Ryan Reynolds Confirms Fan Suspicions About Deadpool Test Footage Leak

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It’s challenging to conceive of a period when Deadpool wasn’t among Marvel’s most prominent characters, particularly in terms of mainstream and crossover appeal, but that was indeed the case in 2014. Though Deadpool was cherished in the comic book realm, the character faced hurdles in reaching the silver screen. However, everything transformed when a test footage for a Deadpool film starring Ryan Reynolds surfaced online, igniting such enthusiasm that 20th Century Fox promptly approved the movie, thereby catapulting the character to superstardom. The identity of the individual who released that footage remained unknown, but Reynolds has finally disclosed the long-awaited answer to that mystery.

Reynolds conversed with moderator Anita Lee during the Toronto International Film Festival about what instigated the production of Deadpool by Fox. It was then that he verified rumors about who had leaked the test footage in 2014 (through EW). ‘Yes, I bent the rules a bit,’ Reynolds admitted, ‘but I believe I sensed something that would pique people’s interest. And I’m thankful I followed my instincts, and I’m grateful for making the wrong move at that moment.’

A Battle to the Big Screen

Reynolds reminisced about the challenges in bringing Deadpool to the silver screen, with the journey starting back in 2012. It was then that Tim Miller and Reynolds collaborated on creating a test footage for an R-rated Deadpool film, which they later presented to 20th Century Fox. However, their efforts eventually encountered obstacles.

Reynolds mentioned that he had filmed test footage for it several years ago, but the studio didn’t show interest. He attributed this to their general reluctance towards R-rated superhero movies and the limited mainstream appeal of Deadpool back then.

Reynolds stated that Deadpool was considered an obscure character at the time. Many people weren’t familiar with him, but Reynolds adored him due to his self-awareness about being in a comic book film. This was unique and fresh, as it had a meta aspect. The test footage for the character was already made, yet no one wanted to develop it further.

In this instance, Reynolds admitted he was responsible for leaking the footage, and there came a moment when he was quite tense about the outcome. He stated, “Some jerk uploads it online, and I’m looking at myself in the mirror while brushing my teeth, thinking something like, ‘Man, what have you done? This could be illegal!’ However, public pressure eventually compelled the studio to commit to producing the film, and within 24 hours, the movie was given the go-ahead.

The Rest is History

In simpler terms, the first Deadpool movie turned out to be a massive success for everyone involved, considering its initial budget of $58 million was dwarfed by the global box office earnings of over $782 million. This film not only boosted 20th Century Fox and later Disney’s portfolio but also catapulted Ryan Reynolds into even greater stardom with that role.

In 2018, Deadpool 2 hit the screens with an increased budget of $110 million. Despite this, it managed to rake in an impressive $785 million worldwide at the box office. This success paved the way for the upcoming franchise installment, Deadpool & Wolverine in 2024, which shattered records by earning a staggering $1.3 billion at the box office – the highest gross for the series so far.

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2025-09-06 18:12