10 Best Behind-The-Scenes Facts About Free Guy

2021’s Free Guy has done wonders for the movie industry in so many different ways. It was part of the wave of films that actually made a profit in theatres, as most films up to that point were bombing due to the pandemic. It’s also one of the few big-budget original IP movies to be a massive success recently, as most releases this year have been a part of a popular franchise, whether it’s F9 or Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

However, it didn’t become so successful without some crucial development changes and Ryan Reynolds’ helping hand with the screenplay. And as the movie was passed from 20th Century Fox to Disney in Disney’s acquisition of the studio, it was a blessing in disguise.

10 How Reynolds Convinced Chris Evans To Be In The Movie

Free Guy is a whole well of Easter eggs, as not only is it full of references to Grand Theft Auto and many other video games. But it also has references to other Disney-owned properties too, including Marvel. One of the best moments is a cameo from none other than Captain America himself, Chris Evans, as he isn’t too pleased that somebody else is using Cap’s shield.

Apparently, Evans was shooting Defending Jacob in the same town where the Free Guy production was taking place, and Ryan Reynolds simply sent Evans a text asking him to be involved. As busy as the movie star was, he agreed to do it as long as he was in and out in ten minutes.

9 It Almost Had A Deadpool Easter Egg

Though there are so many cameos and references to other beloved superheroes, as at one point, Guy even grows a Hulk arm, not every planned Easter egg made the cut. Another Reynolds-led property, Deadpool, was originally going to be included in the 2021 movie, as an early draft of the screenplay had Guy using Cable’s gun from Deadpool 2.

The reason why it was cut was that Guy is so wholesome that he never fires a gun for the whole movie, and director Shawn Levy wanted to keep it that way. Though Cable’s gun showing up would have made for a neat little reference, Levy wisely put the narrative before the fan service.

8 The Soundtrack Was Chosen By Reynolds

Free Guy is typically witty and exactly what is expected of a Ryan Reynolds movie, as the actor brings his trademark humor. But he does so in more ways than one. According to Levy, the actor chose most of the soundtrack, which is unsurprising as many of the songs are hilariously melodramatic.

One of the key songs, “Fantasy” by Mariah Carey, was written into the screenplay by Reynolds when he was just listening to it at home. And when Levy asked why that specific song, Reynolds responded with, “it just feels so good.”

7 Joe Keery Was Nervous While Shooting

Along with Ryan Reynolds, one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood, and jack of all trades Taika Waititi, another starring role is played by Joe Keery. Keery plays Keys, a genius video game developer, and he gives a compelling performance, but the actor claims he was nervous while shooting.

Being a fan of all of his co-stars’ work, Keery felt anxious acting alongside them. It makes sense, as even though he’s famous for his starring role in Stanger Things, his resume isn’t quite as long or as impressive as his costars’.

6 Guy Was Originally Cynical At The Beginning Of The Movie

Ryan Reynolds doesn’t have a writing credit on Free Guy, but he was heavily involved in the development process and made some major changes to the script himself.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, the original writer Matt Lieberman mentions that, along with choosing most of the soundtrack, Reynolds made a massive change to the character of Guy. In the original screenplay, he was cynical in the beginning, but in the movie, being hopelessly optimistic is the core of Guy’s character.

5 Reynolds Created Dude

While The Dude is already an iconic character in the cult classic Coen brothers movie The Big Lebowski, now there’s another soon-to-be classic character with the name.

According to the same interview in The Hollywood Reporter, Reynolds made another big change, which was the addition of Dude, a powerful leveled-up character also played by Reynolds. It’d be fascinating to find out what the seeming placeholder was before Dude was created, as the character is a pivotal part of the final act of the movie.

4 Taika Waititi’s Outtakes Could Be Its Own Movie

Ever since directing Thor: Ragnarok, Taika Waititi has become one of the most in-demand directors working today. However, not only are studios ragging on his arms to direct blockbuster movies, but they want his acting skills too.

Waititi has amazing comedy timing and improv skills, which can be seen in his vampire mockumentary What We Do In The Shadows and the World War II satire Jojo Rabbit, and Shawn Levy used that to his advantage. According to a tweet from Reynolds, he mentioned that there were so many unused adlibs from Waititi that it could be its own movie. But what’s more is that Reynolds hinted that there just might be one on the way.

3 Director Shawn Levy Originally Turned The Script Down

Shawn Levy is known for his audience-pleasing family movies. His films generally see protagonists in surreal situations, and that’s most notable in the Night At The Museum series, which Levy spearheaded. That’s why it comes as a surprise that he initially turned down the offer to direct Free Guy.

The 2021 movie is full of jokes that both parents and children can understand and it takes place in a fantasy world, which is right up Levy’s alley. But according to The Hollywood Reporter, Levy read the script five years ago and passed on it because he isn’t a “gaming aficionado.” However, it was again Reynolds using his charisma to convince Levy otherwise.

2 One Of The First Movies To Continue Being Developed By Disney After The Studio Acquired 20th Century Fox

Free Guy had been delayed until 2021, but even despite all of the COVID-19-related delays, the movie was still halted by Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox. It was one of the first movies that continued development from one studio to the other, and in fairness, it may not have been as good if Disney didn’t acquire the studio.

Part of the magic of Free Guy is all of the references to other properties owned by Disney, such as all the Marvel Easter eggs and the Lightsaber and classic Star Wars score. That would never have happened if it was still a part of 20th Century Fox, as the studio doesn’t have the rights to those properties.

1 Disney Apparently Wants A Sequel

Free Guy has made over $300 million at the worldwide box office so far, and given the current circumstances with the pandemic, that’s a huge success for an original IP movie. With Free Guy being such a smash hit at the box office, it’s no surprise that Disney wants a sequel.

Though Disney hasn’t yet announced that it wants to develop a sequel, it has been hinted at by Ryan Reynolds. Again using Twitter as a platform to send a message to his fans, Reynolds confirmed Disney wants a follow-up.