Nickelback and Ryan Reynolds: A Brief History of Their Mutal Love
Nickelback and Ryan Reynolds are two of Canada’s most successful exports, with the rock band hailing from Hanna, Alberta and the actor growing up in Vancouver, British Columbia. As a…
Nickelback and Ryan Reynolds are two of Canada's most successful exports, with the rock band hailing from Hanna, Alberta and the actor growing up in Vancouver, British Columbia. As a result, both Nickelback and Reynolds have supported each other in very public ways. Here's a brief history of their mutual love.
Once Upon A Deadpool
In 2018, the video below advertising Once Upon A Deadpool took the internet by storm. The premise of the ad is a send-up on The Princess Bride, and it even has an adult Fred Savage reprising his role as "The Grandson." Reynolds as Deadpool replaces the late Peter Falk's "The Grandfather."
The video has Savage being...well...savage about how Deadpool really isn't a Marvel character but "Marvel licensed by Fox." He then goes on to say, "It's like if the Beatles were produced by Nickelback. It's music, but it sucks."
Deadpool is none too pleased by these comments, who then proceeds to run down the band's many accomplishments: "50 million albums [sold] worldwide; 11th best-selling musical act of all time; Billboard's most successful rock group in the last decade; Six Grammy nominations; 12 Juno Awards, those count; Six Billboard Music Awards; Two American Music Awards; One People's Choice Award Canadian; And a partridge in a f---ing pear tree."
Savage is immediately remorseful over his comments, which leads him to start singing "How You Remind Me." He and Deadpool then join hands and sing the massive hit together.
Nickelback Returns the Favor
Six years later, during the promotion cycle for Deadpool & Wolverine, Nickelback surprised Reynolds during an event with CTV's Etalk.
In a video message, frontman Chad Kroeger introduces himself and Nickelback, whom he refers to as "experts in navigating irrational hate in the face of tremendous success." He added, "We have an important preemptive message for anyone even thinking of criticizing the film 'Deadpool & Wolverine' or Ryan Reynolds."
Kroeger and Co. continue, "Here's the facts: The first two 'Deadpool' movies have grossed over $1.5 billion in the box office, making it one of the most successful series in the genre, period; Two Critics Choice Awards; Four MTV Movie Awards; One GLADD Award; One People's Choice Award; Two Teen Choice Awards, including Best Hissy Fit; Two Golden Globe nominations; and people were talking about 'Deadpool' getting an Oscar. It didn't happen, but people were talking about it!"
They conclude, "And as for Mr. Ryan Reynolds, well, just look at this photograph. That is a beautiful Canadian man, right there. So, yeah...let's f---ing go!"
We can all hope that one day we all have a support system this strong.
July 1 is Canada Day. From hockey to SCTV to delicious maple syrup, Canada has provided the world with a number of treasures, including some of the greatest/best-selling musicians of all time.
In honor of Canada Day, we lift a Molson/cup of Tim Horton's coffee to some of the country's greatest musical exports.
Neil Young
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesNeil Young was born in Toronto, and he still has a cottage in Ontario. In January 2020 he became a dual American/Canadian citizen. He told 'The Globe and Mail' in December 2021, "I love Canada. Coming back is always a joy. There’s a certain lightness to Canada that is not like any other place. People are friendly. It’s a beautiful, natural country compared to other places on the planet. It’s in my blood. When I come to Canada, I feel like I’m home. I feel relaxed, and the longer I stay the more comfortable I get."
Rush
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesRush formed in Toronto in the late '60s. They remain one of the greatest rock exports from the country.
The Band
UMGThe Band famously backed Bob Dylan in the 1960s before striking out on their own. Members of The Band that hail from Canada include Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel and Robbie Robertson.
Three Days Grace
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesThree Days Grace formed in Norwood, Ontario. The band have been mainstays on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart since emerging on the scene in 2003.
Nickelback
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesBe nice! Nickelback comes to us from Hanna, Alberta. They sold over 50 million albums worldwide, so someone is buying their music.
Bachman-Turner Overdrive
hris Jackson/Getty ImagesBTO hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Thanks to them, we've been "Takin' Care of Business" since 1973.
Bryan Adams
Harry How/Getty ImagesReferred to as "the Canadian Bruce Springsteen" by Robin Scherbatsky on 'How I Met Your Mother,' Bryan Adams comes from Kingston, Ontario. He one of the best-selling artists of all time selling over 75 million albums worldwide.
Alanis Morissette
Sonia Recchia/Getty ImagesBorn in Ottawa, Ontario, Morissette is now a dual American/Canadian citizen. While she got her start in pop, she made an alt. rock splash with her classic 1995 album 'Jagged Little Pill,' which has sold more than 33 million copies worldwide.
The Guess Who
Rick Diamond/Getty ImagesLester Bangs (Philip Seymour Hoffman) said of The Guess Who in the 2000 film 'Almost Famous,' "Give me The Guess Who. They got the courage to be drunken buffoons, which makes them poetic. Like BTO, The Guess Who hail from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The Tragically Hip
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesPerhaps the biggest, most Canadian band of all time, The Tragically Hip formed in Kingston, Ontario. The band dissolved following the death of singer Gord Downie.
Leonard Cohen
Paul Butterfield/Getty ImagesOne of the most-influential singer-songwriters of all time, Cohen was born in Westmount, Quebec. He's received countless musical honors before his 2016 death at age 82, including being part of the 2008 class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Joni Mitchell
Central Press/Getty ImagesBorn in Fort Macleod, Alberta, Joni Mitchell is yet another Canadian icon that's one of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time. She is also a dual American/Canadian citizen.
