Robert Downey Jr’s Stunning Refusal: Why He Turned Down Ryan Reynolds Before Returning to Marvel

For five years, Robert Downey Jr. stepped away from the Marvel spotlight after closing his chapter as Tony Stark in Avengers: Endgame. Fans long wondered what it would take to bring him back, and in 2025, we finally have an answer: Downey is indeed returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But before that comeback became public, the actor made another decision that has set Hollywood buzzing—he turned down Ryan Reynolds. And not just a casual “maybe next time.” It was a firm no, sparking whispers that the refusal had far more to do with Reynolds himself than scheduling conflicts or creative differences.

At the heart of the storm is a tangled web of celebrity drama involving Reynolds, his wife Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and even unexpected voices like Candace Owens and Martha Stewart. And now, with Downey Jr. seemingly choosing “Team Justin” over Ryan and Blake, fans are left asking: did the real Iron Man just expose Hollywood’s golden couple as villains hiding in plain sight?

The Cameo That Never Was

When news broke that Deadpool & Wolverine would be packed with cameos from across Marvel’s history, fans naturally speculated whether Downey Jr. would appear. After all, what bigger meta-joke could there be than Deadpool crossing paths with Iron Man? Screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick admitted they had even written a cameo scene featuring both Downey and Jon Favreau’s Happy Hogan.

Reynolds reportedly went all out to land Downey—reading scripts aloud, pitching the emotional weight of the moment, and promising to honor Iron Man’s legacy. But according to insiders, Downey wasn’t buying it. He gave Reynolds an instant “no,” shocking the production team.

The official reason? Downey was already in early talks to return to Marvel in a different role—as none other than Doctor Doom. Reynolds claims he didn’t know about those secret negotiations until much later, and he insists he’s happy for Downey. Still, many fans aren’t convinced. The timing coincides too perfectly with growing rumors that Reynolds and Lively are toxic collaborators, accused of everything from on-set meddling to blackballing colleagues.

Candace Owens Points the Finger

If you thought the feud was all Hollywood politics, Candace Owens begs to differ. The conservative commentator waded into the controversy, claiming she had spoken to an industry insider who confirmed that Reynolds—not Lively—was the “true villain” behind the Baldoni fallout.

According to Owens’ source, Reynolds began inserting himself into the production of It Ends With Us, reviewing footage, rewriting lines, and micromanaging Lively’s role. What started as protective husband behavior quickly escalated into control tactics that derailed the entire project. The source even alleged that Reynolds pressured talent agency WME with an ultimatum: “It’s us or him,” referring to Baldoni.

Not long after, Baldoni was effectively blackballed, sidelined at premieres, and—infamously—banished to a basement with his family during a red-carpet event. Owens didn’t mince words: in her telling, Reynolds systematically infiltrates every corner of a rival’s career until they are boxed out of Hollywood entirely.

Martha Stewart’s “Not Funny” Revelation

While Candace Owens framed Reynolds as manipulative and power-hungry, Martha Stewart delivered a more subtle blow. When asked which celebrities would be the most fun to hang out with, Stewart admitted Reynolds wouldn’t make her list.

“He’s not so funny in real life,” she quipped. “Very serious.”

At first glance, it seemed like harmless shade. But many fans interpreted Stewart’s comments as coded language: Reynolds isn’t the charming prankster he portrays on screen, but a calculating figure whose “funny guy” persona is little more than branding. And when even Martha Stewart is hinting you’re not the life of the party, it feeds the narrative that Reynolds’ Hollywood image is crumbling.

Co-Stars Speak Out

The most damning testimony, however, comes from Reynolds’ own collaborators. Morena Baccarin, who played Vanessa in the Deadpool franchise, all but disappeared after the first film. Though she diplomatically cited story choices, insiders suggest Reynolds deliberately minimized her role—and even blocked her from attending promotional events.

Tim Miller, the director of the first Deadpool, also walked away from the franchise, citing creative clashes with Reynolds. “Ryan wanted to be in control,” Miller said bluntly, admitting he couldn’t continue directing under those conditions.

And then there’s T.J. Miller, who played Weasel in the first two films. On the Adam Carolla Show, he revealed Reynolds had mocked him cruelly on set, delivering cutting remarks under the guise of in-character banter. Miller described the behavior as “horrifically mean” and confessed he would never work with Reynolds again, no matter the paycheck.

The pattern is hard to ignore: co-stars and collaborators systematically sidelined or driven away while Reynolds consolidates power as the face of Deadpool.

Blake Lively: Partner in Control

It’s not just Ryan. Reports suggest Blake Lively has her own reputation for control issues. Actress Anna Kendrick, who co-starred with Lively in A Simple Favor and its sequel, appeared visibly uncomfortable when asked about working with her again. Fans noticed how Kendrick dodged the question, fueling speculation that tension had boiled beneath the surface for years.

Even the promotional poster for the sequel sparked debate. Kendrick, the bigger box office star by nearly every metric, had her name listed first—but Lively’s name was placed higher on the poster, creating the illusion of superiority. Fans immediately suspected it was a demand from Lively herself, echoing the same pattern of status jockeying and micromanagement that has become synonymous with the Reynolds-Lively brand.

The Iron Man Effect

So why did Downey Jr. refuse Reynolds’ cameo pitch? The official Marvel excuse is neat and tidy: he was already negotiating a bigger role as Doctor Doom. But Hollywood rarely operates on a single motivation.

Downey is one of the few actors in the industry who doesn’t need Ryan Reynolds. His return to Marvel was inevitable, and his legacy as Iron Man is untouchable. By declining the cameo, Downey not only preserved the mystery of his comeback but also avoided entangling himself in the increasingly messy Reynolds-Lively drama.

And if he really is “Team Justin” as some reports claim, then Downey’s refusal doubles as a subtle act of solidarity. Hollywood may tolerate egos, but there’s a breaking point when those egos begin dismantling colleagues’ careers.

Fallout: Can Ryan and Blake Recover?

The backlash against Reynolds and Lively is building momentum. What started as whispers about Justin Baldoni has snowballed into co-stars, directors, cultural commentators, and even Martha Stewart casting doubt on the couple’s character.

For Reynolds, who built an empire on his quick wit and wholesome charm, the allegations cut deep. His entire brand—from Deadpool to Aviation Gin to Mint Mobile—relies on the public believing he’s the likable guy next door. If that illusion shatters, so does the empire.

As for Lively, her reputation as a perfectionist may have once been dismissed as “Hollywood diva behavior.” But in light of these reports, fans are starting to see her not as a strong-willed actress but as part of a power couple willing to bulldoze anyone in their way.

Conclusion: The Real Reason Downey Said No

Robert Downey Jr. is no stranger to Hollywood politics. He’s navigated personal scandals, career exiles, and one of the most successful comebacks in cinematic history. If anyone knows when to steer clear of a sinking ship, it’s him.

Turning down Ryan Reynolds may have been as much about optics as logistics. Why risk his hard-earned reputation aligning with a man accused of blackballing colleagues, clashing with directors, and sabotaging co-stars? Why stand next to Blake Lively in a poster war when he could return to Marvel on his own terms as one of the most powerful villains in comic book history?

In the end, Downey’s refusal says more than a thousand press releases. It signals that in Hollywood, charm alone can’t mask control issues forever. And if Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively don’t change course soon, they may find themselves not just rejected by Iron Man—but by the entire industry.

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