight into Logan/Wolverine’s past, including his time in a government weapons program.
Reynolds was cast in X-Men Origins: Wolverine as Wade Wilson, a former special forces operative who undergoes experiments that turn him into a weapon. Wade Wilson eventually becomes the antihero Deadpool, but in this film, he was far from the version fans would later come to know and love in the Deadpool films.
The Character of Wade Wilson in X-Men Origins: Wolverine
In X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Wade Wilson is introduced as a wisecracking mercenary who works alongside Wolverine in the Weapon X program. He is known for his quick wit and cocky attitude, but the character in the film is far more conventional compared to the version of Deadpool Ryan Reynolds later portrayed. In this early appearance, Wade Wilson has superhuman abilities and a regenerative healing factor, similar to Wolverine, but with a much more flamboyant and talkative personality.
However, the most significant issue for fans came at the end of the movie. Wade Wilson, after being subjected to the Weapon X program’s experiments, is transformed into a disfigured version of Deadpool, or Weapon XI. This version of Deadpool is a far cry from the wise-cracking, fourth-wall-breaking character fans are familiar with in the Deadpool comics and Deadpool films. Instead, the Weapon XI Deadpool is a mute, emotionless character who has his mouth sewn shut and wields blades and other weapons. This portrayal was widely criticized for straying too far from the source material, leaving many fans disappointed with the way Reynolds’ character was handled.
Fans React to Ryan Reynolds’ Portrayal of Wade Wilson
Ryan Reynolds was a good fit for the role of Wade Wilson based on his natural humor, charisma, and ability to deliver rapid-fire one-liners. Fans had high expectations for the character, but many were left confused and frustrated by the way the filmmakers chose to portray Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
One of the most significant critiques was the drastic departure from the original comic book version of Deadpool. In the comics, Wade Wilson is known for his irreverent humor, tendency to break the fourth wall, and even his moral ambiguity. Fans felt that the movie had stripped him of everything that made the character so unique. Instead of a sarcastic, self-aware antihero, we got a character who barely resembled Deadpool.
The decision to sew Deadpool’s mouth shut was one of the most jarring changes, as Deadpool is known for his tendency to talk incessantly, often breaking the fourth wall to engage directly with the audience. Fans were not pleased with the movie’s attempt to transform Deadpool into a silent, stoic killer, and it’s fair to say that this version of the character was not well received.
How Ryan Reynolds Got Another Shot at Deadpool
Despite the negative reception of his first portrayal of Deadpool, Ryan Reynolds wasn’t ready to give up on the character. Reynolds himself was vocal about his disappointment with the X-Men Origins: Wolverine portrayal, and he knew that there was much more to Deadpool than what was shown in that movie.
Reynolds’ opportunity to redeem his portrayal came with the release of Deadpool in 2016. Directed by Tim Miller and produced by 20th Century Fox, Deadpool was a more faithful adaptation of the character that Reynolds had always wanted to play. With a bigger budget, creative freedom, and an R-rated script that embraced the character’s humor, irreverence, and fourth-wall-breaking nature, Deadpool became a huge commercial success.
In this film, Reynolds finally got the chance to portray the real Wade Wilson/Deadpool—an irreverent, sarcastic, and unpredictable character who was as dangerous as he was hilarious. This version of Deadpool was much closer to the comic book character that fans had been hoping for, and Reynolds’ performance was lauded by critics and audiences alike. It cemented his status as the definitive Deadpool.
The Legacy of Ryan Reynolds’ First Wolverine Appearance
Even though Ryan Reynolds’ first appearance as Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine was largely a disappointment for fans, it played a significant role in the evolution of the character. The film set the stage for Reynolds to bring Deadpool to the big screen in a more authentic way, and his experience in X-Men Origins: Wolverine served as the catalyst for his determination to make the character his own.
For many fans, X-Men Origins: Wolverine was a misstep, but it wasn’t the end of Deadpool’s cinematic journey. After the success of Deadpool in 2016 and its sequel, Deadpool 2 in 2018, Reynolds’ portrayal of the character became iconic, and his work on the Deadpool films helped to redefine how comic book characters are portrayed on-screen. The Deadpool films became a cultural phenomenon, not only for their humor and irreverence but also for their ability to bring a truly unique and authentic character to life.
Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool in the X-Men Universe
In addition to the Deadpool films, Ryan Reynolds’ portrayal of Wade Wilson was later referenced in other X-Men films. Deadpool made a cameo appearance in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), where he is shown to be in a fight with Cable, a character introduced in Deadpool 2. This cameo served to further solidify Reynolds’ connection to the X-Men universe, even though the Deadpool films technically exist in a separate timeline.
Moreover, when Deadpool was officially brought into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as part of Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, fans began speculating whether Reynolds would cross over into the broader MCU. Though this has not happened yet, it shows the lasting impact of Reynolds’ portrayal of Deadpool on the X-Men and superhero movie franchises in general.
Conclusion
Ryan Reynolds’ first appearance as Wade Wilson in X-Men Origins: Wolverine may have been a disappointment, but it laid the groundwork for a much more successful and faithful portrayal of Deadpool in the Deadpool films. The 2009 film showed a version of the character that was far from the wise-cracking, fourth-wall-breaking antihero fans had come to love in the comics, but it was an important stepping stone in Reynolds’ journey to becoming the definitive Deadpool on-screen.
While X-Men Origins: Wolverine is far from the highlight of the X-Men franchise, it is undeniable that Reynolds’ performance, even in that version of Deadpool, helped shape his eventual success in the Deadpool films. Ultimately, Ryan Reynolds’ portrayal of Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine was just the beginning of his journey as one of the most beloved comic book characters in film history.
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