Ryan Reynolds shared an unexpected Ryan Reynolds family revelation at a recent event, explaining that his youngest son is an enthusiastic fan of one of his most criticized films, Green Lantern. The actor described how his and Blake Lively’s two-year-old, Olin, repeatedly watches the 2011 superhero movie at their home, despite its infamous reputation among critics and at the box office.
Ryan Reynolds’ Unexpected Parenting Moment
During a discussion at The Wall Street Journal’s CMO Council Summit, Reynolds explained that, despite Green Lantern’s mixed legacy, Olin remains devoted to the film. He humorously described his reaction as he copes with his son’s interest.
“You laugh, but my son, it’s his favorite movie and he watches it every f–king day,”
Ryan Reynolds explained at the event. He went on to share his personal growth from the experience, saying,
“Do you understand the work I’ve had to do to get to the place where I can just pass by that screen and not go, ‘Well, we could have [done that differently]?’”
— Ryan Reynolds, Actor
The actor reflected on how working on Green Lantern marked a pivotal learning phase in his career.
“That was a time in my life when I was, ‘Yes, sir. No, sir. How high can I jump, sir?’”
— Ryan Reynolds, Actor
Teaching Kids Through Imperfection
As a father of four — daughters James, Inez, and Betty, alongside son Olin — Reynolds has chosen to embrace his career’s tough moments as teaching material for his children. He emphasized that his kids typically see only his successes, so he consciously shares his failures to ground their perspective.
“My kids, all they see is a winner,”
Ryan Reynolds remarked. He expanded further,
“When I go outside, I get pats in the back and it’s a selfie parade, and I oblige everyone pretty much. My kids only see that. So, I’ve learned lately to make sure [I am] talking about the failures and how that is literally the base and ingredient for everything else.”
— Ryan Reynolds, Actor
Parenting a Son Versus Daughters
While reflecting on his journey as a father, Reynolds noted the unique challenges of raising a boy after having three girls. During a recent talk show appearance, he described the differences between parenting his son and his daughters, emphasizing the energy required.
“Three girls—just so easy,” he remarked on Late Night With Seth Meyers.
“And then the boy, who’s gotta break everything.”
— Ryan Reynolds, Actor
He added with good-natured competitiveness,
“I’m, like, in direct competition with this young man.”
— Ryan Reynolds, Actor
Joking about their decision to have a fourth child, Reynolds humorously added,
“I would give myself a punching vasectomy. There’s no way I would allow that to happen.”
— Ryan Reynolds, Actor
Highlights from Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s Family Journey
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s family story spans more than a decade, filled with major movies, parenting milestones, and glamorous events. Their partnership began on the set of the 2011 superhero film Green Lantern, which brought the pair together for the first time as co-stars. Despite the movie’s poor reception, it marked the beginning of their enduring relationship.
The couple fueled wedding rumors throughout 2012 as their relationship deepened, only to finally tie the knot in a private ceremony in South Carolina in September that year. They frequently attended public events together, from the Met Gala to the Cannes Film Festival, showcasing their close bond and Hollywood style.
Lively announced her first pregnancy in 2014 on her lifestyle website, Preserve. The announcement highlighted her strong connection to family:
“Preserve at its core is about family. ‘Family’ is the single word our founder, Blake built this home on.”
— Blake Lively, Founder, Preserve
In December 2014, their first child, James, was born, followed by Inez in September 2016. With each new child, the couple’s family presence grew, with Blake and the kids making appearances at celebrations of Reynolds’ professional achievements, such as the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The pair continued to balance family life with their professional commitments, with appearances at awards galas and major events. Blake confirmed her third pregnancy in May 2019 during the premiere of Detective Pikachu, giving birth to daughter Betty later that year.
By 2022, the family had expanded even further, with Blake publicly revealing her fourth pregnancy at the Forbes Power Women’s Summit.
“I just like to create. Whether that’s baking or storytelling or businesses or humans, I just really like creating.”
— Blake Lively, Actress
Their fourth child, a son named Olin, was born in early 2023, with Reynolds stating afterwards,
“We wouldn’t do this four times if we didn’t love it,”
and further reassuring,
“Everybody’s doing great. Everybody’s actually doing fantastic.”
— Ryan Reynolds, Actor
Moments That Defined Their Relationship
Throughout the years, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s partnership has been marked by memorable public and private milestones. Their starring role as co-chairs at the 2022 Met Gala, cheering on Wrexham AFC in Wales (the soccer club owned by Reynolds), and regular family appearances at high-profile events have reinforced their status as a supportive, tight-knit family unit.
The couple often uses these experiences to instill values in their children, from sharing both the joys and setbacks of fame to nurturing creativity and resilience in each child. The children — James, Inez, Betty, and Olin — have regularly been present at meaningful milestones, becoming an intrinsic part of their parents’ personal and professional journey.
The Ongoing Influence of Ryan Reynolds’ Family Revelation
Ryan Reynolds’ willingness to discuss both his career’s highs and lows with his children, particularly through the lens of the Green Lantern experience, highlights his commitment to authenticity as a parent. While his son Olin’s love for the much-maligned film brings a funny twist to family life, it also provides Reynolds an opportunity to model growth and self-awareness for his children. The Reynolds-Lively family’s story continues to capture public interest as they embrace new adventures and showcase their close-knit bond in Hollywood and beyond.
