Ryan Reynolds on his ‘real American family’: ‘Every idiotic Hallmark cliche is true’

Ryan Reynolds GQ MOTY

GQ has announced their men of the year, and the list is… alright. It’s like they were making a conscious choice to choose the most uncontroversial people though. Their three men of the year (or the men who got individual covers) are Ryan Reynolds, Usain Bolt and Warren Beatty. Ryan is being recognized for the huge gamble of putting together the Deadpool movie. It was a gamble that paid off with an enormous box office, and now Ryan finally has a franchise that really works for him. You can read the full GQ piece here. Some highlights:

Life after filming Deadpool: “When it finally ended, I had a little bit of a nervous breakdown. I literally had the shakes. I went to go see a doctor because I felt like I was suffering from a neurological problem or something. And every doctor I saw said, ‘You have anxiety.’”

The success of Deadpool: “I’ve been on the train for 11 years trying to get it made… Once the test footage leaked, that created a groundswell of support. And the studio responded to that groundswell by saying, ‘Okay, here’s the absolute bare minimum amount of money that we will give this character. Let us know when the movie’s done.’ We made our production budget back on Friday [after the Thursday midnight premiere]. There’s a certain vindication that comes with that, especially because the studio––granted, under different regimes––for years just kept telling us to go f–k ourselves sterile.”

Whether Fox will give them more money for the sequel: “Are you insane? That never happens, trust me. And the first time, it was almost like the more Fox took away from us, the stronger we got. There’s two moments in the movie where I forget my ammo bag. That’s not because Deadpool’s forgetful. That’s because we couldn’t afford the guns that we’re about to use in the scene.”

Dealing with his father’s death: “I had a rough ten-year patch with my father. So we were estranged… From my earliest memory of him, my father was that stereotypical tough guy. But it was just a veneer. The hardest part for me is that he was always kind of a mystery. I just don’t feel like I ever had a real conversation with him… But I actually that sort of epic moment that only happens in films, where I saw him before he died and closed the loop as much as I could. We’re all just hurtling through space in this green, spinning sh-t-wheel of devastation. At some point, you just kinda gotta live and let go.”

His family with Blake Lively: “I’m on the precipice of having a real American family. I mean, I always imagined that would happen, and then it happened. Every idiotic Hallmark-card cliché is true.”

When he knew Blake was the one: “Probably after the sex,” he says jokingly. “No, we were hanging out at this little restaurant in Tribeca that’s open really late, and this song came on and I was just like, ‘Want to dance?’ No one was in there, so it was just totally empty. And it was just one of those moments where halfway through the dance, it was like, ‘Oh, I think I just crossed a line.’ And then I walked her home. And, uh, you know, I don’t really need to go into what happened after that.”

He feels more comfortable in his own skin now: “I never wanted to reveal too much. I used to shut down, like, ‘Okay, only crack jokes and cover the subject at hand in a very kind of cursory way.’ But I’ve embraced the fact that I’m smart. I’ve embraced the fact that I’m an idiot. I’ve embraced the fact that I’m funny… It’s all human life. Take it or leave it.”

[From GQ]

I agree with Ryan that he seems more comfortable these days. Part of that is probably just his evolution as an actor, and getting the validation from Deadpool’s success. Another part of it is just growing up. When you’re in your 20s, you still give a sh-t about what people think of you. You let a lot of that go in your 30s. As for his stories about Blake and their family… that’s helped him chill out a lot too. He’s crazy in love with Blake and he’s obsessed with their babies. It’s really sweet.

Ryan Reynolds 1

Photos courtesy of Alasdair McLellan/GQ.

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26 Responses to “Ryan Reynolds on his ‘real American family’: ‘Every idiotic Hallmark cliche is true’”

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  1. Alix says:

    “On the precipice”? “Idiotic”? What odd phrases to use.

    • Fallon says:

      I think he needs another kid on the way to be a true American family – 2.5 kids and all.

