You probably missed it. Or maybe you blinked. If you were watching David Leitch’s neon-soaked 2022 action flick Bullet Train, there is a very specific moment at the end where the "true" villain of the story is revealed. And it isn't some faceless stuntman. It’s Ryan Reynolds.
He’s on screen for maybe two seconds.
He doesn’t speak. He just stands there, looking vaguely smug, while a flashback reveals he’s the guy who actually set the entire plot in motion. Honestly, it’s one of those "if you know, you know" moments that makes the theater gasp for a second before the credits roll. But why was he there? Why would one of the biggest movie stars on the planet show up for a role that basically required him to just stand in a driveway?
The answer is a mix of Hollywood brotherhood, a "debt" involving a cup of coffee, and a director who has spent decades jumping off buildings for Brad Pitt.
The Carver Reveal: Who Was Ryan Reynolds Playing?
In the movie, Brad Pitt plays Ladybug, an unlucky assassin who just wants a peaceful job. He’s filling in for a guy named Carver. Throughout the film, Ladybug complains about Carver. Carver "called in sick" with a stomach bug. Carver is the reason Ladybug is on this nightmare train.
Then we get the twist.
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Carver didn’t just have a stomach ache. He was the one who actually killed the White Death’s wife in a car accident years prior. The White Death (Michael Shannon) spent the whole movie trying to lure Carver onto the train to kill him. Because Carver didn't show up, Ladybug took the heat for a crime he didn't commit.
When we finally see Carver’s face in the flashback, it’s Reynolds. He’s the "real" Carver. It’s a hilarious bait-and-switch because the movie builds Carver up to be this legendary, terrifying hitman, and then it’s just the guy from Deadpool looking like he’s having a great Tuesday.
Why the Bullet Train Ryan Reynolds Cameo Happened
This wasn’t just random casting. It was a massive "thank you" note.
Back in 2018, Ryan Reynolds managed to get Brad Pitt to appear in Deadpool 2. If you remember that movie, Pitt played The Vanisher. He was invisible for his entire role until he hit some power lines and was electrocuted, revealing his face for roughly 0.8 seconds.
The "Cup of Coffee" Deal
The story goes that when Reynolds asked Pitt to do the Deadpool 2 cameo, Pitt agreed on one condition: Reynolds had to hand-deliver a specific cup of coffee to him.
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It was a joke, mostly. But Pitt did the role for a literal pittance (scale pay) and that coffee. So, when David Leitch—who directed Deadpool 2 and Bullet Train—approached Reynolds for a return favor, the answer was an immediate yes.
Leitch told Insider that he basically just pitched it as: "Hey, remember that time Brad died on a power line for you? It's time to pay up."
Reynolds didn't even need to see a script. He just showed up.
The David Leitch Connection
You can't talk about Bullet Train Ryan Reynolds trivia without mentioning David Leitch. The guy is a legend in the stunt world.
Before he was directing massive blockbusters, Leitch was Brad Pitt’s personal stunt double. He doubled for Pitt in Fight Club, Troy, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith. They have a shorthand that most actors and directors never achieve.
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This deep-rooted history is why Bullet Train feels so packed with cameos. It’s not just Reynolds. You’ve got Channing Tatum playing a confused passenger and Sandra Bullock as the voice in Pitt's ear. It feels like a group of friends who all happened to be in the same tax bracket decided to make a movie together in Tokyo.
Is Carver Coming Back?
Since the movie came out, fans have been obsessed with a "Carver Theory."
The idea is that Carver didn't actually have a stomach bug. He’s an elite assassin. Some people think he knew the train was a death trap set by the White Death and intentionally manipulated Maria (Sandra Bullock) into sending Ladybug in his place.
If a sequel ever happens, a showdown between Brad Pitt’s Ladybug and Ryan Reynolds’ Carver would be box office gold. One is the world’s unluckiest man, and the other is a guy who manages to avoid a massacre by faking a stomach ache.
What This Means for Movie Fans
This kind of meta-casting is becoming the new "post-credits scene." It rewards people for paying attention to Hollywood lore. It also shows that even at the highest levels of fame, these guys are still just trading favors like kids swapping baseball cards.
If you’re planning to rewatch the film, keep an eye on the flashbacks near the end. It’s a blink-and-miss-it moment, but it’s the glue that holds the entire messy, violent plot together.
Actionable Insights for Movie Buffs:
- Watch for the Flashback: The cameo happens during the explanation of the car crash involving the White Death's wife.
- Check out Deadpool 2: If you haven't seen Brad Pitt's "Vanisher" moment, watch it immediately after Bullet Train to see the other half of the trade.
- The Director's Cameo: Keep an eye out for David Leitch himself—he actually dies in the movie too (he's one of the people killed by Lemon and Tangerine in a flashback).
- Follow the Stunt Pedigree: If you like the style of Bullet Train, look into 87North Productions. It’s Leitch’s company, and they’re responsible for the specific "stunt-first" storytelling you see in John Wick and Atomic Blonde.