Channing Tatum’s admiration for Ryan Reynolds runs deep. On Monday, the “21 Jump Street” star shared heartfelt Instagram photos of him and the “Deadpool” actor at San Diego Comic-Con, both from 2015 and this weekend’s event. Tatum expressed profound gratitude for Reynolds’ unwavering support in his heartfelt caption.
Reflecting on nearly a decade ago, Tatum recounted the first preview of the “Deadpool” movie at Comic-Con. “I ran backstage right after and hugged him, saying ‘holy shit you did it man,'” he recalled. This marked the beginning of a strong bond between the two stars. Tatum noted, “I didn’t know him really at all back then. But since then I can say that there is almost no one that has had my back in this industry more than Ryan.”
Tatum, now appearing as Gambit in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” thanked Reynolds for making his superhero dreams a reality. He reminisced about nearly losing the role of Gambit after Disney shelved the standalone film in 2019. “But he fought for me and Gambit,” Tatum said. “I will owe him probably forever. Cause I’m not sure how I could ever do something that would be equal to what this has meant to me.”
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The post also acknowledged “Deadpool & Wolverine” director Shawn Levy. “Truly such a brilliant creator on every single level,” Tatum praised. He continued, “All things happen for a reason. I’m so grateful to be in this movie. It’s a masterpiece in my opinion. And just pure badass joy. I was literally screaming in the theater. LFG!!”
The opportunity to finally portray Gambit deeply impacted Tatum, who previously revealed to Variety his heartbreak over the canceled project. “Once Gambit went away, I was so traumatized… I shut off my Marvel machine,” he admitted in 2022. “I haven’t been able to see any of the movies.”
Tatum’s enduring passion for the character underscores his gratitude. “I loved that character. It was just too sad. It was like losing a friend because I was so ready to play him.”
Channing Tatum’s touching tribute to Ryan Reynolds highlights a remarkable friendship in Hollywood, showcasing the power of support and perseverance in achieving one’s dreams.
