Ryan Reynolds marks 10 years of Deadpool, credits fans at San Diego Comic-Con
Synopsis
Ten years after Deadpool changed the rules for R-rated superhero films, Ryan Reynolds walked San Diego Comic-Con without security or handlers — a deliberate callback to the fan-driven grassroots campaign that got the film made. His Instagram tribute is a rare Hollywood moment where a star publicly hands the credit to the audience.
Key Takeaways
Ryan Reynolds marked 10 years of Deadpool with an Instagram tribute on 27 July , crediting fans for launching the franchise.
Reynolds walked the San Diego Comic-Con floor without handlers, security, or barriers — 2 years after Deadpool & Wolverine .
The original Deadpool , directed by Tim Miller , is the eighth instalment of the X-Men film series.
Deadpool & Wolverine is part of Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe .
Reynolds was the world's second-highest-paid actor in 2020 and 2024 .
His next film, Mayday , is an action comedy co-starring Kenneth Branagh and Maria Bakalova .
Ryan Reynolds marked a decade of Deadpool with a personal tribute to the franchise's fanbase, crediting them for making the anti-hero's big-screen journey possible. The Hollywood star took to Instagram on 27 July to share his experience walking the floor of San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) — without handlers, security, or barriers — exactly 10 years after the first film's release and two years after Deadpool & Wolverine.
Reynolds' Message to Fans
In his Instagram caption, Reynolds wrote: "The fans got Deadpool off the ground so many years ago. Yesterday, 10 years after the first film and exactly 2 years after Deadpool & Wolverine, I felt so lucky to be on the #SDCC floor with everyone whose unapologetic devotion brings so much joy to this world. No handlers, no security, no ropes. WHAT A GIFT."
He added: "Thanks to everyone I met, who aren't only cosplaying but world-building. And also… actual Sergeant Slaughter!" The unscripted appearance at one of the world's largest pop-culture conventions underscored the rare bond Reynolds has cultivated with the Deadpool community over the years.
The Deadpool Franchise: A Brief History
The original Deadpool, directed by Tim Miller, is based on the Marvel Comics character Wade Wilson and serves as a spin-off of the X-Men film series — its eighth instalment overall. Reynolds stars as the titular anti-hero alongside Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T.J. Miller, Gina Carano, and Brianna Hildebrand. The film follows Wade Wilson as he acquires mutant abilities and a disfigured appearance, ultimately embracing the identity of Deadpool.
Two sequels followed: Deadpool 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine, with the latter integrated into Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) — a milestone that brought the character fully into the MCU fold after years of operating in a separate Fox-owned universe.
Reynolds Beyond Deadpool
Reynolds was ranked the world's second-highest-paid actor in both 2020 and 2024. His accolades include two Primetime Emmy Awards, along with nominations for two Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.
His next project is Mayday, an action comedy written and directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, co-starring Kenneth Branagh, Marcin Dorociński, Maria Bakalova, and David Morse.
Why the Deadpool Fandom Stands Apart
The Deadpool franchise is widely regarded as a fan-driven success story. The original film's greenlight was reportedly accelerated after test footage — leaked online in 2014 — generated an overwhelming public response. Reynolds has consistently acknowledged that fan pressure was instrumental in convincing the studio to proceed with an R-rated superhero film, a format considered commercially risky at the time. His Comic-Con appearance, unannounced and unguarded, was a continuation of that same ethos.
Point of View
Not a studio, greenlit Deadpool. That narrative has kept audience loyalty unusually high across three films and a universe transition. The real question is whether Deadpool's irreverent identity survives deeper MCU integration, where franchise coherence tends to sand down edges. Reynolds has so far managed the balance, but the next chapter will test whether the character's anti-establishment appeal can outlast its own mainstreaming.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ryan Reynolds celebrate 10 years of Deadpool at Comic-Con?
Ryan Reynolds marked the 10th anniversary of the first Deadpool film at San Diego Comic-Con on 27 July, walking the convention floor without security to meet fans. He shared the moment on Instagram, crediting fans as the driving force behind the franchise's creation.
What did Ryan Reynolds post on Instagram about Deadpool's anniversary?
Reynolds wrote: 'The fans got Deadpool off the ground so many years ago... I felt so lucky to be on the #SDCC floor with everyone whose unapologetic devotion brings so much joy to this world. No handlers, no security, no ropes. WHAT A GIFT.' He also thanked fans for 'world-building' beyond cosplay.
How many Deadpool films have been released?
Three Deadpool films have been released: the original Deadpool (2016), Deadpool 2, and Deadpool & Wolverine. The third film is part of Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, marking the character's official entry into the MCU.
What is Ryan Reynolds' next film after Deadpool?
Reynolds will next appear in Mayday, an action comedy written and directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley. The film also stars Kenneth Branagh, Marcin Dorociński, Maria Bakalova, and David Morse.
Who directed the original Deadpool film?
The original Deadpool was directed by Tim Miller. It is based on the Marvel Comics character Wade Wilson and is a spin-off of the X-Men film series, serving as its eighth instalment overall.
