Ryan Reynolds’ surprise appearance at San Diego Comic-Con did not receive the universally enthusiastic response he may have expected. The “Deadpool” star crashed Marvel’s “Avengers: Doomsday” presentation on Saturday, July 25, and jokingly attempted to secure a last-minute role in the already-completed blockbuster. While the Hall H exchange was played for laughs, critics online quickly accused Reynolds of being overexposed, inserting himself into another Marvel project, and using the moment as a publicity stunt.
Several online critics dismissed Reynolds’ Comic-Con cameo rather than celebrating the possibility of Deadpool joining “Avengers: Doomsday.”
“Ryan Reynolds begging for a ‘Doomsday’ cameo is pure desperation,” one person wrote. “Deadpool’s already overexposed and Marvel doesn’t need him wrecking another film.”
Another questioned whether the actor’s surprise appearance had been designed primarily to attract attention. “Wait, is this actually real or just another Ryan pr stunt, dude never misses a chance to insert himself into everything; kinda getting old at this point tbh,” the commenter shared.
Others used the Marvel appearance to criticize both Reynolds and his wife, Blake Lively. “Nothing he does will save his career or his wife. They are DONE,” one person declared. Another remarked, “Probably needed a break from his lawsuit-happy wife.”
Robert Downey Jr. Tells Reynolds ‘It’s In The Can’
Reynolds appeared in Hall H as part of Marvel Studios’ presentation for “Avengers: Doomsday,” which is set to introduce “X-Men” characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He joined several confirmed stars onstage, including Robert Downey Jr. and Paul Rudd.
Reynolds’ involvement in the upcoming movie has not been confirmed. He played into that uncertainty by asking the cast when production was scheduled to begin. “It’s in the can, bro,” Downey Jr. responded, confirming that filming had already been completed.
Downey then gestured toward the packed auditorium, where thousands of fans had gathered for information about Marvel’s future. “Look around you,” he told Reynolds. “Did you bump your head?”
Reynolds responded by pretending to be disappointed that his chance to join the film may have already passed. “I see. So there’s no additional photography, no overages, maybe last-minute additions…?” he asked.
The exchange suggested that Reynolds was jokingly lobbying for a Deadpool cameo rather than announcing that Wade Wilson would officially appear in “Doomsday.”
Critics Connect Appearance To Blake Lively’s Legal Drama
Several of the harshest reactions did not focus on Marvel or Deadpool at all. Instead, critics connected Reynolds’ return to the public spotlight with the ongoing controversy surrounding Lively.
One person referenced Reynolds concealing his face during the appearance and alleged that he would have faced a negative reception otherwise. “Makes sense he’s making a public appearance in a mask since he’d be booed showing his face after the train wreck case,” the commenter wrote.
Another speculated that the studio’s release plans had become complicated by the timing of Lively’s legal dispute. “Funny the studio has no choice but to release the film now since it was done when the mess of a lawsuit was happening (and now the fight of their greedy 8 million plus in legal fees lingers) in my view,” the critic shared. “I suppose they could wait a few years, but it seems to me it would likely do even worse by waiting.”
Ryan Reynolds Says Another Deadpool Film Is Coming
Despite the complaints that Deadpool has become “overexposed,” Reynolds has made it clear that he is continuing to develop the character’s future. The actor announced during an April 7 appearance at “Today’s Sunday Sitdown Live” that he had begun drafting another project involving the Merc with a Mouth.
He offered his most direct update yet at Fanatics Fest NYC earlier this month. “There’s a few really deep cuts that are missing from the movies, I think there’s a few deep cuts missing from some of the comics,” Reynolds said in a video shared on X on Sunday, July 19.
He pointed to material written by Deadpool comic creators Fabian Nicieza and Gerry Duggan as possible inspiration. “There’s certainly some stuff that I love that Fabian [Nicieza] wrote that is incredible. Gerry Duggan is a friend and an incredible comic book writer,” Reynolds continued. “There’s stuff coming, there eventually will be another ‘Deadpool’ film.”
Will Deadpool Join ‘Avengers: Doomsday’?
Reynolds last played Wade Wilson in 2024’s “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which earned more than $1.3 billion worldwide.
Although he has repeatedly suggested that he is not rushing into a conventional “Deadpool 4,” the actor has hinted that he is developing a different Marvel project involving the character and members of the X-Men universe.
His unannounced “Doomsday” appearance naturally fueled speculation that Deadpool could still turn up in the movie. However, neither Reynolds nor Marvel confirmed his possible appearance.