Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a groundbreaking show in many ways. It was one of the first TV series to feature a female lead in a traditionally male-dominated genre, and it tackled complex themes such as love, loss, friendship, and growing up in a way that resonated with audiences of all ages.
This lead role was played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, as Buffy Summers, a teenage girl who is chosen to fight vampires, demons, and other supernatural creatures as the “Slayer.” The success of the series helped to pave the way for other shows featuring strong female leads, such as Alias, Veronica Mars, and Lost.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer tackled important social issues such as addiction, mental illness, and sexual assault. The show also played a key role in popularizing the supernatural genre, leading to the proliferation of shows such as Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries, and The Walking Dead.
In addition, Buffy featured quite a diverse cast, and many different celebrities also made cameos that might have been forgotten since. One actor who came close to being a cast member on the series but never quite made it was current Marvel star Ryan Reynolds.
Ryan Reynolds Was Offered A Role In Buffy The Vampire Slayer
During the 1990s, Ryan Reynolds was primarily known for his work in Canadian television and film. One of his first acting roles was in the Canadian teen drama Hillside, which aired on YTV and Nickelodeon from 1991 to 1993. In 1996, he appeared in the television movie Sabrina the Teenage Witch, based on the popular comic book series of the same name.
It was with this background that Reynolds was reportedly offered an opportunity to join the main cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which was set to premiere on The WB in March 1997.
The part that the producers are said to have wanted him to play was that of Xander Harris, a close friend of Buffy Summers, and a member of the group of friends who assisted her in her duties as the “Slayer.”
Xander was portrayed as a “regular guy” who was not endowed with any special powers or abilities. Despite this, he played a significant role in the show and was an important member of the group. He was known for his quick wit, his loyalty to his friends, and his sense of humor.
Why Did Ryan Reynolds Turn Down The Role In Buffy The Vampire Slayer?
After Ryan Reynolds reportedly said no to playing Xander Harris, the part was eventually given to Nicholas Brendon, and became the actor’s breakout role.
Had Reynolds not turned it down, however, it would have also been the biggest job of his career up to that point.
Despite this, the Canadian star was not willing to take the leap, and it all had to do with a traumatic episode from his past. He was interviewed by The Toronto Star in 2008, and explained exactly why he refused to join the cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
“I love that show and I loved Joss Whedon, the creator of the show, but my biggest concern was that I didn't want to play a guy in high school,” Reynolds said.
He had only freshly graduated from Kitsilano Secondary School in Vancouver when he was approached for the part, but his memories of high school were not that great.
“I had just come out of high school and it was f****** awful!” he added.
Does Ryan Reynolds Regret Turning Down The Offer To Star In Buffy The Vampire Slayer?
In the same interview with the Toronto Star, Ryan Reynolds was keen to emphasize that he had no regrets in his life whatsoever. Even some of the worst experiences of his life — including the trauma he suffered in school — only served to spur him on towards all the feats he would later achieve in life.
“I don't regret anything,” said Reynolds. “I don't [even] regret having been beaten up in elementary school by the next door neighbor. All these things led me to where I am. It builds character. I have no regret about doing any of this stuff."
Saying no to Buffy the Vampire Slayer did little to hinder Reynold’s career progress anyway: He would go on to gain critical acclaim with roles such as Deadpool in the superhero film franchise of the same name, his lead role in the romantic comedy The Proposal, as well as in the horror film The Amityville Horror.
Reynolds has also had notable roles in films such as The Voices, The Hitman's Bodyguard, and DC’s Green Lantern. In recent years, the actor has also been venturing beyond the screen into writing, producing and executive producing roles.