Ryan Reynolds opens up about getting Madonna to agree to use ‘Like A Prayer’ in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’

Ryan Reynolds has opened up about getting Madonna to agree to using ‘Like A Prayer’ in Deadpool & Wolverine, which is released in cinemas later this week.

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In the film’s recent trailer, Madonna’s 1989 mega hit soundtracks part of the film. The Queen of Pop rarely gives permission to use the song and Reynolds, along with director Shawn Levy, have now spoken about meeting Madonna and ultimately getting her permission to use the song in the film.

In an interview with Sirius XM (via People), Levy said they went to visit Madonna to ask her to licence the track.

Levy explained: “It did involve a personal visit to Madonna, where we showed Madonna the sequence where ‘Like a Prayer’ would be used.”

Reynolds added: “Also, let’s preface it with the fact that they don’t licence — that Madonna doesn’t just licence the song, particularly that song. It was a big deal to ask for it and certainly a bigger deal to use it. We went over and met with her and sort of showed her how it was being used, and where, and why.”

Levy said it felt like they were “meeting royalty” during the visit. Reynolds also joked that he asked one of Madonna’s team how he should address her. He explained: “Like am I allowed to just say, ‘Madonna?’ Like, ‘Hello Madonna, I’m Ryan.’”

Madonna granted them permission to use the song and also offered the Deadpool & Wolverine team some notes on how best to use the song in the film.

“She gave a great note,” Reynolds added. “She watched it, and I’m not kidding, [she said], ‘You need to do this.’ And damn it, if she wasn’t like spot on.”

Levy continued: “We literally went into a new recording session within 48 hours to do this note. It made the sequence better.”

You can hear the song in the trailer here:

Meanwhile, Taylor Swift has been at the centre of speculation for some time over a potential surprise appearance as superhero Dazzler in the upcoming Marvel film.

On his Instagram Stories earlier this month (July 2), Reynolds re-created Taylor Swift’s ‘Evermore’ album cover while kitted out in his Deadpool costume. In the image, he appeared in a forest with his back to the camera and even added the album’s title track to the story.

However, there was no confirmation from Reynolds on whether this meant Swift was in the upcoming film or not.

In 2022, Reynolds also said he would love to have Swift in the Marvel film. “Are you kidding me? I would do anything for that woman. She’s a genius,” he told Entertainment Tonight when asked if he’d like Swift to appear.

Swift is a friend of both Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively. Swift’s ‘All Too Well’ music video was shot at Reynolds’ and Lively’s home while Reynolds has previously made a cameo in Swift’s ‘You Need to Calm Down’ music video.

The latest Deadpool & Wolverine trailer also showed the return of an old X-Men foe.

In the new trailer, Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) can be seen shouting “who’s next?” before one of his enemies from the X-Men universe makes an appearance. Sabretooth, the longtime nemesis of Wolverine then makes a surprise appearance in the trailer. The character, played by Tyler Mane, last appeared in the 2000 X-Men film, battling Wolverine in a snowy forest.

The trailer sees Deadpool (played by Reynolds) offering some advice before the two arch enemies can be seen sprinting towards one another as the trailer ends.

The film is released in cinemas this Friday (July 26).

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