Ryan Reynolds has publicly admitted that he was responsible for leaking the test footage for Deadpool back in 2014. The actor made the confession while speaking at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where he was promoting the documentary John Candy: I Like Me. Reynolds stated, “Yes, I cheated a little, but I think I was onto something that people would be interested in.” He explained that the studio had initially shown no interest in the project, leading him to take matters into his own hands .
How the Leak Changed Everything
The test footage, which was created by producer Tim Miller using CGI at his animation company Blur Studio in 2012, featured Reynolds voicing Deadpool. Despite its high quality, the studio, 20th Century Fox, did not want to move forward with the film at that time. Reynolds described Deadpool as a “fringe character” that people didn’t really know, but he was personally obsessed with the role because of its meta and innovative approach to comic book movies. When the footage was leaked online in July 2014, it quickly went viral and generated overwhelming fan support. Within just 24 hours, the studio greenlit the movie, which ultimately led to the release of Deadpool in February 2016 .
Ryan Reynolds joked about the leak, saying, “Some a–hole leaks it online and I’m like, you know, looking at the guy in the mirror brushing my teeth.” He acknowledged that leaking the footage was technically wrong but expressed gratitude for following his instincts, as it ultimately resulted in the successful franchise .
The Aftermath and Future Projects
The leak not only led to the first Deadpool movie but also paved the way for sequels, including the recently released Deadpool & Wolverine, which paired Reynolds with Hugh Jackman. Reynolds is now expected to reprise his role as Deadpool in the upcoming Marvel film Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for release on December 18, 2026. The film will focus on bringing back the X-Men, with stars like Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen returning to their roles .
Reynolds’ TIFF Appearance and Controversy
During his time at TIFF, Reynolds was also involved in a minor controversy when some social media users criticized him for being “rude” and “condescending” to a child reporter on the red carpet. In a video circulating online, Reynolds was seen joking with the young reporter, telling him, “Let’s skip to the question.” However, a source close to the actor clarified that Reynolds was not being rude but was simply pressed for time due to TIFF staff rushing him inside. The source noted that Reynolds has spoken to the same child reporter at multiple events and made an effort to stop for him despite time constraints .
