Ryan Reynolds Invites 9-Year-Old "Deadpool" Fan with Cancer to Watch Soccer Game in Sweet Video

11/13/2024 03:30 PM

Blake Lively also joined the call to say a quick hello to the boy while teasing her husband, who co-owns the Welsh football team, Wrexham AFC

Ryan Reynolds embraced his Deadpool personal — a PG-rated one, of course — to cheer up a 9-year-old fan with cancer.

The actor, 48, had a video call with Riley, a fan who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma last year and, as part of his treatment for the cancer, had part of his leg amputated. As the Cleveland Clinic explains, osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that causes tumors, which in turn "create immature, irregular, diseased bone." 

"Boo!" Reynolds began the call, stone-faced, before smiling to greet the fan in a video shared to X, the platform previously known as Twitter.

"Well, hello there, Riley," Reynolds said warmly. "I'm so excited to meet you. I've heard so much about you."

"I like your shirt," he added, referencing the Deadpool & Wolverine top worn by Riley, who lives in the seaside town of Hartlepool, England.

Related: Ryan Reynolds Reveals He's Writing a Non-Marvel Movie for Him, Hugh Jackman and Deadpool & Wolverine Director

The virtual meeting happened after Micky Day, who works with the cancer charity Miles for Men, mentioned Riley's wish during an appearance on the radio show BBC Tees. Reynolds heard the appeal and reached out.

"You've been going through a lot," Reynolds told Riley. "And I cannot wait to meet you."

As Riley's mom, Sarah, shared withBBC, Reynolds invited the family to meet up at Wrexham AFC, the football club he co-owns with pal Rob McElhenney.

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"I'm going to make sure this is one of the best days of your life," Reynolds said about the invitation to see the Welsh team play.

When Reynolds' wife Blake Lively popped onscreen to say hello, she also noticed the fan's shirt.

"You're wearing Deadpool and Wolverine. Which one's your favorite?" Lively, 37, asked. 

Related: A History of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman's Playful Feud — As the Wolverine Actor Turns 56 Today!

"Deadpool!" Reynolds said out of the corner of his mouth in a high-pitched voice, then added, "Oh, that's a nice thing to say!"

Lively covered her husband's ears, whispering, "I won't tell," while Riley could be heard giggling in the background. 

"Well, it was nice to meet you both," Lively said before leaving the camera's view. 

"Yeah, it was nice to meet you, as well," Reynolds told her.

"Wolverine was his favorite, I can tell," Lively retorted.

"I have no idea who that was," Reynolds told Riley as the fan continued to laugh. "Thank you for playing along. I was frightened as well."

Thank you, @VancityReynolds, for making Riley's #Deadpool dream come true 🥹❤️ https://t.co/SzQRcPbQTLpic.twitter.com/4EayabCyTX

— BBC Tees (@BBCTees) November 12, 2024

While his mother Sarah told BBC that her son was "starstruck," she added, "You could see what it meant to him."

"Thank you for taking the time to chat," Reynolds told Riley. "I really, really liked hanging out with you…lots of love, okay?"

"It was incredible that they took so much time out of their busy day to make one little boy feel special," Sarah said. "Dreams do come true."

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