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Ryan Reynolds recently addressed a user's mocking remarks on X (formerly Twitter) after his inclusion in Variety's upcoming Actors on Actors series was questioned. The actor, known for his portrayal of Deadpool/Wade Wilson, is paired with Andrew Garfield for the latest season, which premieres on December 9. Garfield, who earned rave reviews for his role in A24's We Live in Time, stars alongside Florence Pugh in a dramatic performance about a husband and father whose wife chooses to forgo cancer treatment.
A user shared the full list of pairings for this season's series, noting the contrast between Garfield's dramatic performance and Reynolds' comedic turn. The now-deleted post read, "Andrew Garfield talking about playing a husband and father whose wife decides to forgo cancer treatment and Ryan Reynolds talking about playing Deadpool." In response, Reynolds took to X to defend both his role and the art of comedy.
He wrote, "Correct. Andrew's a genius. He and Florence are magic together in We Live in Time. They're heartbreaking and charming and spend the entire film in a high-wire act of humanity and constraint. And yes I am Deadpool, but I will take a second and speak up in defence of comedy."
The actor then offered his thoughts on the artistry of both drama and comedy, explaining the nuances of each. "Dramatic work is difficult. And we're also meant to see it's difficult, which is one of the reasons it feels visceral and effective. Comedy is also very difficult. But it has an added dimension in that it's meant to look and feel effortless. You intentionally hide the stitching and unstitching."
Reynolds furthered on, "I think both disciplines are beautiful. And both work beautifully together. Comedy and drama subsist on tension. Both thrive when subverting expectation. Both thrive backstopped by real emotion. And both are deeply subjective. Your favourite comedy might be Anchorman. Mine might be Lars Von Trier's Melancholia."
Reynolds' candid response underlined the complexity and artistry of both genres, stressing their shared emotional depth. His remarks also highlight the duality of his career, where he continues to embrace both comedy and more dramatic roles.
The interview with Reynolds and Garfield will kick off the new season of Actors on Actors, which also features pairings such as Ariana Grande with Paul Mescal, Nicole Kidman with Zendaya, and Saoirse Ronan with Selena Gomez, among others.
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