On July 27th, 2014, original test footage of Ryan Reynolds’ first Deadpool movie was leaked onto the internet. It took the internet by storm and Fox had no choice but to greenlight the project despite having doubts about such a project. The source of the leak was never revealed, but many believed that Reynolds had a hand in it.
When Hugh Jackman questioned him about the same during a polygraph test, he quickly became defensive. He eventually addressed his “assist” in the leak, but the actual culprit still remained anonymous. It is possible that it was someone associated with the film or a third party to whom Reynolds gave the footage.
Ryan Reynolds’ Reaction To Hugh Jackman’s Question About 2014 Deadpool Leak Says A Lot
A Deadpool movie was in development at the Fox Studio for a long time. However, the studio became doubtful of the project after Ryan Reynolds‘ Green Lantern was released in 2011. Fox was also concerned about the R-rating of the film and Tim Miller’s test footage for the film didn’t convince them either.
When the test footage was leaked in July 2014, fans had an overwhelming response for the Merc with a Mouth, who broke the fourth wall to speak to them in the footage. The studio was pressured into greenlighting the movie, but they provided a significantly low budget for a superhero movie. Reynolds attributed the film being greenlit entirely to the leak.
While many believed that he, Miller, and the writers had something to do with the leak, they continued to deny it. The film went on to get two more sequels, the latest under Disney/Marvel Studios. Hugh Jackman, the other star of the latest film Deadpool & Wolverine, took a chance in a promotional segment to ask Reynolds about the leak.
In a 2019 Instagram post, Reynolds shared a messy evidence board showing his investigation of the 2014 leak. Interestingly, Jackman was one of the suspects on the board. In a lie detector test for Vanity Fair, Jackman asked Reynolds, who was hooked up to the polygraph machine, whether he was behind the leak.
Reynolds looked very uncomfortable and got defensive at first. He eventually went on to admit that he may have provided an assist for the leak. The polygraph expert confirmed this to be true much to Jackman’s amusement. Here’s how their conversation went (via Vanity Fair):
Jackman: On July 27th, 2014…
Reynolds: Oh, okay.
Jackman: You okay?
Reynolds: Yeah, I’m perfect, yep.
Jackman: The test footage for the original “Deadpool” leaked onto the internet. Were you behind the leak?
Reynolds: That’s a great question. Pass.
Jackman: I just want to remind you that you are hooked up to a polygraph machine.
Reynolds: I just want to remind you that this does not follow the letter of the f**king law. And if I wanted to break out of this room, and destroy everything in my path, I will. Uh, I, I would say that I, uh, what is the question again…
Jackman: Please just answer the question.
Reynolds: Oh well for f**k’s sakes. I mean I might’ve provided an assist. I was Scotty Pippen. Aye, I was just there doing my job and, uh, someone else gets all the credit.
Fox never really cared about the source of the leak after the film managed to gross $782.8 million at the box office (via Box Office Mojo). Interestingly, Reynolds’ other suspects included his wife Blake Lively, director Taika Waititi, Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld, Betty White, and even Wade Wilson himself.
Fans Believe That Ryan Reynolds Knew The Source Of The Leak
While some fans seemed to believe that Ryan Reynolds did not leak the footage, they were almost sure that he knew the source. One fan suggested that his answer in the interview was “plausible deniability.” Interestingly, fans had no issue even if it was him behind the leak, as it paved the way for the most hilarious superhero showdown in history. Some of the fan reactions read:
He didn’t leak it himself but I’m sure he gave the footage to someone to do it on his behalf.
— ShamefulToaster (@ShamefulToaster) July 31, 2024
Plausible deniability. The reaction to the question seemed genuine.
I don’t think he necessarily leaked it
— Xerran Gremory (@LApokolips) July 31, 2024
But by the sound of it
He might have encouraged or given the tools to someone else to do it
Oh that's funny! I never thought he leaked it himself, but I did assume he told someone "hey, it's over there! Go get it!"
— GaryGary (@GaryGaryPengu) July 31, 2024
Honestly, if he did, then many people owe this man a beer.
— Tea,sugar&disappointment (@Teasugardisapp1) July 31, 2024
And we are all grateful. I’ve exonerated him from all wrongdoing.
— Dolphins Rich (@DolphinsRich) July 31, 2024
From the beginning, the most likely suspects were Reynolds, Tim Miller, and writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. It was also suspected that the leak came from a Fox executive or employee. Then, there is the chance that these parties may have “assisted” in the leak by providing the footage to an unrelated party, knowing or unknowing that they were going to leak it.
The Deadpool movies are now available for streaming on Disney+.