      (I never understood that phrasing)

  2. Sam says:

    I think you’re right when you say he’s changed because he’s grown up. He actually even admits to it as well in the interview. It sucks that he suffers from anxiety. It makes sense why he hides away when he’s not promoting something. As someone who suffers from it….it’s the worst.

    Just want to add that I know folks on here don’t like her BUT I love Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. Folks always used to say she was more into him than he was into her but I think it’s showing just how much he loves her and his family. It’s so sweet to me. I don’t know spending the last few months reading Benedict Cumberbatch interviews, has made it that much more refreshing lol

    Last thing….highly recommend watching his interview with his twin brother Gordon.

    • Alyce says:

      They are one of my favorite celebrity couples. Either they are both way better actors than anyone gives them credit for or they are really devoted and loving. I hope they can actually keep it going, I would be a little sad if they split.

    • Ayra. says:

      I had no idea he had a twin!

  3. Shambles says:

    The thought of him being super in love with his wife and super adoring of his kids is pretty sexy. He still does it for me.

    • detritus says:

      Very much in agreement. Him being in love with his family and Blake is very attractive. It’s like young Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee

    • Sam says:

      To be honest with you, 6 years ago, he did nothing for me. And in the last 2-3 years, he’s gotten sexy to me. He’s aging like a bottle of fine wine. Each year he looks better to me than the last. Add to the fact that he’s like obsessed with Blake and their kids and it makes him that much more sexier.

  4. Barbara says:

    I really like him and his sense of humor. He’s such a smart guy and I like in the interview when he said he finally accepted this and other things about him.
    I love his wife, so I’m very biased to talk about her, but I think Blake also did a great good to him. It’s not only about getting married and having a couple of kids, but who she is and what she does. She’s very down to Earth, also very low profile when she’s not promoting any of her things. She did him good, but he also grew as he said and having kids definitely changes one forever.
    And he looks so hot these days, dear gosh. I used to think he was a good looking guy, but now he looks all that much more appealing to me.
    I’m very happy for him, for her, for them and I hope their marriage is one of those Hollywood exceptions.

  5. Alix says:

    Is the second baby a boy? Did they name him Jane?

  6. paranormalgirl says:

    I don’t have much issue with Blake or Ryan and I hope they have a long and happy marriage. It would be nice in this era of disposable marriages.

  7. sun says:

    he is not as funny as he thinks he is

  8. Lucy says:

    I really like you, Deadpool.

  9. veronica says:

    You either sun.
    Guessing it’s not short for sunshine. 😉

  10. ria says:

    I like him, he is actually a better actor most people give him Credit for.
    Watch BURRIED
    Fantastic done by him.
    DEADPOOL, his slightly different way to Deadpool in WOLVERINE, SAFE HOUSE.
    He is not The BEST ACTOR ever, but he way better than people say.

    Love that he is so much a family man.

    • Nicole says:

      He did do a nice job in that casket

    • Jayna says:

      He’s a strong actor. I watched a thriller, The Captive, and it wasn’t very good overall. But because of him I stayed watching because his acting was so believable as a father whose daughter was taken from his car when he ran inside somewhere to pick up something and the ongoing events stemming from that. He did a terrific job with his character, even though the movie was weak.

  11. Jayna says:

    This is one couple I expect to last. I like how they live so lowkey with their children.

  12. M.A.F. says:

    There’s a little part of me that still sees him as the guy that use to be engaged to Alanis Morissette. What a fine Canadian couple they made.

    But I agree with those up thread, he’s grown up a bit and marriage and babies look real good on him.

  13. QQ says:

    His face looks so Gerbilly or something .. he does Nothing for me, like he is attractive in the most cardboardy bland way

    • MellyMel says:

      Haha! I used to think that too but he’s gotten really hot the last few years. Imo he’s one of the guys who looks better the older he gets.

  14. BTownGirl says:

    Does anyone else find it a little funny that he’s all, “PRIVACY PRIVACY YOU SHALL NOT KNOW MY CHILDREN’S NAMES!” and yet here we are hearing the prequel to their first shtupping?