‘Suck It, Fox!’: Ryan Reynolds’ Hilarious Jabs at His Former Studio in Deadpool 3

When Deadpool hit theaters in 2016, it was a game-changer—not just for its irreverent humor and R-rated approach, but for what it represented behind the scenes. For Ryan Reynolds, the journey to bring the Merc with a Mouth to life was one of perseverance, passion, and financial sacrifice. Over the years, Reynolds has made no secret of the uphill battle he faced at 20th Century Fox, including taking a significant pay cut to ensure the project came to fruition.

A Passion Project With a Price

Reynolds’ dedication to Deadpool was evident long before it became a global phenomenon. He famously used his own salary to pay screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick to be on set—an unprecedented move for a lead actor in a major superhero film. “They wouldn’t allow my co-writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick on set, so I took the little salary I had left and paid them,” Reynolds revealed in a 2024 interview with The New York Times. This decision allowed them to form an unofficial “writers’ room,” ensuring that the film stayed true to its unique voice and style.

This sacrifice came at a time when Fox was reluctant to fully back the project. As Reese and Wernick noted in a 2016 interview, the studio initially refused to pay them, leaving Reynolds to step in. Even as Deadpool shattered box office expectations and earned widespread acclaim, Reynolds’ playful jabs at the studio hinted at a sense of underappreciation. In a 2018 interview with Sway’s Universe, when asked if he worried about Deadpool 2 flopping, Reynolds responded, “I work for 20th Century Fox. What do you think, I’m paid in spit and insults?” This tongue-in-cheek comment reflected his frustrations but also highlighted his ability to turn those frustrations into humor.

Disney’s Takeover and Reynolds’ Retorts

Fast forward to the release of Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), and the landscape had changed dramatically. The Disney-Fox merger brought Deadpool under the Disney umbrella, but Reynolds didn’t shy away from referencing his history with Fox. True to form, he turned the studio’s past treatment into comedy gold.

In one memorable scene, Deadpool quips, “Suck it, Fox, I’m going to Disneyland,” a clear nod to Disney’s acquisition and the new era for Marvel properties. The film’s plot even included a symbolic showdown in a “Void” filled with relics from alternate universes, where the characters battle in front of a buried Fox logo. The moment served as a satirical farewell to Fox’s stewardship of Marvel’s X-Men and Deadpool properties. As the fight concluded, Deadpool delivered the ultimate parting shot: “Rest in peace, Fox,” cementing his knack for blending wit with a pinch of reality.

From Challenges to Comedy

What makes Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool journey remarkable isn’t just the success of the films, but the way he channeled industry challenges into something creative and impactful. His playful mockery of Fox, both on-screen and off, resonates with audiences because it’s genuine and rooted in real experiences. It’s this blend of authenticity, humor, and determination that has kept Deadpool—and Reynolds—on top, proving that even Hollywood’s frustrations can be spun into cinematic gold