Channing Tatum Pays Emotional Tribute to Ryan Reynolds: ‘Almost No One That Has Had My Back More’

Note: This article contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine, in theaters now.

Channing Tatum is sharing his appreciation for Ryan Reynolds!

On Monday, July 29, Tatum, 44, reflected on his friendship with Reynolds, 47, in an emotional Instagram post, thanking the Canadian actor for helping him bring Gambit to life with his cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine.

Sharing a photo from the pair’s appearance at San Diego Comic-Con back in 2015, alongside a recent shot of them posing at the event on July 25, 2024, Tatum — who was wearing the same Gambit shirt in both images — wrote, “These pictures are almost 10 years apart to the day.”

“I sat in the audience when Ryan showed his first peek of Deadpool 1 to the world and I think I ran back stage right after and found him and I think I just hugged him and was like holy s— you did it man. It’s perfect,” he added.

“I didn’t know him really at all back then. But since then I can say that there is almost no one that has had my back in this industry more than Ryan,” the Magic Mike star shared. 

Tatum’s dream standalone Gambit movie that he’d been working on for four years was axed when Disney bought Fox in 2019, according to Variety.

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He added in his Instagram post, “I thought I had lost Gambit forever. But he fought for me and Gambit. I will owe him probably forever. Cause I’m not sure how I could ever do something that would be equal to what this has meant to me. I love ya buddy.” 

“Shawn Levy as well. Truly such a brilliant creator on every single level,” Tatum continued, giving a shoutout to the Deadpool & Wolverine director, 56. “All things happen for a reason. I’m so grateful to be in this movie. It’s a masterpiece in my opinion. And just pure bad ass joy. I was literally screaming in the theater. LFG!! #deadpoolandwolverine.”

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Reynolds shared Tatum’s post on his Instagram Stories, writing, “Imagine having a front row seat to this guy. He’s not only a once in a generation talent but he’s a genuinely good man. I know what it feels like to will a character into existence.”

“Chan did that. And then put the most vivid version of that character on the screen like he was born to play this one guy,” he continued.

“We’ve shared two San Diego Comic-Cons. Two of the best days in my life happened while @channingtatum wore this shirt. Coincidence or conspiracy?” Reynolds jokingly concluded, adding a poll.

The posts come after Tatum told Variety back in 2022, “Once Gambit went away, I was so traumatized,” adding, “I shut off my Marvel machine. I haven’t been able to see any of the movies. I loved that character. It was just too sad. It was like losing a friend because I was so ready to play him.”