Ryan Reynolds may be best known for playing Deadpool, but he stepped into the superhero world long before donning the red suit. The actor portrayed a superhero in the 2010 film Paper Man. It is an inspiring and heartwarming watch featuring an impressive cast. The film stars Lisa Kudrow, Emma Stone, Kieran Culkin, Hunter Parrish, Jeff Daniels, and several other notable actors alongside Reynolds. 

However, Paper Man has remained largely overlooked over the years, overshadowed by the actor's more popular films. For those curious about revisiting this lesser-known superhero outing in 2026, here is how to watch it.

Paper Man, starring Ryan Reynolds, is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and FuboTV. The film follows a struggling novelist, Richard, who frequently talks to his imaginary superhero friend, Captain Excellent. However, when Richard moves to a beach house on Long Island, he forms an unexpected bond with a local teenager. 

Directed by Kieran and Michele Mulroney, the film stars Reynolds as Captain Excellent. Jeff Daniels plays Richard Dunn, while Lisa Kudrow portrays Claire Dunn. Although the movie received largely negative reviews and holds a 32% score on Rotten Tomatoes, it remains a quirky watch for fans looking to explore one of Reynolds' lesser-known superhero roles before Deadpool.

Apart from Reynolds' Paper Man, there is also a 2012 animated short film with the same title Paperman. The Oscar-winning short follows a man who uses paper airplanes to catch the attention of the woman he likes. It is available to stream on Disney+.

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While the actor's earlier rodeo as a superhero may have earned him only little praise, Deadpool, on the contrary has landed him one of, if not, Marvel's biggest project yet.

Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool was a massive success in 2024's Deadpool & Wolverine. It appears that not only audiences but Marvel also has not had enough of the actor or the character either. Reynolds has hinted that he could return to play the fan-favorite character, adding fuel to the fire about his appearance in Avengers: Doomsday.

“There’s stuff upcoming. There’s eventually, you know, remotely another Deadpool film. It’s going to be great,” he said at Fanatics Fest 2026, as per PEOPLE

During his appearance at Fanatics Fest 2026, the actor also praised Deadpool's co-creators for bringing the character to life. Earlier this year, during an appearance on Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist, Reynolds confirmed that he had begun writing the next Deadpool film. If development continues as Reynolds hinted, fans may not have to wait long to see Deadpool back on the big screen.

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Have you watched Ryan Reynolds in Paper Man? Let is know in the comments.