The Prank That Nearly Got Ryan Reynolds Arrested — And Why He Still Calls It “Class”

Ryan Reynolds is no stranger to humor and mischief, but one on-set prank during the filming of Just Friends in Regina, Saskatchewan, nearly landed him in hot water with local authorities. In a recent appearance on Conan O’Brien’s podcast, Reynolds recounted the story of the prank that had officials initially considering charges—but ended up becoming one of his funniest career moments.

While shooting in Regina, Reynolds and the film’s art department crafted a cheeky sign that read, “Welcome to Regina, which rhymes with fun,” and placed it directly over the town’s official welcome sign. What was meant to be a lighthearted joke was at first seen as vandalism by local officials. The prank risked serious consequences, but fortunately, the sign was designed to snap off easily, allowing officials to view it more as a temporary art installation than an act of defacement.

Reynolds joked about the incident, saying, “So at first it was vandalism, and then it was class.” The humor eventually won the day, and no charges were filed.

This episode stands out as one of Reynolds’ most memorable on-set moments but is far from the only prank in his repertoire. Known for a long-running prank war with fellow actor Hugh Jackman and his playful trolling of wife Blake Lively on social media, Reynolds clearly embraces fun both on and off the camera.

The Regina sign stunt not only showcases Reynolds’ quick wit but also his ability to turn a potential legal headache into a moment of shared laughter—and “class.”