Ryan Reynolds isn’t shy about pushing boundaries, and this time, he’s aiming for a galaxy far, far away. On a recent episode of The Box Office podcast, the Deadpool star revealed something unexpected: he pitched an R-rated Star Wars movie to Disney. But before anyone jumps to conclusions—no, he doesn’t want to be in it.
Ryan Reynolds Wants to Bring a Grittier Star Wars to Life—But Stay Behind the Camera
“I’m not saying I want to be in it. That would be a bad fit,” Reynolds said. Instead, his goal is to work behind the scenes as a producer or writer. He sees potential in telling deeper, more emotional stories within the Star Wars universe—ones that might not be possible under the franchise’s current PG-13 ceiling.
“I pitched to Disney, I said, ‘Why don’t we do an R-rated “Star Wars” property? It doesn’t have to be overt, A+ characters. There’s a wide range of characters you could use,’” Reynolds explained. “And I don’t mean R-rated to be vulgar. R-rated as a Trojan horse for emotion.”
Fans Weigh In: Should Star Wars Go R-Rated or Stick to Its Roots?
This angle, R-rated not for shock value, but as a way to explore mature, emotional narratives, sparked a lot of debate among fans. Many welcomed the idea of using a different tone to dive into darker corners of the galaxy. Some even pointed out how Andor proved that Star Wars could tell adult stories without resorting to blood, profanity, or explicit content.
One user said, “Andor already doesn’t cater to a younger audience. Managed just fine.” Another added, “Andor was the adult stuff, I’d like something more adventure-based.”
But for others, the idea of Deadpool-style humor crossing over into Star Wars is a step too far. A common sentiment was: “R-rated doesn’t have to mean a lot of swearing and blood. If it’s just Deadpool in space, no thanks.”
Interestingly, Reynolds himself seemed aware of the tension. He clarified that his pitch wasn’t about over-the-top vulgarity, but about opening the door to more serious themes. Still, fans remain divided. Some want to see something like a horror film set in the Star Wars universe—zombies, Sith alchemy, or dark Force rituals—while others fear it could undermine the brand’s core tone.
Suggestions from fans ranged from a Darth Bane trilogy adaptation, done with the intensity and darkness the books deserve, to a psychological thriller centered on a droid like K-2SO or HK-47. One user said, “Give us a Death Troopers-style horror flick or a story set on ancient Korriban. That’s where an R-rating could actually mean something.”
Still, not everyone is convinced the franchise needs to take this direction. As one comment put it, “Star Wars is a big tent franchise. It should stay accessible, especially on the big screen.” Others argued Disney hasn’t consistently hit the mark with its recent content, and pushing boundaries might not be the right move just yet.
There’s also the business side to consider. Andor may be critically acclaimed, but its viewership numbers lag behind shows like The Mandalorian and Obi-Wan Kenobi. A fan pointed out, “Disney bought Star Wars to rival Marvel. If Andor isn’t making waves, they might not gamble on something even riskier.”
That said, some think taking creative risks is exactly what Star Wars needs. “Disney is stuck trying to recreate the original trilogy’s magic,” one user wrote. “They should stop chasing nostalgia and start telling bold, innovative stories again.”
Reynolds’ pitch might not get the green light anytime soon, but it’s already sparked important conversations about the future of the franchise. Whether Star Wars ever gets its first R-rated film remains to be seen—but the galaxy is big, and there’s room for stories of all kinds.
Is there space in the Star Wars universe for an R-rated story told with deeper emotion and darker themes—or should the franchise stick to its more traditional, all-ages approach? Let us know where you stand.