Ryan Reynolds Superhero Roles Count
Ryan Reynolds has played at least four major superheroes in live-action and animated projects. The count includes Wade Wilson / Deadpool in the Deadpool franchise, a cameo as Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and the role of Hal Jordan / Green Lantern in the 2011 Green Lantern film. He also voiced a version of Deadpool in the animated series and video game adaptations. Additional cameos and voice appearances may increase the total depending on how studios classify the roles. Forbes reported the latest Deadpool installment details.
The primary superhero characters are Wade Wilson / Deadpool and Hal Jordan / Green Lantern. Wade Wilson appears in Deadpool, Deadpool 2, and Deadpool & Wolverine, with the latter crossing into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hal Jordan appears in Green Lantern, which was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and released in 2011. The character has not returned in a major live-action project since that film. The Deadpool wiki lists his appearances across films and shows.
Deadpool Franchise and Marvel Studios
Deadpool first appeared on screen in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, produced by 20th Century Fox and released in 2009. Reynolds then starred as the lead in Deadpool, released in 2016 by 20th Century Fox, which became a major commercial hit. Deadpool 2 followed in 2018, also under Fox, before Disney completed its acquisition of 21st Century Fox assets. The SEC filing covered Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox.
Deadpool & Wolverine, released in 2024, marked the character's entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe under Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The film integrated Deadpool into the broader MCU timeline and introduced multiverse variants of the character. The Deadpool & Wolverine wiki page details the cast and plot. The role solidified Reynolds' status as the longest-running Deadpool in live-action film.
Green Lantern and Other Superhero Appearances
Green Lantern, released in 2011 by Warner Bros. Pictures, was Reynolds' first major superhero lead role outside the Deadpool character. The film was based on the DC Comics character Hal Jordan and was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Entertainment. The movie received mixed reviews and did not spawn a sequel, leaving Hal Jordan's live-action future uncertain. Forbes covered the legacy of Green Lantern and Reynolds' role.
Beyond Deadpool and Green Lantern, Reynolds has appeared in superhero-adjacent projects and voiced versions of Deadpool in animated and gaming formats. He has also participated in promotional and cameo appearances tied to Marvel and Disney properties. The Deadpool wiki tracks his full filmography and voice roles. The total number of distinct superhero characters he has portrayed remains at four major live-action and animated roles as of the latest public data.
