Ryan Reynolds Goes Wild: From Deadpool to Disney+ with ‘Underdogs’
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Ryan Reynolds has never shied away from a challenge—whether cracking skulls as Deadpool or delivering one-liners in rom-coms. But his latest role? Narrating one of the most unexpected and visually arresting wildlife series in Disney+ history.
Titled Underdogs, the five-part docuseries premieres June 16 on Disney+ and June 18 on Nat Geo Wild. It’s a bold new venture for Reynolds, who trades in his red suit and antihero swagger for something far more slippery: the survival stories of nature’s most overlooked creatures.
Far from your standard lion-and-elephant fare, Underdogs focuses on what Reynolds calls “Mother Nature’s Z-listers”—a lineup of strange, unsung animals with bizarre behaviors and brilliant survival tactics. From mucus-coated glowworms lighting up New Zealand caves to animals with “questionable parenting skills and gross-out behaviors,” the series promises to be as eye-popping as it is educational.
Reynolds serves as narrator, lending his signature wit and charm to what Disney+ describes as “never-before-seen footage” captured by some of the world’s leading wildlife cinematographers. Award-winning composer Harry Gregson-Williams (Shrek, Gladiator 2) provides the score, while Green Day contributes the rocking theme song, also titled “Underdogs,” featured on their latest album Saviors.
In a statement as tongue-in-cheek as ever, Reynolds said:
“Getting to work with National Geographic on Underdogs was a dream come true—mostly because I can finally watch a project of ours with my children. Technically, they saw Deadpool & Wolverine, but I don’t think they absorbed much while covering their eyes and ears and screaming for two hours.”
He added, “We’re so proud to elevate the unsung heroes of the natural world to the top of the entertainment food chain and can’t wait for everyone to see.”
With breathtaking visuals, an irreverent tone, and Reynolds at the helm, Underdogs may just be the wildest Disney+ series yet—and a perfect fit for fans of both nature documentaries and offbeat comedy.