'Don't get me started on Wrexham!' - Ryan Reynolds 'mortified' about cutting Rob McElhenney's 'smoldering' Deadpool & Wolverine cameo after being introduced to Red Dragons 'love' by Hollywood co-owner

Reynolds has been basking in the box-office glow from the release of Deadpool & Wolverine, which has grossed over half a billion dollars. However, he has now confirmed that he was forced to cut out a cameo appearance from Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney, who was scheduled to play a TVA agent and filmed a scene, but was removed from the final product. In an emotional Instagram post, Reynolds revealed how McElhenney had shaped his love for Wrexham, and apologised for having to remove his "smoldering" performance.

Reynolds wrote: "A word on my 'darling' friend, @robmcelhenney. Rob very kindly did a cameo in #DeadpoolAndWolverine which will hopefully live on in the digital extras. While editing a movie, they say you 'sometimes have to kill your darlings.' And with a heavy heart (and through great outside intervention) I had to kill a darling with this cameo… The sequence wasn’t working the way we’d originally constructed it. Rob was the only reason it stayed in the cut for as long as it did, because even under a TVA mask and helmet, you can feel him smoldering with a raw and almost infinite reservoir of talent, writerly wit and 'I create hit tv shows' swagger.

"Don’t even get me started on Wrexham. I wouldn’t know a love like @wrexham_afc if it weren’t for Rob McElhenney. Anyway, I loved making this movie but it wasn’t without stress. There was a lot of expectation — and I’m pretty sure the most well written villain in cinema history is 'Expectation'. And when you do stressful stuff, it feels good when friends are nearby. And even though I’m mortified he flew all the way to London for a cameo that wasn’t meant to be, I’m grateful my friend was there with me on that set.

"When I see Rob, my heart-rate slows and my nervous system stops yelling at me. He shows up for people. And he showed up for me. Even as he begged for his life before Alioth snatched his unsuspecting body into the air, swallowing him whole, eventually digesting and converting him into Alioth-poo. RIP TVA Soldier. p.s. Rob would make an awesome Hydra Bob."

Reynolds and McElhenney have guided Wrexham to back-to-back promotions and they are now in League One, where they show no signs of slowing down. In their opening three games, they have won two and drawn one and currently sit fourth in the table.

Reynolds and McElhenney's attention will swiftly turn back to football. Wrexham play Peterborough United in their next League One outing on Saturday.