- Ryan Reynolds and “Just Friends” co-star Amy Smart have reunited for a new ad campaign.
- The romantic comedy genre was crucial in Reynolds’ career advancement, leading to films like “The Proposal.”
- After his success with “Deadpool,” Reynolds continued to collaborate with Hugh Jackman, further cementing his status as a top actor in the entertainment industry.
Ryan Reynolds is gearing up to celebrate the holidays and promote his various brands, and he is doing so by reuniting with a former co-star, Amy Smart. Before Reynolds became the iconic Deadpool or wore the Green Lantern’s superhero ring, he was a well-known comedy actor, particularly in romantic comedies. His journey in this genre began in 2005 with the Christmas movie “Just Friends,” where he starred alongside Smart. Now, approximately 20 years later, the duo is back together for a Christmas ad promoting Aviation Gin.
Reynolds shared a humorous video on social media that features both actors shooting an advertisement for Aviation Gin to celebrate Thanksgiving, briefly reprising their roles from “Just Friends.” This ad will likely be the first of many that Reynolds will release as the festive season approaches.
In “Just Friends,” Reynolds portrays Chris Brander, a former bullied teenager who becomes an attractive, successful artist manager as an adult. Trying to sign a famous singer (played by Anna Faris), Chris brings her home for the Christmas holiday, reconnecting with his family and long-lost best friend Jamie Palamino (played by Amy Smart). The romantic comedy also features Chris Klein, Christopher Marquette, Julie Hagerty, Stephen Root, Fred Ewanuick, and Amy Matysio.
Though “Just Friends” may not be the most recognized film in Reynolds’ repertoire, it played a pivotal role in his career trajectory. The romantic comedy led to his starring role in “The Proposal,” which brought him even closer to the Hollywood A-list. Prior to “Just Friends,” Reynolds appeared in lighter comedies and a few outliers like “Blade: Trinity” and “The Amityville Horror.”
Since then, Reynolds has starred in various films, such as the action comedy “Smokin’ Aces” and psychological thriller “The Nines.” He revisited the romantic comedy genre in “Definitely, Maybe” and “The Proposal,” the latter of which was released in 2009. In the same year, Reynolds starred with Hugh Jackman in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” which would lead him to work tirelessly on bringing Deadpool to the big screen, a feat he accomplished in 2016. Reynolds and Jackman are set to join forces again for “Deadpool 3,” scheduled for release in the U.S. on July 26, 2024, as part of the MCU’s Phase Five.