Why Morena Baccarin Hated Kissing Ryan Reynolds: The Shocking Secret Behind the Deadpool Mask

When Morena Baccarin stepped into the role of Vanessa Carlysle, the girlfriend and later fiancée of Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) in the Deadpool films, she shared many intimate and emotional moments with Reynolds. However, there was one particular aspect of their relationship on screen that Baccarin found less than enjoyable: kissing Reynolds while he was in his Deadpool costume.

In both Deadpool (2016) and Deadpool 2 (2018), Baccarin’s character shares several passionate moments with Reynolds’ disfigured anti-hero, but there was a significant difference in the kissing scenes before and after Wade’s transformation into Deadpool. While Baccarin expressed little discomfort in early scenes where Reynolds was not wearing the mask, she has been very vocal about the challenges she faced when filming intimate scenes with him in the full-body latex suit.

Kissing in the Deadpool Suit: “Like Kissing a Giant Latex Condom”

In Deadpool 2, which featured more interactions between Vanessa and Deadpool while he was fully costumed, Baccarin found the experience of kissing her co-star quite challenging. In several interviews, including with People Magazine and IMDB, Baccarin described the sensation as “like kissing a giant latex condom,” primarily due to the mask’s material and smell. The mask, made of latex, created an unnatural barrier between the two, which was both physically uncomfortable and made the intimate scenes feel less connected.

Baccarin’s remarks about the kissing experience were not just about the tactile discomfort, but also the emotional barrier the mask created. She mentioned in an interview with People that it was “much easier to act when he didn’t have it on,” as the mask made it harder to emotionally connect with Reynolds. “I couldn’t see his face,” Baccarin explained, highlighting how this impacted the chemistry between the characters. The mask, while essential for the character’s identity as Deadpool, proved to be an obstacle in their on-screen relationship.

Pre-Transformation Scenes: No Discomfort

Before Wade Wilson’s transformation into the scarred and disfigured Deadpool, their romantic moments were a lot more straightforward. In Deadpool (2016), their relationship blossomed without the physical barrier of the Deadpool mask. The early scenes in the film, which include a notable montage of their romantic escapades across holidays like Christmas and Valentine’s Day, were described by Baccarin as taking two full days to shoot, with no discomfort in their on-screen intimacy. In an interview with Conan O’Brien, Baccarin jokingly described the filming of the montage as “making sweet love for an entire calendar year,” focusing more on the time it took than any physical discomfort.

The Mask: A Physical and Emotional Barrier

The main problem Baccarin had with kissing Reynolds in Deadpool 2 was the sensory experience of the latex mask. The rubbery smell of the mask and the material itself made the kisses feel strange and unappealing. Baccarin’s comparison of the mask to a “giant latex condom” underscored the unromantic nature of the experience. The discomfort was not just about the physical sensation but also the challenge of acting while unable to see Reynolds’ face—a critical element in creating a believable emotional connection.

While such experiences are not unique to Baccarin, as many actors have shared their difficulties in filming intimate scenes with costumed co-stars, the Deadpool suit’s particular design seems to have exacerbated her discomfort. According to an article from Looper in 2024, Baccarin is not alone in expressing frustration with on-screen kissing while dealing with heavy costumes. However, her specific complaint about the Deadpool mask has become one of the more famous examples of this common challenge.

Conclusion

Despite the discomfort Baccarin experienced filming intimate scenes with Ryan Reynolds in the Deadpool costume, her chemistry with him on-screen is undeniable. The Deadpool franchise, known for its unique blend of irreverent humor, emotional depth, and action, still captured the essence of Wade and Vanessa’s relationship, even through the physical barrier of the mask. While the kissing scenes may have been challenging for Baccarin, her portrayal of Vanessa’s love for Wade remains central to the heart of the Deadpool films, and her candidness about the difficulties she faced adds a layer of authenticity to the behind-the-scenes reality of working in such an unusual costume.