Ryan Reynolds Said Yes To ‘Pokemon: Detective Pikachu’ For This Very Personal Reason

Pikachu was an incomparable hero of the nineties. To have a movie made on him was a big deal in itself. So when David Letterman announced the project for the first time, it left fans thrilled and excited. But the more exciting news came when it was announced that Ryan Reynolds was voicing the lead character, Pikachu.

Having been known for being part of films like “Deadpool,” “Deadpool 2” and “Green Lantern,” it was a little surprising for fans to know that Reynolds was going to be part of a project that was completely different from the genre he has been known for. However, when the film was released, it was Reynolds’ voice that unexpectedly left a gripping impact on the audience more than the storyline.

Reynold’s “Pokémon: Detective Pikachu” received mixed reviews from the audience and critics, but the film got a well-deserved recognition from his most important viewers — his kids! After all, the real reason Reynolds agreed to do the movie was nothing but his children.

In the last two decades, movies that Reynolds have mostly been a part of were raunchy movies, which his kids could have watched only by covering their ears. In an attempt to make his children happy and to give them a delightful experience, the doting dad decided to accept the project and voice Pikachu.

Reynolds was skeptical to give a nod to the project when he was initially approached for the role as he wasn’t a Pokémon pro. In one of his interviews, the actor revealed that before signing the dotted line, he questioned his fitness for the character.

“‘Am I the right guy to play Pikachu?’ Because I don’t have any skin in the game, my feedback to the studio is, ‘Is there someone else who’s supposed to be playing Detective Pikachu and I shouldn't?’ he thought.

Despite Reynolds’ hesitance to do the film, it seems that he made the right decision to accept it. Though the movie received mixed reviews, “Pokemon: Detective Pikachu” managed to surpass some of the huge box office records.

The film was released in May 2019 and did exceedingly well worldwide, with a collection of $431 million. It is also considered the 11th highest grossing film of 2019. Besides the film’s collections, Reynold’s overwhelming act was also applauded worldwide, leaving everyone raving about him.

The makers have already confirmed a second installment for the film. However, Reynold’s participation in the sequel isn’t confirmed as of yet.