If you’ve seenDeadpool & Wolverine, or logged onto social media in the past two weeks, you’ve undoubtedly seen countless attempts at recreating the film’s opening sequence.That sequence has Deadpool(Ryan Reynolds) fighting the Time Variance Authority’s agents in a rather creative way…by digging up Wolverine’s Adamantium skeleton and using it to kill them in hilariously graphic ways. But what really captured the internet’s attention is the fact that the fight scene is spliced withDeadpool dancing to NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye.“Thus, the question is raised:did Reynolds actually perform the dance sequence?Reynolds recently discussed what went into making this scene, and the answer may surprise some fans.
Deadpool & Wolverine
Wolverine joins the “merc with a mouth” in the third installment of the Deadpool film franchise.
Ryan Reynolds, Unfortunately, Doesn’t Dance in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’
Speaking with Ashley & Company, Reynolds was quick to clarifythat he wasn’t behind the epic dance sequence:
Confession for you… a lot of people don’t know I can sing and move well, but that is actually the first lie I’ll tell today. A guy namedNick Pauleyis the guy that choreographed, and I mean he’s doing a lot of the moves that have been established previously by NSYNC. If it looks like the person who’s dancing doesn’t have arthritis, that’s him.
Pauley served as a professional dancer in various projects, including music videos byKaty PerryandDoja Cat, and his skills are on full display when Deadpool recreates NSYNC’s iconic choreography. It even earned him the nickname of “Dancepool” in the credits! Pauley was more than happy to thank Reynolds and directorShawn Levyfor the opportunity on Instagram, while also showcasingthe work that went into the dance sequence. Apparently, Pauley learnedthe choreography for the opening sequence in 30 minutesafter his agent called him.
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’s Opening Sequence Kicks Off a Nostalgic Movie
Using “Bye Bye Bye” for its opening sequence doesn’t just giveDeadpool & Wolverinea viral moment;it also doubles as a musical tribute of sorts to 20th Century Fox’s Marvel films.The X-Men film franchise,Tim Story’sFantastic Four, andBen Affleck’sDaredevil(as well as its spinoff,Elektra) were all released in the early 2000s when the superhero genre was just starting to take off. (The NSYNC song was released in 2000.) This plays into a major reveal, when, later in the movie, Deadpool and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) encounter Elektra and Blade, who were played by their original stars:Jennifer GarnerandWesley Snipes.
Ryan Reynolds Is Great as Deadpool, But This Is the Franchise’s Unsung Hero
And he always smells like Daffodil Daydream.
Most ofDeadpool & Wolverine’s soundtrack is composed of music from the late ’90s and early 2000s, particularly two songs: “Iris” by theGoo Goo Dollsand “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” byGreen Day. The former plays not once, buttwicein the film; first when Deadpool swipes at the TVA temp pad thatMr. Paradox (Matthew Macfayden)is using, and when he and Wolverine survive a universe-ending chain reaction. The latter plays over the credits, while footage from 20th Century Fox’s Marvel films plays,effectively serving as a fond farewell to that era of comic book films.
If you enjoyedDeadpool & Wolverine’s opening, Levy has good news:footage exists of Pauley doing the entire “Bye Bye Bye” dance. “I’m going to tell you the truth. Currently, that footage exists. Yes, we have Nick…doing the entirety of the song. And I have to say in our wildest dreams we didn’t dare to hope for this scale of mad love for the opening credit sequence including that dance,“he told Collider. Director’s cuts seem to beall the rage nowadays, so maybe there’s hope for Levy to release a version with the full dance. Until then, I’m sure Deadpool cosplayers will be recreating the moment at conventions for years to come.
Deadpool & Wolverineis now playing in theaters.
Buy Tickets
