Ryan Reynolds beats Deadpool leakers at their own game

It’s no wonder Ryan Reynolds is known for improvising much of his turn as Disney’s sweariest superhero, because the way he’s fighting back against leakers is taking a page right out of the Deadpool playbook.

Earlier this week, Reynolds posted a lengthy screed against people who like to snipe photos from Deadpool 3's now-active set, as well as the websites who post and share said pictures (via Variety). (A recent leak suggests that a [REDACTED] MCU villain will show up to challenge Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in the film. You can google if you’re curious; we don’t want to provoke the wrath of Ryan Reynolds here.)

Here’s Reynolds’ statement in full:

Surprises are part of the magic of theatrical movies. It’s important for us to shoot the new Deadpool film in real, natural environments, using practical effects as opposed to making the movie indoors and digitally. Telephoto lenses continue to spoil surprises and create a difficult situation for everyone.

Related Content

• Deadpool's Shawn Levy is making a new live-action Dungeons & Dragons show
• Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld says Kevin Feige doesn't treat comic book creators well

Here’s hoping some of the websites and social channels hold back showing images before they’re ready. The film is built for audience joy — and our highest hope is to preserve as much of that magic as possible for the finished film and the big screen. Part of the reason people post spoilers is because they’re excited. I realize these aren’t real world issues and it’s firmly in the ‘good problems’ bucket. I love making this movie.

If you’re reading this and thinking, “Huh. This is surprisingly polite for one of Hollywood’s most notorious trolls,” don’t worry; a more measured actor hasn’t been Freaky Friday-ed into the Deadpool actor’s body or anything like that. This morning, Reynolds fired the kill shot in his new war. “Deadpool began with a leak. So I’m joining in,” he wrote on Twitter/X, referring to the fact that leaked test footage of Reynolds in the red suit was what got the original movie greenlit in the first place.

“But PLEASE don’t overuse the phrase, ‘Deadpool Leaks’ because it might screw up search results if anyone is looking for Deadpool leaks or Deadpool spoilers or perhaps, Deadpool Scoops,” he continued.

Reynolds’ post was paired with a long thread of very real, very spoiler-filled set photos revealing that a whole menagerie of characters from Predator to Mickey Mouse would also be joining in what is sure to be the most buck wild, star studded film event of the year—that is, if these very real set photos are any indication, of course. Look, journalists know a little something about SEO and this is just great SEO, plain and simple. Any outlet would be lucky to have him whenever he decides to hang up the red suit for good.