At the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, Ryan Reynolds recounted a tense moment from the set of the 2012 thriller Safe House, where his phone unexpectedly rang during a crucial scene, irritating co-star Denzel Washington. This unexpected disruption became a memorable experience during the filming of the action-packed movie directed by Daniel Espinosa.
Details of the On-Set Disruption and Its Effect on Cast and Crew
Safe House centers on secret agents played by Reynolds and Washington, who must cooperate to survive against relentless mercenaries hunting them down. During the shooting of the story’s emotional climax—the final sequence—Reynolds’ phone ringtone interrupted a dramatic moment, causing frustration among the director, crew, and Washington himself. The interruption sparked an exasperated outburst:
Who the fuck’s phone is that?
Reynolds described the scene as Washington’s character, wounded and dying amid the aftermath of a fierce battle, expresses regret and sorrow. As tears streamed down the character’s face during take two (after a technical problem halted take one), the unexpected sound of Frank Sinatra’s “Come Fly With Me,” which happened to be Reynolds’ ringtone at the time, cut through the silence.
Ryan Reynolds’ Reaction and Aftermath on Set
Attempting to deflect blame, Reynolds pretended to be as disturbed as everyone else on set, even joining in the annoyed reaction. He recounted standing among the stuntmen and exclaiming,
I stand up and look at all the stuntmen around me, and I go, ‘Who the fuck’s phone is that? Inexcusable!’
The Assistant Director soon figured out Reynolds was responsible but advised him to keep quiet about it. Reynolds remembered the exchange with Washington, who was resigned to repeating the take:
He was like, ‘D, can you do another one?’ And [Washington] was like, ‘We’re going to have to, aren’t we?’
Reynolds agreed, citing the stuntmen’s needs to maintain continuity:
And I’m like, ‘Yes, [because of] the stunt men!’ Inexcusable!
Looking back on the incident, Reynolds admitted his mistake with self-deprecating humor and recognized the frustration from those around him, particularly Washington:
Dumb-dumb is sitting on his phone. I’m dumb-dumb in this story. And I can feel everybody looking around like, ‘What the fuck is happening right now?’ I can see Denzel with a tear in his eye.
Safe House Success Despite On-Set Mishap
Despite this behind-the-scenes interruption, Safe House performed well commercially, grossing $208 million worldwide against its modest budget. The film became a sleeper hit for Universal Pictures in early 2012, showcasing the strong chemistry and intense performances from both Reynolds and Washington despite occasional on-set challenges.
Lasting Impact of the Phone Incident on Cast Dynamics
The story highlights the pressures and unpredictabilities that can arise during high-stakes filmmaking, especially in emotionally charged scenes. Reynolds’ anecdote not only reveals a lighter moment amid the intensity but also demonstrates Washington’s professionalism in handling the disruption. This episode remains a memorable example of the fine line between focus and frustration in the filmmaking process, especially when dealing with the emotional weight carried by actors during pivotal scenes.
