While many “Deadpool & Wolverine” quips have become fan favorites, like Gambit’s “I’m boutta’ make a name for myself here,” star and screenwriter Ryan Reynolds has a more sentimental take on which lines were his favorite to write.
“The thing I’m probably most proud of was the Wolverine speech in the van where he just tears Deadpool a new one,” said Reynolds. “To me, it’s one of the most beautiful scenes in the movie because you see what a raw, visceral, powerhouse of an actor Hugh Jackman is. But you also see the roles reversed. You see a character who is never verbose, who is a Clint Eastwood archetype, suddenly going, ‘Oh yeah, man? Well, I can talk too.’”
Reynolds was one of the 25 people honored at Hamilton’s 13th annual Behind the Camera Awards, presented by Variety, which celebrates and recognizes the work of below-the-line filmmakers. Some of the award winners at this year’s event, which took place Thursday night at the Hollywood Athletic Club, included Reynolds for best screenplay, “Saturday Night” composer Jon Batiste for best original score, “Fall Guy” stunt designer Chris O’Hara for best stunts, “The Last Showgirl” helmer Gia Coppola for best directing and “Dune: Part Two” editor Joe Walker for best editing.
“So many people came together to make this film what it is. This infusion of joy and emotion and warmth and heart and all the things that we love so, so much,” said Reynolds in his acceptance speech. “I am incredibly proud of this movie, not just because of the film’s performance at the box office, that’s not remotely important. Unless you don’t follow or track box office, in which case let me tell you, it’s extraordinary.”
“Inside Out 2” director Kelsey Mann took home the award for best animation. Having helmed the highest-grossing film of 2024, Mann delivered an emotional acceptance speech as he reflected on the impact of the Pixar mega-blockbuster.
“When I made this film, I wanted to make a really fun film. I wanted to make a film that was for everyone regardless of your age or where you live,” Mann said. “But most importantly, I wanted to make a movie that made a meaningful impact on this world. And hearing the world’s response to it, I really feel like we did that.”
Harper Steele, half of the starring duo in the documentary “Will & Harper,” presented Kristen Wiig, Sean Douglas and director Josh Greenbaum the best original song award for “Harper and Will Go West.” After Wiig agreed to write and perform the song for the doc, Steele and her co-star Will Ferrell heard nothing for weeks and assumed she ghosted them. However, when Greenbaum showed Steele and Ferrell the film’s third and final cut, the song had been miraculously added, prompting a joyous moment between the two lifelong friends.
“There was her song, ‘Will and Harper Go West,’ sweet, funny, totally perfect. Will and I lost it,” Steele said. “We were both overjoyed and we both cried. I shouldn’t have been surprised.”
“Harper, you are one of the most beautiful, special people I know,” Wiig said upon receiving her award. “You let us into your life and your struggles and joy and family. What you and Will have made has really shifted everyone who has seen it, and I am really honored to just be a little part of it.”
