TORONTO — A New York City newspaper is wondering why Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds failed to become the next big thing in Hollywood.
In an article headlined “WTF happened to Ryan Reynolds’ career?” and published Thursday, New York Post movie writer Reed Tucker opined that only four years ago the 38-year-old Vancouver native seemed on the cusp of blowing up.
“And then he didn’t,” Tucker wrote.
“How could someone on his way to becoming one of the movie industry’s more bankable stars just sort of fade away?”
In an attempt to answer his own question, Tucker offered three reasons.
First, Tucker believes Reynolds has failed to brand himself on screen like fellow Canadian actor Seth Rogen and stars like Denzel Washington and Will Smith.
“Wanting to stretch and vary the kinds of roles you play is admirable, but establishing a brand requires consistency,” he wrote. “With all his jumping around genres, Reynolds seems to have watered down his value and moved himself down casting wish lists.”
READ MORE: All the latest news on Ryan Reynolds
Secondly, Reynolds has been the victim of bad movies. Green Lantern, Buried, R.I.P.D. and The Captive were all box office duds — and Tucker doesn’t have much hope for Reynolds’ new movie Self/Less.
“Maybe his selection process needs refinement,” Tucker suggested, describing Reynolds as “box office poison.”
According to Box Office Mojo, Reynolds’ movies have averaged $46.5 million, compared to $92.5 million for Rogen (and $118 million for Chris Pratt).
Finally, Tucker blamed Reynolds for not revealing enough about his private life.
“You could probably count on one hand the number of things the average person knows about Reynolds,” he wrote. ” Jennifer Aniston is unlucky in love. Leo DiCaprio is a modelizing playboy. Johnny Depp is the eccentric bad boy. Reynolds is . . . just kind of there.”
Tucker described Reynolds and wife Blake Lively — who welcomed daughter James last December — as “a boring married couple.”
He opined: “If you want to help your career, make your personal life a little more interesting.”
Lest anyone think Tucker has completely written Reynolds off, he commends the Canadian star for having a sense of humour.
“He’s reliable on Twitter for solid jokes,” said Tucker. “Maybe this is his niche, as Hollywood’s handsome wiseguy? Could this be the way he gets back on top?”
BELOW: A sample of recent tweets from Ryan Reynolds.
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