Reynolds' Dumbest Joke Lands in 'Mayday'

Ryan Reynolds, known for his comedic timing, shared a behind-the-scenes moment from his film "Mayday." He recounted a scene where he delivered an impromptu, seemingly nonsensical question to Maria Bakalova's character while Kenneth Branagh's character was destroying a floor. Reynolds described the line as "the dumbest joke" but found it amusingly effective in the moment.

The actor also expressed high praise for the film's writers, Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley. He noted that their "amazing script" required minimal improvisation, as the dialogue and narrative were already exceptionally strong. This allowed Reynolds to focus on performance rather than extensive joke-writing.

"Mayday," set in 1987, features Reynolds as a U.S. Navy pilot shot down behind enemy lines in the Soviet Union. He forms an unexpected alliance with a former KGB agent, portrayed by Branagh. The film begins streaming on Apple TV on September 4, 2026.

While Reynolds enjoys improvising, he stated his approach varies by project. For some films, he actively rewrites lines and prepares numerous alternative jokes. However, he believes improvisation is most effective when done spontaneously on set, adapting to the environment and scene rather than relying on pre-conceived ideas.