Sorry, Will Smith: 'Deadpool' Star Ryan Reynolds Has No Clue Who Your Deadshot Is
Ryan Reynolds huddles with some Deadpool mini-mes at SDCC 2015. (Photo: Marcus Errico for Yahoo)
Editor’s note: An altered version of this story originally appeared in July 2015 as part of our Comic-Con coverage. It has been revised for this week’s release of Suicide Squad.
Months before Ryan Reynolds dominated this year’s box office, he blew away San Diego Comic-Con 2015 with a Deadpool trailer that left fans screaming for more. As everyone knows by now, Reynolds starred in the Marvel-based film from 20th Century Fox as the “Merc with a Mouth,” an unhinged killing machine in a distinctive scarlet suit.
Deadpool ready for action. (Photo: 20th Century Fox)
Meanwhile, back at last year’s Comic-Con, a few hours before the Deadpool showcase, Will Smith received an anti-hero’s welcome when he took the stage for a sneak peek at Suicide Squad. The Warner Bros. adaptation of the DC comic book, which arrives in theaters Friday, features Smith as Deadshot, “the man who cannot miss,” a ruthless hit man who also sports a red-hued costume.
Deadshot suited up. (Photo: Warner Bros.)
While most comic-book nerd debate through the years has centered around Deadpool vs. another DC character called Deathstroke, fanboys have also happily engaged in several rounds of the “who would win” game between Deadpool and Deadshot. We figured with Smith and Reynolds known for their jocularity and amped-up boosterism for their respective films, there might be a budding rivalry between the actors over whose character is the most kick-ass. Or at least we could get one going.
Related: Will Smith Says Playing Deadshot ‘Was Huge Growth Experience’
So when Reynolds came by the Yahoo suite before his Comic-Con panel last year, we asked him the obvious: Who would win, Deadpool or Deadshot? We thought we’d get some good smack talk from the always-game Reynolds. Boy, were we wrong.
“Who’s Deadshot? I’m really not familiar with that character,” Reynolds said, quite sincerely. “Sorry, I just don’t know who that is.”
Oof. This battle was over before it could get started.
Here’s more of Reynolds meeting Deadpool cosplayers:
