Ryan Reynolds recently paid tribute to his ‘darling friend’ Rob McElhenney on Instagram by sharing the story behind the actor’s deleted cameo in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine.’
“Rob very kindly did a cameo in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine,’ which will hopefully live on in the digital extras,” he wrote under McElhenney’s photos from the set. “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 ‘Deadpool’ actor and co-writer explained, “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. Don’t even get me started on Wrexham. I wouldn’t know a love like Wrexham FC if it weren’t for Rob McElhenney.”
McElhenney served as a writer and director in several projects like ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ throughout his career. He also became a co-owner of Wrexham FC football club after purchasing a 5% share in April.
“Anyway, I loved making this movie, but it wasn’t without stress,” Reynolds continued. “There was a lot of expectation — and I’m pretty sure the most well-written villain in cinema history is ‘Expectation.’ 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. RIP, TVA Soldier,” he added.
The actor also noted that McElhenney ‘would make an awesome Hydra Bob.’ The ex-Hydra agent and Deadpool’s sidekick in the Marvel comics made his first appearance in 2016’s ‘Deadpool,’ played by Rob Hayte. Based on Reynolds’ words, there may be a chance to see the character again in the future.
