Ryan Reynolds recently gave a humorous and pointed response to Neil Patrick Harris stepping in as the voice of Deadpool for the upcoming Marvel’s Deadpool VR game, offering fans insight into his views on the casting change. The focus keyword, Ryan Reynolds reaction to Neil Patrick Harris as Deadpool, took center stage as the actor poked fun at Harris’s new role through a parody video released on his YouTube channel.
Neil Patrick Harris Debuts as Deadpool in Upcoming VR Game
While Ryan Reynolds has famously portrayed the wisecracking anti-hero Deadpool in major films for over ten years, Marvel’s latest venture, Deadpool VR, introduces Neil Patrick Harris as the character’s new voice. The announcement came with a teaser trailer, featuring Harris’s comedic approach to the assassin and a show of over-the-top action sequences.
“Escape the turd-burger of late-stage capitalism and enter a world of VR magic,”
—Neil Patrick Harris, Actor
The game, which was revealed at the Summer Game Fest showcase, promises fast-paced melee and ranged combat, unlocking fresh moves for fans. Marvel’s Deadpool VR, set to launch later this year for Meta Quest 3 and 3S, posits the character on a mission to hunt down villains across the Marvel Universe, embracing the character’s humor and chaotic flair.
“Feel what it’s like to go deep inside Deadpool in Marvel’s Deadpool VR, an original game developed exclusively for Meta Quest 3/3S,”
—Game Description
The plot follows the Merc With The Mouth as he signs a questionable contract with Mojo, seeking fame and fortune, only to find the journey more complicated than expected.
“Contracted by Mojo, with the promise of making money, like a lot of money, Deadpool sets out to capture villains from the Marvel Universe. The Merc With The Mouth soon realises he shouldn’t have so hastily signed the contract. Will he survive or thrive in his journey to become the Mojoverse’s most famous interdimensional streaming star?”
—Game Description
Players will encounter an arsenal of upgradeable weapons, creative combat moves, and an immersive experience as Deadpool battles his way to potential internet stardom within the Mojoverse.
“Marvel’s Deadpool VR blends savage ranged and melee combat with fast paced and uncompromising traversal. Defeat enemies with an upgradeable arsenal of weapons and discover stylish and creative ways to dismember anyone who stands in your way,”
—Game Description
Ryan Reynolds’ Tongue-in-Cheek Response
After the news broke, Ryan Reynolds, known for his quick wit, responded with an exaggerated reaction video. He appeared dressed as Doogie Howser, alluding to Harris’s breakthrough television role. With relentless sarcasm, Reynolds directly addressed the new direction for the character and did not shy away from playful jabs.
“Today, I learned a lesson about buttholes they don’t teach you in medical school,”
—Ryan Reynolds, Actor
“People who steal your signature role are the biggest buttholes of all.”
—Ryan Reynolds, Actor
His sister-in-law, Robyn Lively, who previously worked with Harris on the original Doogie Howser series, also joined the video. She described Reynolds’s parody as mischievous and unnecessary, enhancing the comedic value of the bit.
“No, I don’t blame Meta Quest. Neil Patrick Harris is an amazing actor with the nurturing voice of an angel, but even though I haven’t hit puberty yet, I still know when you’re getting totally screwed.”
—Ryan Reynolds, Actor
Reynolds’s comments played into the long-standing playful rivalry within entertainment, reinforcing his attachment to the character of Deadpool and poking fun at the unconventional casting decision.
Deadpool VR and the State of Marvel Gaming
With Marvel’s Deadpool VR expected to reach players later this year, the project signals the company’s continued investment in immersive gaming experiences. The Deadpool franchise is receiving a fresh narrative that connects with both long-term fans and newcomers. Key villains and the Mojoverse streaming star concept add original twists for the Marvel Universe. The involvement of Neil Patrick Harris invites curiosity about how the character’s personality will evolve under new leadership.
Meanwhile, the wider Marvel games landscape is experiencing shifts. Recent delays to Marvel 1943: Rise Of Hydra and the scrapping of an open-world Black Panther title highlight industry changes. Russo brothers, who have directed major Avengers films, have expressed a willingness to work on video game projects. The next Avengers movie is due in theaters on December 18, 2026, maintaining excitement for big screen fans.
Elsewhere, the Wu-Tang Clan is venturing into the gaming world with Rise Of The Deceiver. This multiplayer action game promises a soundtrack of both legendary hits and new work from DJ Just Blaze, designed as a tribute to hip-hop culture and the Wu-Tang legacy.
“This project is very much a love letter to hip-hop culture and to Wu in general,”
—Just Blaze, DJ and Producer
Looking Ahead to Deadpool’s VR Adventure
Ryan Reynolds’s reaction to Neil Patrick Harris as Deadpool reflects the passionate connections audiences develop with longstanding characters and the performers behind them. This transition for the iconic Marvel assassin, set against a backdrop of evolving Marvel video games, raises anticipation for how Harris’s portrayal and VR technology will redefine Deadpool’s legacy within the Mojoverse and beyond.
