No, That's Not Really Ryan Reynolds Dancing to 'Bye Bye Bye' in “Deadpool & Wolverine”
“If it looks like the person who's dancing doesn't have arthritis, that's him," Reynolds said of his dance double — Dancepool
Note: This article contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine, in theaters now.
Ryan Reynolds has got the moves as Deadpool. But he’s no Justin Timberlake.
The opening credits of Deadpool & Wolverine feature Reynolds’ masked superhero dancing to some of the iconic choreography from *NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” music video. As the actor and co-writer explained in a recent press conference, it’s choreographer Nick Pauley who shares the spotlight in that scene.
“He's doing a lot of the moves that have been established previously by *NSYNC,” Reynolds, 47, said, per With Ashley and Company. “If it looks like the person who's dancing doesn't have arthritis, that's him.”
Mild spoilers follow: The scene in question involves the foul-mouthed Deadpool desecrating the grave of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine following the X-Men character’s death in the 2017 film Logan. Using Wolverine’s adamantium bones, he bloodily dispatches members of the Time Variance Authority seeking to capture him — while dancing along to “Bye Bye Bye” as it plays.
Pauley is named as “Dancepool” in the credits for Deadpool & Wolverine. The dancer-choreographer and content creator also appeared in the 2020 film The Prom and music videos for Katy Perry and Doja Cat.
“There's the moments where, you know, there's a bit of a pop and lock,” said Reynolds, indicating those moments are of him in Deadpool’s suit on camera. “The pop really pops, like it cracks. And the lock will not unlock."
“I will hang on Nick Pauley's talent,” the Canadian actor added. “I will hang my hat on his talent there and thank him for his contribution and services.”
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Pauley took to social media to celebrate being Reynolds’ “double for the opening scene of the entire movie!!! Like what?!? What is life?”
To Reynolds and director Shawn Levy, Pauley wrote, “thank you for your encouragement and enthusiasm when bringing me onboard. It gave me a lot of purpose.” He also shared a video of him learning and practicing the *NSYNC choreography on short notice to audition for the part.
Related: How to Watch X-Men Movies in Order: From the Original X-Men to Deadpool's Return
Following 2016’s Deadpool and 2018’s Deadpool 2, Deadpool & Wolverine is the first in the series released by Walt Disney Studios. It is considered part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe following Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox including the X-Men characters. Its July 26 premiere became the biggest R-rated opening of all time and the eighth-biggest domestic opening of all time.
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Deadpool & Wolverine is now in theaters.
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