Ryan Reynolds admitted that he leaked the "Deadpool" test footage himself

Ryan Reynolds admitted 11 years later that he was the one who posted the video online, thanks to which "Deadpool" got the "green light" after a strong reaction from viewers.

At the Toronto International Film Festival, Ryan Reynolds confirmed a long-standing fan theory. In 2014, he was the one who posted the test footage from "Deadpool" online, thereby launching the production of a full-length film, which 20th Century Fox had been postponing for years. According to the actor, the act was against the rules, but gave the desired result: "I knew it was wrong, but I'm glad I disobeyed then."

The test scene, filmed back in 2012 by director Tim Miller, demonstrated what an R-rated film could look like - with black humor, breaking the fourth wall, and bloody action. The studio considered the project too risky, but after the "leak" gave the "green light" a day later.

"Some *** posted it online - and I was standing in front of the mirror with a toothbrush, thinking: “Dude, what have you done?”", Reynolds recalls."It could have ended in a criminal case."

The first "Deadpool" was released in 2016 and grossed almost $800 million with a budget of only $58 million. The sequel cemented its success, and the third part - "Deadpool & Wolverine", released in 2024 - became the highest-grossing R-rated film, earning $1.3 billion.

According to rumors, Deadpool will appear in the upcoming crossover "Avengers: Secret Wars", but not as part of the main team. There is also an idea being discussed for a spin-off with other mutants, where Wade Wilson will take a back seat. Reynolds himself is fueling interest, but emphasizes that he does not see Deadpool as a full member of either the X-Men or the Avengers. "If he becomes part of the team, then the story is over."