Taking a seat alongside Empire and Top Five 46-year old star Taraji P. Henson, Ryan Reynolds offered his thoughts on his career, the acting process and having to audition before he broke through to became the icon he is today. Featuring in the Variety's segment Actors on Actors, the casual chat gave a revealing insight into both performers perspectives and experiences in a cut-throat and often cynical industry.
Starting from their more humble beginnings, Henson asked when Reynolds last had to put is name in the hat. "When did you last audition?" she pondered. "I’m auditioning right now," the Canadian laughed. "I’m going to be on Empire this season, I’m hoping!"
Adopting a serious tone eventually, he spilled the beans on an experiment that didn't go exactly to plan.
"No, my last was … I auditioned and failed for the Coen brothers," he revealed. “Hail, Caesar!” was it? No, it was the one before that. It wasn’t the right fit, mostly because they’re very high class. They were just quietly shaking their heads, like, 'What are you doing here? Do you have a SAG card?'”
Reynolds Doesn't Rate Himself When He Has To Compete For A Role
Enjoying some back-and-forth over the auditioning process, Henson pressed as to what was Reynolds' worst experience in the uncomfortable environment.
"I think pretty much most of them," he admitted. "I was never a great auditioner. But I had one where I had to sing, and I’m a nervous singer. I’m one of those people that … you know when you’re in the shower, and you’re like, 'This is pretty good'? But once I get out into the real world, it’s just like my voice turns into a hammer that hits everybody in the face."
The funny man said that he was given the Hugh Jackman experience one, having to do a number in front of prospective employers.
"So I did an audition where I had to sing, and it was pretty bad. It’s one of those auditions that was so bad that I look back and I think, 'What if that tape surfaces at some point? That’ll be the death of me.' Yeah. That was pretty awful."
Reynolds Appreciates Lack of Online Presence Before Marvel Gig
As Henson pinpointed social media to breath a sigh of relief that wasn't around for some of their bombed auditions, Reynolds outlined that he deliberately stayed away from that world until his long awaited Deadpool role came to pass.
"I’ve only had it for a year and a half," he admitted. "And I applied it specifically for Deadpool, because it was so instrumental for that movie. It was huge for creating a groundswell for Deadpool, and so much of the stuff had to do with viral ads. So for me, I can’t speak more highly of any kind of medium other than social media."
Source: Variety, Photo courtesy of Men's Health
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