Hugh Jackman begs Academy not to nominate Ryan Reynolds

The rivalry/bromance between Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds goes back years, but now Jackman is doing his best to make sure Reynolds’ latest, Spirited, gets snubbed at the Academy Awards.

Jackman posted an Instagram reel that began, “Hey, everybody, it’s 2023 and I really really wanted to send out a positive message at the beginning of the year, but recent events have made that impossible.” Then, Jackman gets to the real message: a plot against Reynolds:

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After citing his love for last year’s holiday musical comedy Spirited, particularly the music and cast members Will Ferrell and Octavia Spencer, Jackman pleaded for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to not nominate it for Best Original Song, lest Reynolds get his time on the grandest stage in the industry. “I’ve just heard the Academy have shortlisted ‘Good Afternoon’ in the Best Song category…Now, Ryan Reynolds getting a nomination in the Best Song category would make the next year of my life insufferable.” “Good Afternoon” is certainly one of the movie’s stand-out numbers, an extravagant one complete with bombs and hot air balloons.

“I mean, I have to spend a year with him shooting Wolverine and Deadpool…Trust me, it would be impossible. It would be a problem.” Concluding his public service announcement, Hugh Jackman said, “Just to recap, love Spirited, love Will, love Octavia, love the song ‘Good Afternoon,’ love Benj [Pasek] and Justin [Paul]…But please, please, from the bottom of my heart, do not validate Ryan Reynolds in this way. Please.” “Good Afternoon” did fail to get a Golden Globe nomination, which could lean towards it being snubbed by the Academy after all.

“This Is Me” from the Hugh Jackman-starring The Greatest Showman was previously nominated for the Best Original Song Oscar but lost to “Remember Me” from Coco. Other shortlisted songs include “Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: Maverick, “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and “Naatu Naatu” from RRR.

Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds will team up once again for 2024’s Deadpool 3.

What did you think of Spirited? Does “Good Afternoon” have a shot at a nomination for the Best Song Oscar?