You’ve probably seen the posters. Or maybe you caught a glimpse of a neon-drenched trailer featuring a charismatic blonde guy doing high-octane stunts and cracked a joke about "that guy from Deadpool."
But here’s the thing: Ryan Reynolds isn’t in The Fall Guy.
It’s a weirdly common mistake. In fact, if you search for Ryan Reynolds Fall Guy, you’ll find thousands of people who were convinced the Canadian actor was leading the 2024 action flick. Instead, it’s Ryan Gosling—the other famous Hollywood Ryan—taking the hits and driving the trucks.
Honestly, the confusion makes sense. We’ve spent the last decade watching Reynolds dominate the "meta-action-comedy" genre. From the self-aware snark of Deadpool to the video-game logic of Free Guy, he’s basically become the face of movies that wink at the audience while things blow up. So, when David Leitch (who directed Reynolds in Deadpool 2) announced a movie about a stuntman that breaks the fourth wall, our brains just naturally slotted Reynolds into the lead role.
The Ryan Reynolds Fall Guy Connection That Almost Was
The link between the actor and this movie isn't just a case of mistaken identity. It’s rooted in a very real professional history. David Leitch, the director of The Fall Guy, is a former stuntman himself and a long-time collaborator with Reynolds.
Leitch directed Deadpool 2. He worked on Hobbs & Shaw. He has a specific "vibe"—kinetic, funny, and deeply respectful of the people who actually do the falling. Because Leitch and Reynolds have such a strong track record, industry insiders and fans alike assumed Reynolds would at least pop up for a cameo.
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He didn’t.
In a move that actually surprised some critics, the movie broke Leitch’s unofficial streak of featuring Reynolds in his projects. Instead of a quick quip from Wade Wilson, the film’s biggest "A-list" surprise cameo went to Jason Momoa. Momoa shows up at the very end to play the "star" of the fictional movie within the movie, Metalstorm.
Why Our Brains Swap the Two Ryans
It’s not just the name. Both actors have mastered a very specific type of "modern leading man" energy, though they use it differently.
Reynolds usually plays the guy who knows he’s in a movie. He’s the narrator. He’s the one controlling the joke. Gosling, especially in The Fall Guy, plays it straighter. He’s a guy stuck in a situation that is ridiculous, but he’s reacting to it like a real human being who is tired and slightly concussed.
There’s also the Free Guy factor. Because Free Guy and The Fall Guy share half a title and a similar "average joe in an extraordinary world" premise, the SEO in our heads just got tangled. One is about a background character in a game; the other is about a background worker on a film set. Basically, they are thematic cousins.
The Stuntman Factor: Real Life vs. Cinema
One reason people keep looking for Ryan Reynolds Fall Guy news is because of how much Reynolds champions his own stunt team. He’s been vocal about giving credit to the guys who wear the red suit when he’s not allowed to jump off buildings.
The Fall Guy is essentially a two-hour love letter to those people. It features:
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- Logan Holladay, the stunt driver who actually broke a Guinness World Record for the most cannon rolls in a car (eight and a half, if you’re counting).
- Troy Brown, who performed a 150-foot high fall.
- Ben Jenkin, who took the "man on fire" hits.
While Reynolds isn’t on screen, his influence on the genre is everywhere. The way the movie balances romance with bone-crunching practical effects is exactly the kind of sandbox Reynolds usually plays in.
What You Should Actually Watch
If you came here looking for a Ryan Reynolds fix, you’ve got plenty of options that aren't this movie. If you want the "stuntman energy," go back and watch the behind-the-scenes footage of Deadpool. If you want the meta-commentary on being an "extra" in your own life, Free Guy is your best bet.
However, if you can get past the lack of Reynolds, The Fall Guy is actually one of the better action movies of the last few years. It’s got Emily Blunt being charmingly chaotic, a dog that only responds to French commands (named Jean-Claude, obviously), and some of the most impressive car chases since Mad Max: Fury Road.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Stop looking for the Ryan Reynolds cameo—it’s not hidden in the post-credits scene. But if you want to dive deeper into why this movie matters for the industry:
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- Watch the Credits: Unlike most movies where you bolt for the exit, The Fall Guy shows the actual stunt performers doing the work side-by-side with the actors during the roll.
- Support the Stunt Category: There’s a massive push right now to get an "Outstanding Stunt Performance" category at the Oscars. Following the stunt coordinators from this film (like Kelly McCormick and David Leitch) on social media is the best way to keep up with that movement.
- Check the "Free Guy" Sequel News: If you’re truly looking for Ryan Reynolds' next big project, keep an eye on Deadpool & Wolverine updates or the long-rumored Free Guy 2 script status, which is where that specific brand of "Guy" energy will actually return.
The confusion between the two Ryans might be a meme at this point, but it highlights how much we’ve come to associate high-concept action comedy with one specific guy from Vancouver. Just this once, it was the guy from London, Ontario, taking the fall.