Ryan Reynolds is taking a new direction in his latest role as Guy, the unassuming, wholesome bank clerk at the centre of Free Guy.
We're most used to seeing the Canadian actor, 44, as the titular Marvel star Deadpool, but Guy couldn't be farther from the wisecracking, foul-mouthed antihero, or indeed many of Reynolds's other typically high-action, high-comedy outings.
Guy is the definition of mundane. Every day he gets up, says hello to his goldfish, grabs a coffee and heads cheerfully into work. The bank then gets held up several times a day in an armed robbery, before Guy returns home in various states of injury. And yet, he's always fine for work again the next morning when he says hello to his goldfish.
Guy, you see, is a non-player character in a massive Grand Theft Auto-style computer game world. He and his fellow bank employees are merely pieces of artificial human furniture decorating the world in which the humans playing the game try to outdo each other in shoot-outs and robbery tactics.
After a chance encounter with a human-controlled character called Molotov Girl, Guy begins to understand his own predicament and, as he becomes more sentient, his artificial life becomes evermore confusing.
Reynolds relished the chance to offer audiences something new from his acting armoury. “My default is just pure trash on the inside, so there's something really wonderful about playing a character who's kind of naive and innocent,” he tells The National.
“It's even said in the movie that he's like a four-year-old adult, and there's something really fun about exploring everything with new eyes, which is what this character gets to do. I love playing a character who is sort of stepping out of the background into this kind of new person.”
It's hard to make a new movie that isn't based on some pre-existing comic book or a sequel
Ryan Reynolds
Reynolds's co-star, New Zealander Taika Waititi, is also stepping on new ground in Free Guy.
Although Waititi's films, as a director and an actor, frequently have a darkly comic subtext, the characters he plays tend to be undeniably loveable – even his version of Adolf Hitler in the Oscar-winning JoJo Rabbit was strangely amiable.
In the shape of Free Guy's Antwan, the programmer who stole the code to create the world in which our hero exists, Waititi plays an unquestionable baddie and he, too, says he enjoyed the change of gear.
“I honestly didn't really know what to expect or what I was doing,” he says. “[Director] Shawn [Levy] described the character and that appealed to me because I feel like my characters are usually quite nice. I just play versions of my mum in all my characters. We had one phone call and he said, 'I think you can do it.' I thought he might be trying to topple his career or something.”
The refreshing new sides shown by the film's leads aren't the only breath of fresh air that Free Guy brings. It is also one of an increasingly small number of films with summer blockbuster ambitions that isn't a sequel, part of a franchise or within a “cinematic universe".
Despite his own plentiful experience in the world of sequels and universes, not least with the much-loved Marvel character that made him a household name (as well as his earlier, less-loved dalliance with the role of DC's Green Lantern), Reynolds is delighted to be taking on something completely new.
“I read the script, sent it to Shawn, and the next thing I know, Shawn was in my living room in New York and we were talking about this world and how we could build it, and make it relevant to the world that we're living in now,” he explains.
“It's hard to make a new movie that isn't based on some pre-existing comic book or a sequel in some regard. So you get the script to a place that you feel is great, and then you have to make it 30 per cent better somehow because you don't have any ability to rely on pre-existing knowledge or a fan base. You really have to go out there and prove it the old-fashioned way. That was a challenge that Shawn and every single cast member was up for, and it was nerve-racking.”
The elephant in the room would seem to be, quite simply, that video game films have a tendency to be dreadful, whether it's critically panned direct adaptations, such as Warcraft and Mario, or fictional video games including Steven Spielberg's disappointing Ready Player One.
Reynolds doesn't seek to duck the issue when it's raised, even revealing that he has never had a video game film in his house. He says he is unconcerned about his latest release going down the familiar video game movie path to critical annihilation for one simple reason – it's not a video game movie.
“Everybody's said, 'Oh, this is a video game movie', but that's like saying Titanic is a movie about boatmanship. It's not. It's a movie about so much more,” he says.
“But I love the narrow target we had to hit to create a world that felt so authentic to gamers, and then still sort of smuggle this other story into that. It was a pretty special thing.”
Free Guy is in UAE cinemas from Thursday
Scoreline
Al Wasl 1 (Caio Canedo 90 1')
Al Ain 2 (Ismail Ahmed 3', Marcus Berg 50')
Red cards: Ismail Ahmed (Al Ain) 77'
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Directed by: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry
4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENetflix%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKris%20Fade%2C%20Ebraheem%20Al%20Samadi%2C%20Zeina%20Khoury%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine 60kwh FWD
Battery Rimac 120kwh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power 204hp Torque 360Nm
Price, base / as tested Dh174,500
What is a robo-adviser?
Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.
These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.
Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.
Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.0%20twin-turbo%20inline%20six-cylinder%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20eight-speed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E503hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20600Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20from%20Dh617%2C600%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Switching%20sides
%3Cp%3EMahika%20Gaur%20is%20the%20latest%20Dubai-raised%20athlete%20to%20attain%20top%20honours%20with%20another%20country.%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVelimir%20Stjepanovic%20(Serbia%2C%20swimming)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EBorn%20in%20Abu%20Dhabi%20and%20raised%20in%20Dubai%2C%20he%20finished%20sixth%20in%20the%20final%20of%20the%202012%20Olympic%20Games%20in%20London%20in%20the%20200m%20butterfly%20final.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EJonny%20Macdonald%20(Scotland%2C%20rugby%20union)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EBrought%20up%20in%20Abu%20Dhabi%20and%20represented%20the%20region%20in%20international%20rugby.%20When%20the%20Arabian%20Gulf%20team%20was%20broken%20up%20into%20its%20constituent%20nations%2C%20he%20opted%20to%20play%20for%20Scotland%20instead%2C%20and%20went%20to%20the%20Hong%20Kong%20Sevens.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESophie%20Shams%20(England%2C%20rugby%20union)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20daughter%20of%20an%20English%20mother%20and%20Emirati%20father%2C%20Shams%20excelled%20at%20rugby%20in%20Dubai%2C%20then%20after%20attending%20university%20in%20the%20UK%20played%20for%20England%20at%20sevens.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
