Ryan Reynolds Jokes About His ‘Wrong Role’—And Fans Say It’s His Funniest Confession Yet

Ryan Reynolds has never been afraid to poke fun at himself—and now, fans say his self-deprecating humor has reached new heights. The actor, producer, and entrepreneur, whose films have grossed over $6.5 billion worldwide, recently joked that his stint as DC’s Green Lantern was “the wrong role,” and audiences can’t stop laughing. What could have been a career-ending misstep has instead become one of Reynolds’ funniest—and most endearing—confessions.

Authenticity in Owning Missteps

Reynolds has always leaned on authenticity, even when it means revisiting a professional flop. In a 2020 SYFY Wire interview, he reflected on being miscast in Green Lantern (2011), a film that flopped critically with a 26% Rotten Tomatoes score. “I think it’s more about just laughing at myself, not laughing at other people,” he said. That same spirit inspired one of Deadpool 2’s most memorable gags: Wade Wilson traveling back in time to shoot Ryan Reynolds before he signs the Green Lantern script, quipping, “You’re welcome, Canada.”

Fans loved it. On X, user @hernandy_s called it “peak comedy,” while Reddit’s r/marvelstudios community praised his candor: “He’s not afraid to admit when he’s miscast.” For an actor once dismissed by Variety as a “lightweight comedian” during his early career, Reynolds’ ability to turn past stumbles into self-aware comedy has only deepened his bond with audiences.

Resilience in Turning Failure Into Triumph

The “wrong role” could have derailed Reynolds’ trajectory. Coupled with the much-maligned, muted version of Deadpool he played in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), Green Lantern left many questioning whether he could lead a blockbuster. But Reynolds refused to give up. He fought for years to bring a faithful Deadpool adaptation to life, as detailed in a 2016 Guardian interview, and his persistence paid off.

Deadpool (2016) grossed $782 million worldwide, while Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) cemented the character as a cultural phenomenon. Fans, like @Linkinitouille on X in 2025, saw the redemption arc as inspiring: “Ryan turned Green Lantern’s mess into Deadpool’s gold—talk about a comeback.” Beyond film, Reynolds has also spoken openly about battling anxiety, as reported by the Daily Mail in 2024, further showcasing resilience in both his career and personal life.

Generosity in Humor and Beyond

Reynolds’ generosity is perhaps best expressed through humor that connects him to fans. His jokes about Green Lantern have become a running gag, resurfacing in films like Free Guy, where he and co-star Taika Waititi—both Green Lantern alumni—laughed at their shared past. As one Reddit user in r/blankies put it, “Ryan makes failure fun.”

But his generosity extends beyond punchlines. He has championed fellow actors with cameos in Deadpool & Wolverine, supported charitable initiatives like the Prince’s Trust, and co-owns Wrexham AFC with Rob McElhenney, turning the underdog soccer club into a global story through Welcome to Wrexham. Even his playful trolling of wife Blake Lively, whether cropping her out of photos or making cheeky birthday posts, has become a fan favorite online. As @MovieBuff99 wrote on X, “Ryan’s humor with Blake is gold—keeps us all entertained.”

A Humorous Redemption

For Reynolds, the “wrong role” has become the right joke. By owning his past missteps, embracing vulnerability, and transforming failures into comedy gold, he has crafted a career defined not by perfection, but by resilience and relatability. In doing so, Reynolds reminds fans that sometimes the funniest, most human stories come from the roles that didn’t fit.

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