Ryan Reynolds’ Voicemail to Hugh Jackman Every 3 Days—What’s the Inside Joke?

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman have had one of the most iconic and entertaining friendships in Hollywood, and it seems that their playful rivalry continues to provide us with endless moments of fun. This time, the spotlight is on a quirky habit Reynolds has, which has become an inside joke between the two. Every three days, Reynolds leaves his co-star Jackman a voicemail with a simple but hilarious message: “Until you’re 90.” It’s a joke that references a memorable line from their latest collaboration in Deadpool & Wolverine, where Deadpool humorously tells Wolverine that Disney will make him keep playing the role of the iconic mutant for decades to come.

The inside joke comes from the fact that Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine has spanned nearly a quarter of a century, beginning with X-Men in 2000. He had declared Logan (2017) as his final appearance in the role, making Deadpool & Wolverine a delightful surprise for fans. The film not only marked his return to the character, but it also opened up the possibility for more Wolverine appearances in the future.

Reynolds, 48, has made it clear that he would love to reprise his role as Deadpool in future films. However, whether this will happen depends on convincing his costar. “I speak for me, which is, at some point, I’d love to do it again,” Reynolds explained in a November interview with The Wrap. But it’s not just his words that are keeping the banter alive. According to Jackman, Reynolds leaves him a voicemail every three days saying, “Until you’re 90,” a phrase that both pokes fun at their on-screen dynamic and hints at the endless possibilities for more collaborations between the two.

This playful voicemail exchange is rooted in a moment from Deadpool & Wolverine, where Deadpool humorously predicts that Jackman’s Wolverine would keep coming back for more films, forever. The joke ties into the real-life reality of Jackman’s long history as Wolverine and the fans’ desire to see him continue in the role, even after his supposed retirement from the character.

Jackman, 56, admitted that when he first saw Deadpool, just a week after announcing Logan would be his final outing as Wolverine, he felt a pull to return. “I could see it, I could feel it, and also I knew that that was an entire avenue/suburb/city that I’ve never lived in, in this character,” he shared. For Jackman, the decision to return was born out of a question: “If you could do anything, what would it be?” And for him, reprising Wolverine in a Deadpool movie felt like the perfect choice.

The collaboration between Reynolds and Jackman, and the incredible performances that emerged from it, were praised by Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy. “Hugh turned in one of the great performances that I’ve ever seen take shape in front of me on a set,” said Levy. “He found new dimensions and parts of Logan. It was a joy for Ryan and I to write for that but really terrifying. We knew we had something that people might not expect.”

Jackman reflected on the effort and intensity of their work together. “Ryan always had a mantra on set,” he revealed. “If the expectation is here, we have to deliver above. If you think we’ve got to work 100%, it’s not enough, because the expectation is so high.” That mindset led to a collaboration that not only met but exceeded fans’ expectations, delivering a thrilling film that brought fresh energy to their long-standing roles.

While fans continue to debate how many more times they’ll get to see Deadpool and Wolverine together, it’s clear that the two actors have found a genuine camaraderie both on and off screen. In fact, Reynolds is already planning new projects with Jackman outside of the Marvel universe, telling Variety earlier this month that he is spending the year writing an unrelated project with Jackman and Levy. Whatever their next venture may be, it’s sure to carry the same energy and sense of fun that has made their Deadpool partnership legendary.

Meanwhile, Deadpool & Wolverine has already achieved extraordinary success, grossing $1.34 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time and the second-highest-grossing film of 2024 after Inside Out 2. With such incredible success and their friendship still going strong, the question remains—how many more times might these two iconic stars join forces for more adventures? If Reynolds has anything to say about it, the answer is simple: “Until you’re 90.”