Ryan Reynolds was “embarrassed” to cut Rob McElhenney's scene from “Deadpool & Wolverine” because his friend and Wrexham Football Club co-owner had flown to London to film it. McElhenney had filmed scenes for the hit Marvel movie as a Time Variance Corps soldier but they did not appear in the film. Reynolds wants the scenes to “continue to be digital extras”.
“When editing a movie, they say sometimes you have to kill the ones you love. With a heavy heart (and thanks to some amazing outside intervention) I had to kill the ones you love with this short take,” Reynolds wrote on Instagram, along with photos of McElhenney in character during filming.
“The sequence didn’t work the way we originally designed it,” Reynolds explained. “Rob was the only reason he stayed in the edit for so long, because even under the TVA mask and helmet, you could feel him glowing with an endless supply of raw talent, writing savvy, and ‘I make hit TV’ braggadocio. Don’t even get me started on Wrexham. I wouldn’t have known a love like Wrexham if it weren’t for Rob McElhenney.”
“Anyway, I loved making this movie but it wasn’t without tension,” Reynolds continued. “There was a lot of anticipation – and I’m pretty sure the best villain ever written in the history of cinema is ‘Anticipation.’ And when you’re doing stressful things, you feel good when your friends are there. And while I’m mortified that he traveled all the way to London for a cameo that wasn’t supposed to happen, I’m grateful that my friend was there with me on that set. When I see Rob, my heart rate slows down and my nervous system stops screaming at me. He shows up for people. He shows up for me.”
Although McElhenney did not appear in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” several other surprise characters did appear in the film, including Channing Tatum as Gambit, Wesley Snipes as Blade, Jennifer Garner as Elektra, and Chris Evans as Johnny Storm. These surprise cameos helped “Deadpool & Wolverine” become the highest-grossing film of all time, grossing $1.15 billion and counting.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” is now showing in theaters nationwide.
