Ryan Reynolds openly acknowledged that Dwayne Johnson would easily win in a fight between the two actors. Speaking at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where he was promoting the documentary John Candy: I Like Me, which he produced alongside director Colin Hanks, Reynolds discussed his playful rivalry with Johnson. Both stars are involved with TIFF’s In Conversation With… series, and Johnson’s film, The Smashing Machine, was also part of the festival lineup. The topic of a hypothetical fight between Reynolds and Johnson naturally came up during the event.
Reynolds Admits Johnson’s Strength with a Humorous Remark
In an exchange with Entertainment Tonight at TIFF, Reynolds avoided discussing Marvel Cinematic Universe projects and instead focused on the unlikely scenario of a fight with Johnson. When reminded of a previous joke Reynolds made about Johnson’s head, the Deadpool actor said,
“It was terrible! I was just messing with him, because he could beat c— out of me with his eyelashes. I only say something as long as I know I can get away with it.”
This statement highlighted Reynolds’ acknowledgment of Johnson’s physical dominance, delivered with his trademark humor. It reflects the camaraderie between the two actors, who clearly respect each other’s strengths.
On-Set Banter About Johnson’s Head in Red Notice
During the promotion of their Netflix film Red Notice, Reynolds’ character Nolan Booth made a pointed joke comparing the back of Johnson’s character John Hartley’s head to an unusually large body part. Gal Gadot, their co-star, also joined in, joking that Johnson does indeed have a very big head. Reynolds humorously described the head as a beautiful p—-. When pressed, Johnson even turned around to the camera to reveal the back of his head, adding levity to their interaction. This playful teasing reflects the close working relationship between the actors while promoting the film.
Previous Collaborations Between Reynolds and Johnson
Besides Red Notice, Reynolds and Johnson have worked together on other projects. Johnson lent his voice to a character identified as bank robber #2 in the 2021 video game-inspired film Free Guy. Meanwhile, Reynolds appeared uncredited as CIA agent Victor Locke in 2019’s Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw. In addition, Reynolds voiced the Eteon Director under the name Champ Nightingale in the same film. These collaborations demonstrate a continuing professional relationship that extends beyond Red Notice and highlights their overlapping career paths.
Significance of Their Public Dynamic
The ongoing banter and mutual respect between Ryan Reynolds and Dwayne Johnson make their interactions engaging for fans, especially amid their increasing collaborations. Their appearances at high-profile events like TIFF allow them to showcase their personalities beyond their on-screen roles. This openness about their rapport and playful challenges like the “fight” scenario keep audiences intrigued and add a layer of entertainment to their public appearances. As both actors continue to take on varied projects, their dynamic is likely to remain a favorite topic among followers and media alike.
