Ryan Reynolds has approached his roles with the restlessness of a man afraid that choosing one personality might look awfully dull on him. He has flitted from the irreverent Wade Wilson in Deadpool to the digital daydream of Guy in Free Guy, paused to charm as Nolan Booth in Red Notice, and even lent disarming warmth to a yellow creature with electrical issues in Detective Pikachu. Yet the art of villainy, that most delectable of performances, has scarcely been allowed near his calling card. Which is exactly why the next chapter feels deliciously overdue.

Ryan Reynolds is now preparing to add a rare villainous entry to his line-up with an upcoming Netflix film.

Netflix is set to bring the beloved Eloise universe to life in a new live-action adaptation, and the announcement has stirred attention for a rather unexpected reason. Ryan Reynolds has been cast as an original villain crafted exclusively for the film, marking a rare entry into his limited archive of on-screen antagonists. Joining him is newcomer Mae Schenk in the iconic role of Eloise, an appointment that signals a blend of Hollywood star power and fresh talent. The project begins production in November 2025.

The storyline will not simply rehash the classic children’s books but venture into a new, standalone adventure inspired by their spirit. Plot specifics and Reynolds’ character details are being guarded with the level of secrecy usually reserved for royal scandals or Oscar campaigns, unlike his role in a certain upcoming Netflix action flick. With an entirely new mischievous adversary and an imaginative narrative, the adaptation appears determined to surprise both devoted readers and curious first-time viewers.

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The news has prompted audiences to conduct a forensic investigation into the very short folder marked “Ryan Reynolds Villain Era.”

Ryan Reynolds seldom strays into outright villainy, but the occasions he has ventured there have been memorable for both audiences and critics. In The Amityville Horror (2005), Reynolds portrayed George Lutz, a family man twisted into a menacing presence under supernatural influence, giving viewers a performance that was unsettling without abandoning his trademark intensity. Later, X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) introduced an altered, weaponized iteration of Wade Wilson, known as Weapon XI, a version so creatively misguided that future films had to politely bury it.

Perhaps the most striking example of Reynolds embracing darkness came with The Voices (2014), where he played Jerry Hickfang, a well-meaning factory worker whose fractured mind leads him down a murderous path. The role blended horror with uncomfortable humor, showcasing Reynolds’ willingness to explore morally fractured characters rather than conventional villains. These selective forays into cinematic wickedness form a compact but intriguing chapter in his career.

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Which one of these villain portrayals by Ryan Reynolds was your favorite? Let us know in the comments!