Ryan Reynolds on why Rob McElhenney's Deadpool & Wolverine cameo was cut

welcome to wrexham, ryan reynolds, rob mcelhenney
Ryan Reynolds on McElhenney's cut Deadpool cameoDisney+

Ryan Reynolds has explained why Rob McElhenney's cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine was cut, citing the need to 'kill your darlings'.

The MCU film, the third in the Deadpool franchise, sees the titular heroes - played by Reynolds and Hugh Jackman respectively - work together as they seek to save the universe from the evil Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin).

With the narrative spanning across the metaverse, there were plenty of celebrity cameos dotted throughout the movie, but Reynolds has now taken to Instagram to explain that the planned appearance of his close friend and Welcome to Wrexham co-star was eventually cut for creative reasons.

rob mcelhenney, hugh jackman, deadpool and wolverine cameo
X/RobMcElhenney

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"A word on my 'darling' friend, @robmcelhenney," he began, with the post including a photo of McElhenney in character as a TVA agent. "Rob very kindly did a cameo in #DeadpoolAndWolverine which will hopefully live on in the digital extras.

"While editing a movie, they say you 'sometimes have to kill your darlings.' And with a heavy heart (and through great outside intervention) I had to kill a darling with this cameo. The sequence wasn't working the way we'd originally constructed it.

"Rob was the only reason it stayed in the cut for as long as it did, because even under a TVA mask and helmet, you can feel him smouldering with a raw and almost infinite reservoir of talent, writerly wit and 'I create hit tv shows' swagger."

He continued: "Don't even get me started on Wrexham. I wouldn’t know a love like @wrexham_afc if it weren't for Rob McElhenney. Anyway, I loved making this movie but it wasn't without stress. There was a lot of expectation."

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Reynolds added that he was "mortified" that McElhenney "flew all the way to London for a cameo that wasn't meant to be", but said that he was "grateful my friend was there with me on that set".

Responding to the emotional post, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star McElhenney jokingly commented, "How am I supposed to go back to writing dick jokes today?" alongside a crying emoji.

The pair have previously showcased their friendship in an elaborate birthday tribute, as McElhenney recruited fellow actor Chris Pratt to pull off a special video.

Deadpool & Wolverine is now playing in cinemas.

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