Ryan Reynolds has become one of Hollywood’s leading comedic actors, known for his sharp wit and quick delivery. However, his journey to stardom wasn’t always straightforward. 

According to his former co-star, Matthew Lawrence, Reynolds displayed a unique approach to comedy early in his career, 

one that didn’t always align with the expectations of Hollywood producers. 

Lawrence recently shared his thoughts on Reynolds’ early comedic style during an episode of his “Brotherly Love” podcast, 

recounting their collaboration on the 1998 movie Boltneck, a project that didn’t quite hit the mark.

In discussing the movie, Lawrence, 45, revealed that the production team had some difficulty with the young Reynolds, 

who was still finding his footing in the entertainment industry at the time. “It just missed the mark, but it was a really interesting movie, great script,” Lawrence said about the film. He continued, explaining that the production team struggled to understand Reynolds’ approach to the role. “The funny part about it is that the production team was having a really hard time with Ryan. This is young Ryan. I had grown up in the industry so I had known my way around a set by that point. I was dialed in. He wasn’t dialed in.”

Lawrence recalled that Reynolds, fresh in his career, had a more laid-back attitude towards the project. While Reynolds was eager to perform, his improvisational style and offbeat humor didn’t align with what the producers had envisioned for the role. “He’d walk out, just wanted to kind of do his thing,” Lawrence said. The producers, however, were not impressed and were reportedly frustrated by his unconventional take on the character. “They even told him that, ‘Ryan, this is a bad Jim Carrey impersonation. This is not what we hired you to do. You can’t impersonate someone. You got to do your own thing.’”

Reynolds, according to Lawrence, was not thrilled with the criticism. “And he got upset at that,” Lawrence claimed. “And he was like, ‘I’m doing my thing.’” Lawrence went on to describe a pivotal moment where he overheard a meeting between the film’s director and crew, expressing their frustration over Reynolds’ performance. “I was privy to a meeting between the director. This crew, I think they were just nominated for an Oscar, so they were kind of a big deal at that moment. Talk about frustration on set with actors.”

Despite this early setback, Lawrence admitted that he ultimately came to admire Reynolds for staying true to himself. Reflecting on the experience, Lawrence said, “I’m not even mad at Ryan in the sense that he honestly stayed true to who he truly is authentically. Honestly, he was trying to ‘Deadpool’ it. That’s what he was trying to do to the script on set.” This was a nod to the comedic approach Reynolds would later perfect in roles like Deadpool, where his sharp humor and willingness to break the mold became his trademark.

Lawrence, who starred alongside Reynolds in Boltneck, acknowledged that the actor’s approach to comedy has been a defining aspect of his career. “That is my experience with Ryan Reynolds,” Lawrence shared. “He obviously matured as a human being, but he was doing the same thing. That’s always been his shtick, his thing.”

Though Boltneck didn’t garner the success many had hoped for, it remains a significant moment in Reynolds’ early career—a time when his unique comedic style was just beginning to emerge. Reynolds, now 48, has gone on to become one of Hollywood’s top stars, known for his roles in films like Deadpool, The Proposal, and Free Guy. However, Lawrence’s story serves as a reminder that even the most successful actors face challenges in the early stages of their careers.

Meanwhile, Reynolds and his wife, Blake Lively, have been dealing with their own set of challenges outside of the entertainment world. The couple is currently involved in a legal battle with actor and director Justin Baldoni over accusations of sexual harassment and a public smear campaign. In December 2023, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, accusing him of these offenses during the production of the movie It Ends With Us. Baldoni denied the allegations and countersued Lively and Reynolds, accusing them of defamation, extortion, and more. Amidst the ongoing legal drama, the couple has largely kept a low profile, with Reynolds briefly addressing the issue during a recent appearance at the SNL 50 special.

Despite the challenges in his personal and professional life, Reynolds’ comedic legacy continues to grow, with Lawrence’s story serving as a testament to his early commitment to authenticity and creativity, which have become hallmarks of his career. As Reynolds continues to evolve as an actor and public figure, it’s clear that his journey to success wasn’t always linear—but his dedication to staying true to his comedic roots has helped solidify him as one of Hollywood’s brightest stars.

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