Ryan Reynolds Defends Comedy as an Art Form in Viral Response

Ryan Reynolds isn’t letting critics downplay the value of comedy. Following the announcement that he’ll be paired with Andrew Garfield for the upcoming Variety “Actors on Actors” series, Reynolds fired back at a social media user who mocked his inclusion alongside Garfield, who received acclaim for his dramatic role in We Live in Time.

The user sarcastically contrasted their projects, writing, “Andrew Garfield talking about playing a husband and father whose wife decides to forgo cancer treatment and Ryan Reynolds talking about playing Deadpool.”

Reynolds didn’t let the comment slide, responding with praise for Garfield and his We Live in Time co-star, Florence Pugh. “Andrew’s a genius. He and Florence are magic together in We Live in Time. They’re heartbreaking and charming and spend the entire film in a high-wire act of humanity and constraint,” Reynolds wrote.

But Reynolds didn’t stop there. He took the opportunity to passionately defend comedy as an art form, explaining its unique challenges. “Yes, I am Deadpool, BUT I will take a second and speak up in defense of comedy,” Reynolds wrote. “Dramatic work is difficult. And we’re also meant to SEE it’s difficult, which is one of the reasons it feels visceral and effective. Comedy is also very difficult but has an added dimension in that it’s meant to look and feel effortless. You intentionally hide the stitching and unstitching.”

Reynolds went on to highlight how comedy and drama are more interconnected than people might think. “Both thrive on tension. Both thrive when subverting expectation. Both thrive backstopped by real emotion. And both are deeply subjective. Your favorite comedy might be Anchorman. Mine might be Lars Von Trier’s Melancholia,” he concluded, blending his signature wit with insight.

Reynolds’ response has sparked a broader discussion about the value of comedy in the entertainment industry, with fans and fellow actors applauding his thoughtful take.