Ryan Reynolds jokingly mocked The Greatest Showman and its star, Hugh Jackman, continuing their track record of jovially insulting each other. The pair have a long history of ridiculing one another and their projects, although it’s all in good fun. Their light-hearted quarrels began while filming X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), which introduced a disappointing version of Reynolds' Deadpool, though a much more comic-accurate depiction of the character came to theaters in 2016.
The mock feud between the actors even managed to find its way into Reynolds’ work. Jokes about the rivalry ended up in Deadpool and its promotional material, bringing their fight to a wider audience. While Jackman certainly doesn’t shy away from occasionally firing back, it appears that the joke is mainly perpetuated by Reynolds, prompting many to ask him what inspires it. Reynolds has said in the past that there’s something about Jackman’s genuine kindness that just gets under his skin, making him lash out.
Keeping up their running gag, Reynolds pokes fun at The Greatest Showman during an interview with Yahoo! Entertainment. Two child reporters ask Reynolds why he’s “so mean to The Greatest Showman?” Reynolds comically fumes, furious that Jackman demands to be given such a pompous title, especially when Reynolds supplied an array of different names that he finds much more fitting. Read the full quote below:
OK, Luna. These are the kinds of questions I like. I know for a fact he's the one who named that movie. I think it's pathetic and disgusting that he called the movie that. And I think it's pathetic and disgusting that he insists people call him The Greatest Showman everywhere he goes, including you, just young, impressionable kids. Goodness gracious. ... He is The Greatest Showman, one might say. They didn't go with my title, which I liked way better, which was Mediocre Showman or Meh Showman. No, they went with greatest. Preposterous.
While The Greatest Showman obviously isn’t to Reynolds’ taste, there are many who disagree. Although the movie musical was set up to fail as it was bombarded with unfavorable reviews prior to its release and went on to have a somber opening weekend, it turned itself around shortly after. The Greatest Showman quickly accumulated a massive fanbase as audiences spread the word about this (at the time) underrated musical, eventually earning it a spot as one of the highest-grossing movie musicals of all time.
Despite their supposed hatred for one another, it’s clear that they care for each other. On more than one occasion there has been a break in the bickering, providing a more sincere look at their friendship, like when Jackman offered support after Reynolds opened up about his anxiety. It’s become clear that the playful arguing is just another way that these actors show their appreciation of one another. Especially after this The Greatest Showman comment, it doesn’t look like Reynolds and Jackman’s squabbling is going away anytime soon, which is great news for fans who love to see their public quarrelling.
Source: Yahoo! Entertainment