Rob McElhenney’s 48th Birthday Gift: Reynolds Edits Him into Every Movie Except ‘Deadpool’ – Here’s Why!

In an unexpected and hilarious gesture of friendship, Ryan Reynolds has edited his longtime friend and creative partner Rob McElhenney into all of his non-‘Deadpool’ movies as a birthday gift. McElhenney, who turns 48 today, may not be a member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he’s certainly earned his place in Reynolds’ “Background Actors in The Proposal Club.”

This year’s birthday comes at a particularly strange time for McElhenney. His acclaimed comedy series Mythic Quest, which he co-created and starred in, was recently canceled by AppleTV+, leaving fans disappointed as the series finale airs this Wednesday. Meanwhile, McElhenney has been hard at work on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia as it gears up for its 17th season. But in a twist of fate, McElhenney also found himself cut from the highly anticipated Deadpool film, despite appearing in a single scene beneath heavy costuming that would have concealed his face. This unexpected snub from Reynolds—who he’s worked with professionally and personally for years—left McElhenney feeling less than thrilled.

But Reynolds, ever the good-humored and mischievous friend, was determined to make McElhenney’s 48th birthday memorable. Taking to Twitter, Reynolds posted a side-splitting half-happy birthday, half-apology video in which he commissions an editor to splice McElhenney’s It’s Always Sunny appearances into a collection of Reynolds’ non-Marvel films. From R.I.P.D. to Red Notice, McElhenney’s face now graces a number of Reynolds’ past blockbusters, creating a hilarious mashup. The video was even scored to a melancholic version of “You Will Be Found” from the musical Dear Evan Hansen, adding a touch of comedic drama to the entire affair.

While it’s clear that McElhenney’s cameo in these films isn’t quite enough to make up for being cut from a billion-dollar film like Deadpool, the video is a fitting addition to Reynolds’ longstanding tradition of public birthday messages for his best friend. Over the years, Reynolds has become known for commissioning outrageously funny and personal birthday videos for McElhenney, including the infamous Titanic-themed tote bag featuring McElhenney’s chest hair from last year’s birthday clip. Although this year’s video may not undo the sting of the Mythic Quest cancellation, it’s sure to bring a smile to McElhenney’s face, especially since he’ll never have to don that TVA suit again.

But while the video undoubtedly lightens the mood, it also underscores a missed opportunity. Given McElhenney’s current career setbacks, it seems Reynolds could have monetized this year’s birthday video in the same way he did with the tote bag last year. Fans would certainly have snatched up a Red Notice-themed McElhenney cameo item, perhaps a collectible action figure or a limited-edition print.

In any case, Reynolds’ quirky, heartwarming gesture is a testament to the deep friendship between the two stars, showing that even when professional setbacks hit, their playful camaraderie can bring laughter amid the chaos.

I’m submitting this to the International Film Festival of Wales, Short Films category. Happy birthday, @rmcelhenney. pic.twitter.com/3Qmrf7VxpI

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) April 14, 2025