Ryan Reynolds admitted he was “mortified” to have to cut Rob McElhenney‘s Deadpool & Wolverine cameo, especially after he flew all the way to London to film the sequence.
McElhenney is not only the actor’s close friend but also the co-owner of their Wrexham football club, making it an even more difficult decision. The It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia alum was initially set to appear as a Time Variance Authority soldier in the record-breaking Marvel movie.
“A word on my “darling” friend, @robmcelhenney. Rob very kindly did a cameo in #DeadpoolAndWolverine which will hopefully live on in the digital extras,” Reynold wrote on Instagram Friday. “While editing a movie, they say you “sometimes have to kill your darlings.” And with a heavy heart (and through great outside intervention) I had to kill a darling with this cameo.”
The Free Guy star said they ultimately cut the scene because the “sequence wasn’t working the way we’d originally constructed it.”
“Rob was the only reason it stayed in the cut for as long as it did, because even under a TVA mask and helmet, you can feel him smoldering with a raw and almost infinite reservoir of talent, writerly wit and ‘I create hit tv shows’ swagger,” he said. “Don’t even get me started on Wrexham. I wouldn’t know a love like @wrexham_afc if it weren’t for Rob McElhenney.”
Reynolds went on to explain how “expectation” can sometimes be the most stressful part of making a film, but having loved ones, such as McElhenney, to lean on for support makes it easier.
“I loved making this movie but it wasn’t without stress. There was a lot of expectation — and I’m pretty sure the most well written villain in cinema history is ‘Expectation,’” he added in his Instagram post. “And when you do stressful stuff, it feels good when friends are nearby. And even though I’m mortified he flew all the way to London for a cameo that wasn’t meant to be, I’m grateful my friend was there with me on that set. When I see Rob, my heart-rate slows and my nervous system stops yelling at me. He shows up for people. And he showed up for me.”
“Even as he begged for his life before Alioth snatched his unsuspecting body into the air, swallowing him whole, eventually digesting and converting him into Alioth-poo,” Reynolds concluded. “RIP TVA Soldier.”
Although McElhenney didn’t make it into the final cut of Deadpool & Wolverine, the movie still featured plenty of surprise cameos, including Jennifer Garner reprising Elektra and Wesley Snipes returning as Blade. Channing Tatum also stars as Gambit, with Blake Lively as Lady Deadpool.