Ryan Reynolds opens up about how Madonna approved the use of “Like a Prayer” for use in Deadpool & Wolverine.
During an interview with Andy Cohen on SiriusXM on Friday (July 19), Reynolds shared the story of how he and co-star Hugh Jackman, along with director Shawn Levy, convinced the Queen of Pop to give permission for her 1989 hit for the long-awaited superhero. flick.
“That included a one-on-one visit with Madonna, where we showed Madonna the sequence where she would use 'Like a Prayer,'” Levy said.
“Also, let's preface it with the fact that they don't license — that Madonna doesn't just license the song, particularly that song,” Reynolds added. “It was a big deal to ask for it and certainly a bigger deal to use it. We went and met with her and showed her how it was used, where and why.”
“It was a big deal to ask for it and certainly a bigger deal to use it,” O Deadpool the actor continued. “We went and met with her and showed her how it was used, where and why.
During the visit, Reynolds joked that he had to ask one of Madonna's entourage how to properly address the iconic singer.
“Like I'm allowed to just say, 'Madonna?'” he said. “Like, 'Hi Madonna, I'm Ryan.'
Madonna ended up giving them permission to use “Like a Prayer” — which spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1989 — and even gave some ideas about how to use the classic track in the film.
“He hit a great note,” Reynolds said. “Watch it and I'm not kidding, [she said], 'You have to do this.' And damn if it wasn't spot on.”
“We literally went into a new recording session within 48 hours to make this record,” Levy added. “It made the series better.”
Deadpool & Wolverine opens in theaters on July 26.
Watch an excerpt of Reynolds' SiriusXM interview here.
