Actor Ryan Reynolds expressed his 'mortification' over having to remove Rob McElhenney's cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine, especially after McElhenney traveled to London to film the scene, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. McElhenney, who is not only Reynolds' friend but also a co-owner of the Wrexham football team, made the decision particularly difficult for Reynolds. Initially, the actor from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia was cast as a Time Variance Authority soldier in the record-breaking Marvel film.
Reynolds shared on Instagram, 'A word on my "darling" friend, @robmcelhenney. Rob very kindly did a cameo in #DeadpoolAndWolverine which will hopefully live on in the digital extras.' He continued, '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.' Reynolds explained that the scene was ultimately cut because the 'sequence wasn't working the way we'd originally constructed it.'
He praised McElhenney's talent, saying, '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.' Reynolds also expressed his deep affection for Wrexham, stating, 'Don't even get me started on Wrexham. I wouldn't know a love like @wrexham_afc if it weren't for Rob McElhenney.'
Reynolds acknowledged that 'expectation' is the most challenging aspect of filmmaking but having friends like McElhenney for support makes it easier. He shared, 'I loved making this movie but it wasn't without stress. There was a lot of expectation -- and I'm pretty sure the most well written villain in cinema history is 'Expectation.' And when you do stressful stuff, it feels good when friends are nearby.' He concluded, 'Even as he begged for his life before Alioth snatched his unsuspecting body into the air, swallowing him whole, eventually digesting and converting him into Alioth-poo,' as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
