Ryan Reynolds’ R-Rated Star Wars Pitch to Disney: Could It Transform the Franchise?

Ryan Reynolds recently proposed a daring idea for an R-rated Star Wars project to Disney, though it’s still uncertain whether this concept will be brought to life.

During an episode of The Box Office Podcast, the actor famous for his role in Deadpool discussed various projects outside his usual Marvel cinematic universe. He revealed his pitch to Disney but didn’t clarify if they have decided to move forward with it or whether it would manifest as a film or television series. Nevertheless, he elaborated on his vision for what such a bold venture might entail.

“I suggested to Disney that we explore an R-rated Star Wars title,” Reynolds explained. “It wouldn’t necessarily need to focus on the most famous characters. There are plenty of lesser-known characters that could lead such a story. And by R-rated, I don’t just mean adding vulgarity. I see it as a gateway to deeper emotional storytelling, something I believe studios should be more willing to take a risk on.”

Reynolds has a notable track record with R-rated films, having been a key figure in three of the top five highest-grossing R-rated films ever: Deadpool, Deadpool 2, and Deadpool & Wolverine. The latter, a crude Marvel team-up featuring Hugh Jackman alongside Reynolds, remains the top-grossing R-rated film, amassing over $1.3 billion according to Box Office Mojo.

While it’s uncertain if the success of his previous R-rated ventures would carry over to a Star Wars adaptation, Reynolds expressed that the concept is something he often contemplates. However, he clarified that he would prefer not to act in this potential project, instead focusing on roles such as producer or writer to bring fresh elements to the well-known franchise.

“Being on-screen wouldn’t be the right fit for me in such a project,” Reynolds added. “I’d rather help craft the story from behind the scenes. Unique intellectual properties often thrive on rarity and surprise. Although Star Wars isn’t scarce on Disney+, there’s still room to surprise the audience.”

Meanwhile, Reynolds continues his involvement with Marvel. Although he’s skeptical about his character joining the Avengers, he has been advocating for a crossover film featuring Deadpool and the X-Men.

As for the Star Wars universe, it might be a while before Reynolds’ idea materializes, if at all. For those interested in upcoming expansions of the Star Wars galaxy, Shawn Levy is currently developing Star Wars: Starfighter, with few details available although Ryan Gosling is confirmed to star.