Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman Pay Tribute to “Deadpool & Wolverine” Art Director Following His Death at 56

Marvel Studios shared a statement on April 24 announcing the art director, who was 56, had died

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman are honoring Marvel Studios' art director Ray Chan following his death at age 56.

The costars shared their “devastated” reactions to the loss of Chan, whom they worked with on Deadpool & Wolverine, in posts on April 26, after the 56-year-old art director and production designer's death was announced earlier this week.

Marvel Studios confirmed Chan’s death in a statement on April 24. The late filmmaker was credited for helping “imagine and design the Marvel Cinematic Universe” after joining the studio on Thor: Dark World (2013). Chan was reported to have died on Tuesday in Wales where he resided, per Variety.

“RIP Ray Chan,” Reynolds, 47, began in a tribute statement on X (formerly Twitter) following the news, “Words are pretty inadequate in comparison to this loss.”

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“There's an incomparable reservoir of skill, tender grit and talent no longer with us. As Production Designer, he was as important a creative force on Deadpool & Wolverine as the writers, director and stars,” he continued. “I don't pretend to know every chapter of Ray's heart, but I know it's unusual to encounter someone with that level of artistry, who simultaneously moved through the world with such an indelible humanity.”

Reynolds praised Chan for his work in building the Marvel universe, adding that he was “just awesome to be around” and he “will be missed by everyone.”

The actor concluded his tribute by recalling his final moments with Chan during reshoots for Deadpool & Wolverine earlier in April.

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“The last time I saw Ray was exactly two weeks ago,” he wrote. “One of last things I said to him was that he makes magic and there's nobody on earth like him. Generally, he and I gave each other a lot of good-natured s—. So ... of all the final things you could say to someone you adore, that's a little scrap of consolation I'll hang onto forever.”

Jackman, 55, paid tribute to Chan on his Instagram Stories, writing, “... There was not a day shooting when I didn't marvel at what he created. He created magic. There was this look in his eyes. The look of a man who loved his craft. I've had the pleasure of working with some of the best in the business. Ray was at the very top!”

“We did a bit more shooting two weeks ago, For that I will be forever grateful,” he continued. “It not only gave us the opportunity to fine tune our film but it gave us the bonus of time with Ray. Time for him to finish the job he loves so much. He told a great story. And man – I am so honored to have played a role.”

Jackman shared his condolences to Chan’s family before concluding, “Rest well, Ray Chen. Rest well.”

Chan was born in 1967 in Greater Manchester in England where he was raised by his parents, who immigrated to the United Kingdom from Hong Kong, per Variety. He attended the Liverpool School of Art where he studied graphic design before embarking on a career in film and commercial art.

Chan’s Marvel credits include Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Strange, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, the last three Avengers films, and Deadpool & Wolverine — starring Reynolds and Jackman — which arrives in theaters on July 26.

Head of Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige and executive producer Louis D’Esposito said of Chan in the April 24 statement that, "Ray was first and foremost a good friend to everyone at Marvel Studios. He was a talented collaborator who brought creativity and attention to detail to every frame of every movie he worked on and who was able to bring out the best in each department he worked with.”

"... We are devastated by his passing. He will be missed by everyone at Marvel, and our sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends."

Chan is survived by his wife Lindsay and children Caspar and Sebastian.

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