Not many actors have the kind of varied career that Ryan Reynolds has. From raunchy comedies like Waiting... to subversive superhero flicks like the Deadpool films and all-ages blockbusters like Detective Pikachu, Reynolds has done films in just about every genre, and almost never without his trademark charisma and sense of humor.
With a career as extensive as his though, there's bound to be a number of roles he missed out on. A different DC Comics superhero, a famous Chevy Chase role, and an immortal warrior are just a few of the roles the Vancouver-born actor came close to playing at different points in time.
Dr. David Jordan in Life (2017)
While Reynolds did reunite with Deadpool writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick on this flick, he was originally set to star in the lead role of medical officer Dr. David Jordan. Scheduling conflicts with filming The Hitman’s Bodyguard at the time forced him to cede the role to buddy Jake Gyllenhaal, with Reynolds himself sliding into the supporting role of engineer Rory Adams instead.
So things worked out pretty well in the end but the same can’t be said for the film’s characters though.
Ben Barber in Ride Along (2014)
It's hard to picture it now but Ride Along almost didn't star Kevin Hart and Ice Cube. Back in 2005, Variety reported that the lead roles were going to be played by Reynolds and Dwayne Johnson, with the film directed by Roger Kumble. The project lingered in development hell for several years and everyone involved dropped out, leading to director Tim Story, Hart, and Ice Cube signing on instead.
While the pairing of Reynolds and Johnson sounds great, Reynolds feels like he would have been somewhat miscast here: while the role may have been rewritten to fit Hart, it's hard to see Reynolds playing the same character. Regardless, Reynolds went on to work with both Hart and Johnson in a cameo role in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw, and will actually star alongside Johnson in Red Notice.
One of the three leads in Horrible Bosses (2011)
2011’s Horrible Bosses had been in the works since at least 2005 and saw a number of actors become attached and drop out for one reason or another throughout its long development period, including Reynolds, as well as the likes of Johnny Knoxville, Ashton Kutcher, and Dax Shepard. Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, and Charlie Day were eventually cast, with the film becoming one of the highest-grossing hits of that year.
Reynolds would have been fun to see in this film, as his sensibilities feel tailor-made for this kind of dark comedy. And while the film was perfectly cast, it would have been nice to see Reynolds score a hit in 2011, a year which saw him star in two flops back-to-back, Green Lantern and The Change-Up (which ironically paired him with Jason Bateman).
Walter Keane in Big Eyes (2014)
As reported back in 2012, Reynolds and Reese Witherspoon were going to star as Walter Keane and his wife, artist Margaret Keane, respectively in Big Eyes, which focused on how Walter took credit for Margaret's acclaimed paintings of people with large eyes before Margaret sued him. The two actors remained attached until 2013 when they were replaced by Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz.
It would have been interesting to see how Reynolds handled the role of Walter. While the actor has played some lovable jerks in the past, this would have been a more villainous turn for him, and he could have had fun turning his usual charisma and charm on its head to play a more manipulative character.
Tim Avery/The Mask in Son of the Mask (2005)
Comedian Jamie Kennedy recently took to his YouTube account to discuss what happened behind-the-scenes with his notoriously panned Son of the Mask, the Jim Carrey-less sequel to 1994’s The Mask. According to Kennedy, New Line had met with him for the lead but was also considering his Scream co-star Matthew Lillard, Marlon Wayans, and Reynolds, who apparently was actively pursuing the part. Reynolds eventually signed on for Blade: Trinity instead.
Reynolds almost seems like a better fit for the part given his comedic repertoire, as his quick wit and snarky delivery could have worked for both Tim and The Mask, offering something similar yet somewhat removed from Carrey’s take. Given a better script, Reynolds could have knocked this one out of the park.
Wally West/The Flash in David S. Goyer's unmade The Flash film (2004)
Coming off of Blade: Trinity, Reynolds was set to reteam with writer/director David S. Goyer on The Flash for Warner Bros., with Reynolds playing Wally West. The film was set to be tonally similar to Sam Raimi's Spider-Man films, though creative differences led to Goyer leaving the project in 2007, and Reynolds was no longer attached to star.
Reynolds would have been a great pick for the role around that time, embodying the quick wit and easygoing charisma that Wally West is known for having. But judging by Goyer's hit-and-miss track record, it's hard to say if the film would have been a success or not. Reynolds would go on to play another DC superhero in Green Lantern, though that film was definitely not a success.
A role in Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
On an episode of Variety's Actors on Actors series in 2016, Reynolds revealed that he had failed an audition for Inside Llewyn Davis. Reynolds didn't mention which part he read for but stated that "It wasn't the right fit, unfortunately."
He joked that the Coen Brothers were "quietly shaking their heads" throughout his audition. He'd be welcome in a Coen Brothers project at some point.
Irwin M. "Fletch" Fletcher in both Kevin Smith's and Bill Lawrence's unmade Fletch Won (2000, 2007)
Reynolds and Chevy Chase are cut from the same cloth when it comes to playing smug wiseasses, with one of Chase's most famous roles being the snarky titular reporter in 1985's Fletch. Ever since the late '90s, a reboot/prequel called Fletch Won had been in the works, and Reynolds was considered for the lead role not once but twice.
In 2000, he was the favored pick of producer David List (despite the project's then-director Kevin Smith wanting Jason Lee), and was pursued in 2007 when Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence was on board to direct. As spot-on as he would have been in the part, Reynolds declined interest both times, stating that Chase's performance as Fletch is "hallowed ground."
Connor MacLeod in Juan Carlos Fresnadillo's unmade Highlander reboot (2012)
The Highlander reboot took a step forward in June 2012 when 28 Weeks Later filmmaker Juan Carlos Fresnadillo signed on to direct and Reynolds was cast in the role of Connor MacLeod. Reynolds might have seemed like an odd choice for the role at the time, though he's had experience with both sword-fighting (as Deadpool) and Scottish accents (as the voice of Mr. Whiskers in The Voices).
Creative differences however led to Fresnadillo dropping out of directing in December 2012, followed by Reynolds in June 2013. Last heard, John Wick co-director Chad Stehelski was on board to helm the reboot, though there's been little movement on the project since then.
Alexander "Xander" Harris on Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
To this day, Buffy the Vampire Slayer remains iconic. Interestingly enough, the role of Buffy's wisecracking friend Xander was initially offered to Reynolds, though he passed on the role. As the actor explained back in 2008 however, "....my biggest concern was that I didn't want to play a guy in high school. I had just come out of high school and it was f------ awful."
Many fans can relate to that mindset. The role of course then went to Nicholas Brendon who was the perfect fit, as many fans will agree.