A room full of adoptable puppies turned a high-stakes Marvel press interview into complete, joyful chaos.
Ryan Reynolds was in the middle of talking about comic book Easter eggs when a squirming tan puppy clambered up his chest and planted its paws directly on his neck.
Beside him, Hugh Jackman threw his head back in laughter as half a dozen more adoptable pups swarmed across their laps, knocking microphones askew and demanding belly rubs instead of film trivia.
The two Hollywood stars have faced fierce villains, elaborate stunt choreography, and immense box office pressure, but nothing quite prepared them for a studio floor overrun by energetic rescue dogs. Sitting down with BuzzFeed Celeb to promote Deadpool & Wolverine, the longtime friends quickly realized that the interview had been thoroughly hijacked by their four-legged co-stars.
The puppies were brought in by Best Friends Animal Society, an animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America's shelters. Each little dog in the room was looking for a permanent home, though during the shoot, their main goal seemed to be exploring shoe laces and competing for lap space.
Between nuzzles and puppy nibbles, Reynolds and Jackman managed to share several behind-the-scenes stories from their blockbuster team-up. Jackman reflected on finally donning Wolverine's classic yellow-and-blue suit, noting that the entire set went completely silent the first time he walked out in the comic-accurate outfit. Reynolds chimed in with memories of their cameo in a Stray Kids music video, jokingly dubbing it the closest the duo would ever get to genuine fame.
The conversation drifted comfortably into set souvenirs, with Jackman revealing he still holds onto the original leather suit from the 2000 X-Men film, before devolving into a lighthearted cross-border debate over favorite snacks like poutine, BeaverTails, and Vegemite.
Yet no matter how intriguing the Marvel secrets were, the puppies repeatedly stole the spotlight. Jackman spent much of the session squeaking toys and cradle-holding sleepy pups in his arms, while Reynolds found himself repeatedly wrapped in puppy paws.
The interview culminated in an attempt by both actors to demonstrate basic dog training by asking the puppy pack to sit on command. Despite their superhero credentials, the puppies paid zero attention, choosing instead to tumble over one another in cheerful defiance.
Moments like this highlight why pairing high-profile press tours with rescue groups has become such a powerful awareness tool. Seeing action stars thoroughly disarmed by a pile of rambunctious shelter pups reminds viewers of the joy and warmth waiting in local rescues. For thousands of mixed breed dogs awaiting adoption nationwide, giving rescue animals center stage proves that the biggest hearts often come in the scruffiest, most playful packages.