Ryan Reynolds Jokingly Rips ‘Objectively Perfect’ Jonathan Bailey inWickedSpeech: ‘Pump the Talent Breaks’

Mar. 15, 2025

Ryan Reynolds, Jonathan Bailey.Photo:Jamie McCarthy/Getty; Karwai Tang/WireImage

Jamie McCarthy/Getty; Karwai Tang/WireImage

Ryan Reynoldshas a bone to pick withJonathan Bailey!The actor, 48, jokingly called out theWicked: Part Oneactor, 36, for being “objectively perfect” while presenting the movie at theNational Board of Review Awardsgala in New York City on Tuesday, Jan. 7.Making his first public appearance since his wifeBlake Livelyfileda complaintagainstIt Ends With UscostarJustin Baldoni, Reynolds quipped in his speech, “I have one note. I think we can all agree that Jonathan Bailey is objectively perfect. Perhaps too perfect. Personally, I would’ve preferred fewer scenes featuring Mr. Bailey.”“Being good is great, but being great is bad. You can’t just go around indiscriminately spraying charisma all over an enraptured audience. It might feel nice in the moment but it could easily destabilize the entire industry," he continued.TheDeadpool & Wolverinestar also joked that Bailey was “making us look terrible” — referring to the rest of the leading actors in Hollywood.Reynolds speaks onstage at The National Board of Review Gala in N.Y.C. on Jan. 7.John Nacion/Variety via Getty“…The HLMS, or Hollywood Leading Man Society, simply cannot sustain a standard of performance this high and it is in our collective best interest that Jonathan Bailey tone it the f - - - down,” Reynolds said. “I cannot work harder than I already work and plastic surgery frightens me, Johnny … Let’s just pump the talent breaks or get out of f— town.“The father of four went on to praise Bailey for being “hardworking,” “kind” and “easy on the eyes."“But the HLMS relies on predictable mediocrity. Do not force our hand, Bailey,” he warned the British actor in conclusion.Wicked: Part Onescooped awards for best film and director on the evening along with the Spotlight Award for the “creative collaboration” between leading costarsCynthia ErivoandAriana Grande.Bailey at the ‘Wicked’ premiere in Los Angeles in November.Gilbert Flores/Variety via GettyBack in December, Reynolds was winning awards of his own when hereceived the Order of Canada, the highest civilian distinction.And in a statement exclusively shared with PEOPLE on Dec. 19, the actor said he “couldn’t be more emotional and proud” of the award.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“I’m so grateful to be a part of the ever-evolving Canadian story," Reynolds, a native of Vancouver, said.He went on to thank went on to thank his “third parent" — the communities across Canada who “supported and shaped" him.Reynolds — who sharesfour children with Lively— continued. “I’m asking the Governor General if I can break my officer’s medal into thousands of little pieces to share.”

Ryan Reynoldshas a bone to pick withJonathan Bailey!

The actor, 48, jokingly called out theWicked: Part Oneactor, 36, for being “objectively perfect” while presenting the movie at theNational Board of Review Awardsgala in New York City on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

Making his first public appearance since his wifeBlake Livelyfileda complaintagainstIt Ends With UscostarJustin Baldoni, Reynolds quipped in his speech, “I have one note. I think we can all agree that Jonathan Bailey is objectively perfect. Perhaps too perfect. Personally, I would’ve preferred fewer scenes featuring Mr. Bailey.”

“Being good is great, but being great is bad. You can’t just go around indiscriminately spraying charisma all over an enraptured audience. It might feel nice in the moment but it could easily destabilize the entire industry," he continued.

TheDeadpool & Wolverinestar also joked that Bailey was “making us look terrible” — referring to the rest of the leading actors in Hollywood.

Reynolds speaks onstage at The National Board of Review Gala in N.Y.C. on Jan. 7.John Nacion/Variety via Getty

John Nacion/Variety via Getty

“…The HLMS, or Hollywood Leading Man Society, simply cannot sustain a standard of performance this high and it is in our collective best interest that Jonathan Bailey tone it the f - - - down,” Reynolds said. “I cannot work harder than I already work and plastic surgery frightens me, Johnny … Let’s just pump the talent breaks or get out of f— town."

The father of four went on to praise Bailey for being “hardworking," “kind” and “easy on the eyes.”

“But the HLMS relies on predictable mediocrity. Do not force our hand, Bailey,” he warned the British actor in conclusion.

Wicked: Part Onescooped awards for best film and director on the evening along with the Spotlight Award for the “creative collaboration” between leading costarsCynthia ErivoandAriana Grande.

Bailey at the ‘Wicked’ premiere in Los Angeles in November.Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Back in December, Reynolds was winning awards of his own when hereceived the Order of Canada, the highest civilian distinction.

And in a statement exclusively shared with PEOPLE on Dec. 19, the actor said he “couldn’t be more emotional and proud" of the award.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“I’m so grateful to be a part of the ever-evolving Canadian story," Reynolds, a native of Vancouver, said.

He went on to thank went on to thank his “third parent" — the communities across Canada who “supported and shaped" him.

Reynolds — who sharesfour children with Lively— continued. “I’m asking the Governor General if I can break my officer’s medal into thousands of little pieces to share.”

source: people.com