Ryan Reynolds, the wise-cracking genius behind Deadpool, just tossed out a crazy idea that’s got Star Wars fans buzzing. During a recent chat on The Box Office Podcast with Scott Mendelson, the 48-year-old actor spilled that he pitched an R-rated Star Wars project to Disney. Nope, it’s not Deadpool swinging a lightsaber—Reynolds is thinking something deeper, and he’s not even planning to star in it. With Star Wars already pushing boundaries, this could be the bold shake-up the galaxy needs, even if it’s a long shot.
Fresh off the blockbuster success of Deadpool & Wolverine—Disney’s first R-rated MCU hit, which pulled in over $1.3 billion in 2024—Reynolds knows how to make mature content click. “I pitched to Disney, I was like, ‘Why not an R-rated Star Wars thing?’” he said. But don’t expect a foul-mouthed, chimichanga-loving vibe. “It’s not about being vulgar,” he explained. “It’s R-rated as a way to sneak in real emotion.” He’s picturing a gritty, heartfelt story that dives into the kind of raw, complex feelings you don’t always get in PG-13 territory, using the Star Wars universe’s endless roster of smugglers, bounty hunters, or other side characters.
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Reynolds didn’t dish out details like whether it’s a movie or a show, or what corner of the galaxy it’d explore. He did make it clear he’d rather write or produce than take the spotlight. “Me in it? Nah, that’d be a bad fit,” he laughed, knowing his sarcastic Deadpool energy might not vibe with Star Wars’ epic, mythic tone. Instead, he sees a chance to tell a fresh story with lesser-known characters, leaning into the franchise’s knack for “scarcity and surprise,” as he put it, even with Disney+ churning out shows left and right.
Star Wars has gotten dark before—think Andor, the Disney+ gem that wrapped its second season in 2025. That show’s gritty take on rebellion and moral gray areas showed there’s room for grown-up stories in this universe. Reynolds’ idea feels like it could fit right in, especially with Andor creator Tony Gilroy recently teasing a Star Wars horror project. But an R-rated Star Wars movie? That’s new ground. Every film since 2005’s Revenge of the Sith has been PG-13 to keep things family-friendly. Reynolds wonders why studios play it so safe, especially when Star Wars thrives on bold swings.
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So, is Disney into it? Reynolds didn’t say how they took the pitch, and Lucasfilm’s plate is already full. The Mandalorian & Grogu drops May 22, 2026, and Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Reynolds’ buddy Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, is set for 2027. Some fans are hyped for a darker Star Wars after Andor’s win, but others aren’t so sure, worried an R-rated take might feel forced or stray too far from the saga’s all-ages roots. Either way, it’s a big “what if” for now.
Reynolds is keeping busy, reportedly cooking up an X-Men team-up with Deadpool and writing a comedy for Paramount. His Star Wars idea might be a pipe dream, but it’s got fans dreaming of a grittier galaxy—maybe a smuggler’s tale or a dark Force-fueled drama. For now, it’s just a spark, but in a universe this big, who knows? Keep your eyes peeled—this could be the surprise Star Wars needs.