Nickelback have made a preemptive stand for the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine movie — and its star and fellow Canadian Ryan Reynolds — in a new social media clip.
All four members of the band donned Deadpool and Wolverine masks in the video promoting the film — which hits theaters this Friday (July 26th) — offering up a PSA for anyone thinking about bashing the Marvel superhero crossover (read Consequence’s review here).
“We’re Nickelback, experts in navigating irrational hate in the face of tremendous success,” said frontman Chad Kroeger, addressing the camera. “We have an important preemptive message for anyone thinking of criticizing the film Deadpool & Wolverine or Ryan Reynolds.”
Kroeger and his bandmates then rattle off a laundry list of the Deadpool franchise’s achievements: the first two films grossing over $1.5 billion at the box office, two Critics Choice Awards, four MTV Movie & TV Awards, one GLAAD Award, a People’s Choice Award, two Teen Choice Awards, etc.
“As for Mr. Ryan Reynolds, just look at this photograph,” Kroeger continued, triggering Nickelback’s hit “Photograph” to play in the background. “That is a beautiful Canadian man right there.”
Reynolds himself was overjoyed after seeing the clip during a talk show appearance: “My God, I love those guys.”
The clip is a direct callback the opening scene of 2018’s Once Upon a Deadpool, in which Reynolds’ title character responds to some pointed criticism unfavorably comparing the Marvel franchise to the Canadian rock band.
“I’ve had it with all this Nickelback hating,” said Deadpool. “You think that makes you cool with the cool kids in school?”
Reynolds and Nickelback also have a history beyond that, with the actor inducting the band into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame last year.
Below you can watch the clip of Nickelback defending Deadpool & Wolverine, as well as the original video of Deadpool defending Nickelback, below.
Acting at its finest 🤘⚔️ #DeadpoolAndWolverine pic.twitter.com/D1uwEgHFBm
— Nickelback (@Nickelback) July 24, 2024