Movies | Arts & Culture | Theater | Yale Schwarzman Center
Dan Renzetti/Yale University Photo.
The following is published in partnership with the Inner-City News, with which the Arts Paper cross-publishes articles. Thank you to them for seven wonderful years of collaboration and partnership!
The line spanned several blocks of College Street, as fans of all ages—some in Wolverine or Deadpool costume—waited to see actor Ryan Reynolds and director Shawn Levy at Woolsey Hall in a conversation hosted by Yale Schwarzman Center and moderated by film critic Kevin McCarthy. The duo, who began a creative partnership in 2019, have produced three films which have not only grossed $1.6 billion worldwide but have also resonated deeply with audiences, blending humor, heart, and relatable experiences.
The duo walked onstage to thunderous applause—Reynolds, dripping in charisma, deadpan humor and impish mischief, and Levy, who remarked that being back in New Haven was like coming home (he graduated from Yale in 1989). For the next two hours, they pulled back the curtain on their creative partnership, showcasing the relentless drive, emotional storytelling and adaptability that have defined their acclaimed body of work. The discussion was punctuated by video clips from The Adam Project, Deadpool vs Wolverine and Free Guy.
Central to Reynolds and Levy’s body of work is the shared philosophy of offering a counterpoint to the cynical nature of modern times. Drawing from their personal experiences—some of which include childhood trauma—they have created stories that are ultimately about positivity, human connection, and hope.
"We’re trying to put a feeling into the world," said Levy, emphasizing evoking strong emotional connections reigns supreme, no matter the genre. Reynolds agreed, recalling their early days working together on the Acela train between New York City and Boston, where they would brainstorm ideas and constantly refine them into something meaningful.
“Was it pretentious to buy all four seats on the train so we could work? Absolutely!” he joked.
When it comes to filmmaking, Reynolds and Levy have gone to great lengths to create a culture of creativity, flexibility and spontaneity. Nowhere is this more evident than in Reynolds’ iconic Deadpool dance scene set to *NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye,” which was conceived during post-production, or the late-breaking idea of having Jody Comer sing a rearranged version of Mariah Carey's "Never Born” in Free Guy. For Levy, this willingness to pivot is essential to the filmmaking process, allowing them to respond to the evolving voice of the movie.
"If you build a culture of ‘the best idea wins,’ then you make it clear that you want everyone to give you the good shit,” Reynolds explained, highlighting their commitment to listening to the "voice" of the movie and following where it leads.
The duo ended the evening with questions from the audience, and in a show of spectacular spontaneity, suggested that one eager fan had even submitted a question by video. The audience was shocked and let out an audible gasp as Hugh Jackman came on the screen with a question about why Reynolds and Levy didn't include him in this event.
Fans quickly thrusted up their phones to catch this hilarious moment, and Reynolds even brought waters to two passionate fans dressed in full Deadpool and Wolverine costumes. “It’s gotta be hot in there – you’re working way too hard,” he quipped to the delight of the laughing audience.
Through their body of work, Reynolds and Levy have spun stories to make people laugh, to inspire, and to offer an escape from the heartbreak of the world. Together, they create narratives filled with joy, humor, and heart, leaving audiences with stories that uplift and resonate long after the credits roll.