Most actors are nimble rogues in Hollywood—picking up a persona here, dropping one there. But in rare cases, a cosmic alignment crowns a single hero who fuses so completely with a character that prying the cape from their shoulders feels downright blasphemous. DC’s dimension-shaking swap of Henry Cavill
with David Corenswet still rattles fan realms today. Yet, one mantle, mortals and executives refuse to touch over the Marvel multiverse is Ryan Reynolds
as the wise-cracking, fourth-wall-breaking Deadpool.
Speaking of our crimson jester, ever wonder what kind of treasure Reynolds raked in for donning the red suit?
Deadpool (2016): A risk that paid off
Ryan Reynolds did not just play Deadpool; he uploaded his soul into the red-and-black nano weave while turning snark into an art form and fourth-wall demolition into a spectator sport. It all dates back to 2016, when the Canadian-born actor leaped from DC to make a name in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Following the DC flops, the actor first attached himself to the Deadpool
film after X-Men: Origins,
where he portrayed Wade Wilson/Weapon XI.
Deadpool
adhered to a characteristic development that adhered more closely to the Marvel Comics source material. The film was a major box office draw, which went on to shatter countless records. It opened worldwide to a staggering $264.9 million, becoming the biggest for an R-rated film in 2016 and the second-largest for Fox. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Reynolds, who
has a towering $350 million net worth, had a $2 million base salary in Deadpool
.
The first film grossed $782 million against a $58 million budget, allowing Reynolds to earn nearly 10 times because of a share of backend points. He made around $22 million in 2017, making him one of the 20 highest-paid actors of the year. However, in a conversation with The New York Times last year, Reynolds revealed
he “let go”
of the payment earned from the first film because the “little salary”
he was left with, he paid co-writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick to ensure its quality. However, with his belief in the process, he ultimately made it a billion-dollar franchise.
That said, how many shiny coins did Reynolds pocket for strapping on those katanas for a second time?
Deadpool 2 (2018): Capitalizing on success
Ryan Reynolds may not have known what bet he took with Deadpool in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But whatever he did, it paid off, making the buzz for Deadpool 2
very sensible. The 2018 sequel raked in a whopping $785.9 million against a $110 million budget, and the success of Deadpool
warranted the actor with a $20 million hike.
Though the exact number is not available, Reynolds is estimated to have received $30-40 million
after the profits of Deadpool 2.
Deadpool 2
remains the third-highest-grossing R-rated film of all time (via Celebrity Net Worth). The Deadpool
films’ success was a game-changer for the Canadian native, who now falls under the category of actors who can cash in $20 million upfront to star in a project. However, in the Deadpool
films, Reynolds’ creative impetus was far bigger than any other project he has been linked with.
While Reynolds may have turned his anti-hero theatrics into a money-making machine, how much was his salary for Deadpool & Wolverine
, the highest-grossing R-rated film?
So, how much did Ryan Reynolds make for Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)?
Since the COVID-19 pandemic cast a curse on theatrical releases, all fans have looked for is a savior. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe has plenty present, it had its own struggles with dipping box office statistics after Avengers: Endgame
. However, in 2024, after facing the delirious SAG-AFTRA strikes, when Deadpool & Wolverine
was released in the theatres in summer, all hell broke loose. The Shawn Levy directorial had a $200 million budget, making Deadpool & Wolverine
the most expensive film in the franchise.
Ryan Reynolds starred in, co-wrote, and co-produced the film, which was originally believed to be Deadpool 3
until Levy cleared the air.
Reynolds reunited with Hugh Jackman in the flick, which the latter calls a “romantic-comedy,”
raking in a jaw-dropping $1.338 billion globally. According to Showbiz Galore, Reynolds was rumored
to have received roughly $30 million to star in the Marvel movie
. However, considering the profit-sharing contract between him and the previous Deadpool
films, the actor may have made a far bigger fortune than one can count, since he turned out to be one of the highest-paid actors of 2024.
Ryan Reynolds has officially cemented his status as Marvel Jesus after giving it the box office boom it needed following a series of bottom-ranked releases. 9 years ago, he may have taken a leap of faith, letting go of his salary to ensure his vision of Deadpool landed without compromise. While the shockwaves from the DC power swap still ping down the hall of speculation, in the parallel dimension of Marvel, a golden rule is scrawled in cosmic crayon: touch not the Merc with a Mouth because it could end up in a billion-dollar loss.
Did you know about Ryan Reynolds’ earnings from Deadpool
(2016), Deadpool 2
(2018), and Deadpool & Wolverine
(2024)? Let us know in the comments below!