After the release of Deadpool & Wolverine, Ryan Reynolds has finally opened up about his involvement in the Deadpool test footage leak. While 20th Century Fox was hesitant about the original movie, early footage of a test scene was leaked onto the internet in 2014. The leak received immense praise, which pressured Fox to approve a full-length feature. Reynolds has long been rumored as the source of the leak, which has already led to three movies and a potential Deadpool 4. 20th Century Fox is no longer an independent company, but Reynolds has still been quiet about the leak.

In an interview arranged by Vanity Fair, however, Reynolds finally confessed to his involvement. While Reynolds was hooked up to a polygraph machine, Hugh Jackman questioned him about the original source of the leak. Reynolds attempted to dodge the question, but he eventually confessed that he “provided an assist“. He refused to elaborate about who he was assisting, but the polygraph expert confirmed that Reynolds was being truthful. Check out the quotes and video footage below:

JACKMAN: On July 27th, 2014…

REYNOLDS: Oh, okay.

JACKMAN: You okay?

REYNOLDS: Yeah, I’m perfect, yep.

JACKMAN: The test footage for the original “Deadpool” leaked onto the internet. Were you behind the leak?

REYNOLDS: That’s a great question. Pass.

JACKMAN: I just want to remind you that you are hooked up to a polygraph machine.

REYNOLDS: I just want to remind you that this does not follow the letter of the f*cking law. And if I wanted to break out of this room, and destroy everything in my path, I will. Uh, I, I would say that I, uh, what is the question again…

JACKMAN: Please just answer the question.

REYNOLDS: Oh well for f*ck’s sakes. I mean I might’ve provided an assist.

LOUIS: Truthful.

REYNOLDS: I was Scotty Pippen. Aye, I was just there doing my job and, uh, someone else gets all the credit.

So, Who DID Leak The Deadpool Test Footage?

Reynolds Assisted But Was Not The Culprit

Reynolds has always been an advocate for Deadpool, going so far as to assist the leaker in putting the test footage on the internet. The short clip features Deadpool singing along to music before turning and speaking directly to the audience, after which he jumps off of an overpass and beats a group of goons in a car. It took the internet by storm and ensured that Deadpool would be greenlit, but it was undoubtedly against Fox’s wishes. After Deadpool proved to be a box office success with a $782.8 million take, Fox willingly overlooked the leak.

The mystery of the original leaker remains. Because he had spent so many years advocating for a Deadpool movie, Reynolds was the natural suspect. Refusing to acknowledge his likely guilt, he often pretended that he was infuriated by the well-timed leak. On its fifth anniversary, he claimed that he was investigating the culprit himself and had already settled on a board filled with suspects. The list included Jackman, Taika Waititi, Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld, Betty White, and even Wade Wilson himself.

In reality, the most likely suspects were Reynolds, screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, and Deadpool director Tim Miller. In an interview with Jimmy Fallon, Reynolds attributed the leak to one of those four, and with his latest, partial denial, the other three could very well prove to be the guilty party. Miller previously denied his involvement, leaving the two writers as potential options. There is always a chance that Reynolds provided their footage to an unrelated party, however. After the success of Deadpool and Deadpool & Wolverine‘s projected box office dominance, it is unlikely that any executive will complain.

The mystery of the original leaker remains. Because he had spent so many years advocating for a Deadpool movie, Reynolds was the natural suspect. Refusing to acknowledge his likely guilt, he often pretended that he was infuriated by the well-timed leak. On its fifth anniversary, he claimed that he was investigating the culprit himself and had already settled on a board filled with suspects. The list included Jackman, Taika Waititi, Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld, Betty White, and even Wade Wilson himself.