Ryan Reynolds Defends Comedy in Response to Criticism Over ‘Actors on Actors’ Pairing

Deadpool Meets Drama: Reynolds Champions Comedy’s Depth Amid Varied Performances

Ryan Reynolds recently addressed online criticism surrounding his inclusion in Variety’s upcoming “Actors on Actors” series. The actor, best known for his comedic turn as Deadpool in Marvel’s record-breaking blockbuster Deadpool and Wolverine, is paired with Andrew Garfield, who garnered acclaim for his dramatic role in A24’s We Live in Time.

The backlash stemmed from a now-deleted post on X, where a user mocked the pairing, comparing Garfield’s nuanced portrayal of a grieving husband to Reynolds’ portrayal of Deadpool. Reynolds replied with a mix of humor and insight, praising Garfield’s work while defending the craft of comedy.

“Correct. Andrew’s a genius,” Reynolds wrote. “He and Florence [Pugh] are magic together in We Live in Time. They’re heartbreaking and charming and spend the entire film in a high-wire act of humanity and constraint. And yes, I am Deadpool, but I will take a second and speak up in defense of comedy.”

Reynolds elaborated on the challenges of comedic acting, emphasizing its subtlety: “Dramatic work is difficult. And we’re also meant to see it’s difficult, which is one of the reasons it feels visceral and effective. Comedy is also very difficult, but it has an added dimension in that it’s meant to look and feel effortless. You intentionally hide the stitching and unstitching.”

He highlighted the shared DNA of comedy and drama, noting their reliance on tension, subverting expectations, and evoking real emotions. Reynolds capped off his argument by calling both genres “beautiful” yet deeply subjective, quipping, “Your favorite comedy might be Anchorman. Mine might be Lars Von Trier’s Melancholia.”

Correct. Andrew’s a genius. He and Florence are magic together in, WE LIVE IN TIME. They’re heartbreaking and charming and spend the entire film in a high-wire act of humanity and constraint. And yes I am Deadpool BUT I will take a second and speak up in defense of comedy.…

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 6, 2024

Reynolds and Garfield’s interview will kick off Variety’s new season of “Actors on Actors” on Dec. 9, alongside other notable pairings like Ariana Grande with Paul Mescal, Nicole Kidman with Zendaya, and Angelina Jolie with Cynthia Erivo.

Meanwhile, Deadpool and Wolverine has cemented Reynolds’ comedic legacy, earning $1.3 billion at the global box office to become the highest-grossing R-rated film ever. The performance even puts Reynolds in the running for a Golden Globe nomination in the Best Actor – Musical or Comedy category, according to Variety’s Clayton Davis.

Reynolds’ thoughtful defense of comedy proves that while the laughs may come easily to audiences, the craft behind them deserves recognition alongside the most celebrated dramas.