Ryan Reynolds shares why it took six years to make ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’

Earlier this year, Ryan Reynolds’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” took the world by storm.

And now he’s sharing why it took him six years to make the movie after “Deadpool 2” premiered in 2018.

While talking with fellow actor Andrew Garfield for Variety’s “Actors on Actors” series, Reynolds admitted he’s not sure if there will ever be another “Deadpool” movie created by him.

“So it had been six years since the last one, and part of the reason is that it swallows my whole life,” Reynolds explained. “I have four kids.”

Reynolds and his wife, actress Blake Lively, share 10-year-old James, 8-year-old Inez, 5-year-old Betty and 1-year-old Olin.

“And I don’t ever want to be an absentee [dad],” he continued. “I kind of die inside when I see their faces, and they do a sports thing or something and I missed it.”

As a result, Reynolds said, “I don’t know what the future of ‘Deadpool’ will be, but I do know that we made the movie to be a complete experience instead of a commercial for another one.”

This isn’t the first time Reynolds has made adjustments to his career to ensure he was getting enough time with his family.

While on the red carpet for his 2021 movie, “Red Notice,” he talked about stepping away from Hollywood to be around for his young and growing family.

“It’s really about getting some quality time with my kids before they are teenagers who loathe me,” Reynolds joked, according to Entertainment Tonight.

A year later, while premiering his 2022 holiday film “Spirited,” Reynolds reminisced on his break. “I took a year off, I just love being home with my family and you know, taking the kids to school. I have so many other aspects of my life that keep me busy.”

In a 2023 interview with CNBC’s “Power Lunch,” following the birth of his fourth child, Reynolds told the hosts. “Look, we wouldn’t do this four times if we didn’t love it.”

Reynolds and Lively have always been staunch supporters of keeping their kids out of the spotlight.

However, to keep his family close during the movie making process, Reynolds did include his wife and four kids in the “Deadpool & Wolverine” movie.

In August, Reynolds even shared a rare photo of his kids on set.

James was credited as the “Screaming Mutant.” Betty was credited as “Hugh Jackman’s Wrangler,” Inez as “Kidpool,” and Olin was listed as “Babypool.”