Ryan Reynolds has finally confessed to being the "a--hole" who leaked the Deadpool test footage back in 2014, a move he believes was instrumental in getting the film greenlit. The actor made the admission during a conversation at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Friday, September 5, 2025.

Reynolds revealed that the studio, 20th Century Fox, was initially hesitant to move forward with the Deadpool project. He had shot the test footage a couple of years prior, but the studio wasn't convinced, particularly given their reservations about backing an R-rated superhero movie. Reynolds explained that Deadpool was a "fringe character" that people didn't really know, and he loved the character's self-aware nature, knowing he was in a comic book movie. He felt the test footage was a good representation of how the concept could work, but the studio remained unwilling to move forward.

Frustrated by the studio's reluctance, Reynolds took matters into his own hands. "Yes, I cheated a little, but I think I was onto something that people would be interested in," Reynolds admitted at TIFF. He acknowledged the potential ethical implications of his actions but ultimately felt justified in his decision. "And I'm grateful that I listened to that instinct, and I'm grateful that I did the wrong thing in that moment," he stated.

The leaked footage generated massive interest from fans online. The overwhelmingly positive response prompted 20th Century Fox to reconsider their position and ultimately greenlight the Deadpool movie. The film went on to become a massive success, proving Reynolds' instincts correct.

Reynolds jokingly recounted the aftermath of the leak, saying, "Some a--hole leaks it online and I'm like, you know, looking at the guy in the mirror brushing my teeth," finally taking credit for the leak for the first time.

The Deadpool test footage, directed by Tim Miller, featured Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth in a scene showcasing the character's signature humor and violent fighting style. The footage was crucial in demonstrating the potential of an R-rated superhero film, which was a departure from the family-friendly fare that dominated the genre at the time. The leaked test reel included the red suit, which Reynolds' character jokingly explains is "so bad guys can't see me bleed". The test footage's bridge scene formed the finished film's opening.

The success of Deadpool paved the way for other R-rated superhero films and demonstrated the power of fan enthusiasm in shaping the direction of major studio projects. Reynolds' willingness to take a risk and "cheat a little" ultimately paid off, solidifying Deadpool's place in pop culture and changing the landscape of superhero cinema.