Every Superhero Played by Ryan Reynolds
Sarah Parker Ryan Reynolds has grown from a comedy star into an A-list blockbuster leading man, and here's every superhero role he's played to date.
Ryan Reynolds has grown from a comedy star into an A-list blockbuster leading man, and here's every superhero role he's played to date. Back when a fresh-faced Reynolds was starring on the amusingly named sitcom Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place in the early 2000s, and then later headlining the silly Van Wilder, it's doubtful most anticipated he'd be a future Hollywood superstar. In hindsight though, it shouldn't be all that surprising, as his charm, charisma, and comic timing have played a big part in that transition.
It's just that now instead of yucking it up in romantic comedies and over-the-top farces, Reynolds makes people laugh while also beating up bad guys, and sometimes showing off his dramatic chops as well. It seems likely Deadpool/Wade Wilson will end up being Reynolds' signature role, and to his credit, the Canadian actor really doesn't seem to mind that. In fact, he seems to relish every possible opportunity to play Deadpool, even outside of the big screen.
Of course, Deadpool isn't the first superhero character Reynolds has played onscreen. It's actually his third, and here's a quick refresher on Reynolds' past superhero roles. Maybe one day he'll add another to this list, after all, if Josh Brolin can play both Thanos and Cable in the same year, anything is possible.
Hannibal King (Blade: Trinity)
Hannibal King first appeared in Marvel Comics in the 1970s, and was usually portrayed as a private detective, albeit one that had been turned into a vampire against his will. Ryan Reynolds played a version of the character in 2004's Blade: Trinity, as part of a vampire-hunting team called the Nightstalkers that ends up working alongside Blade. While the threequel is generally hated, Reynolds makes Hannibal the best part, as he's always ready with a cutting quip, and actually seems to realize how silly everything is.
Green Lantern (Green Lantern)
Ryan Reynolds' first shot at headlining a superhero movie came with 2011's now infamous Green Lantern, which Reynolds regularly disparages publicly, and memorably included in Deadpool 2's hilarious time travel gags. In hindsight, some would argue that Green Lantern isn't nearly as dreadful as it's made out to be, but make no mistake, it's by no means a good film. Thankfully, Reynolds' true superhero destiny awaited.
Deadpool (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Deadpool & Deadpool 2)
Ryan Reynolds' cinematic tenure as Deadpool/Wade Wilson infamously got off to a terrible start in 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which also got the insult treatment in Deadpool 2. The Merc with a Mouth's mouth got taken away, and well, everyone hated it. Thankfully, Reynolds got to star in a proper Deadpool movie in 2016, which became a huge hit, and led to 2018's Deadpool 2, also a massive success. Disney has said they plan to continue the franchise, and they would truly be foolish not to.
