Actor Ryan Reynolds has paid tribute to Deadpool & Wolverine production designer Ray Chan following the latter’s demise on April 23 in Wales at the age of 56.
Chan had worked on blockbuster hits like Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. The last project he worked on is the highly-anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine featuring Reynolds as the titular superhero alongside Hugh Jackman.
“RIP Ray Chan. Words are pretty inadequate in comparison to this loss. There’s an incomparable reservoir of skill, tender grit and talent no longer with us. As Production Designer, he was as important a creative force on Deadpool & Wolverine as the writers, director and stars,” Reynolds wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“I don’t pretend to know every chapter of Ray’s heart, but I know it’s unusual to encounter someone with that level of artistry, who simultaneously moved through the world with such an indelible humanity,” the Deadpool actor added.
“He built entire worlds from scratch - and did so in the most collaborative and inclusive ways. Ray was peerless. And just awesome to be around. He'll be missed by everyone — but especially, by the people inhabiting his most important world: his family,” Reynolds post further read.
“The last time I saw Ray was exactly two weeks ago. One of last things I said to him was that he makes magic and there's nobody on earth like him. Generally, he and I gave each other a lot of good natured shit. So... of all the final things you could say to someone you adore, that's a little scrap of consolation I'll hang onto forever,” the Green Lantern actor concluded.
Marvel Studios also mourned Chan's passing, acknowledging his invaluable contributions to shaping the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “The entire Marvel Studios team is incredibly saddened by the loss of Ray Chan, longtime Marvel filmmaker and friend, who passed away this week. Ray was an incredible production designer who helped imagine and design the Marvel Cinematic Universe,” said Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige and Louis D’Esposito in a joint statement.
“From Xandar to the Sanctum Sanctorum, Ray brought distinct, lived-in worlds to the screen, spanning the far reaches of space to a Louisiana fishing boat. He was also a wonderful friend and colleague who will be dearly missed by everyone who had the privilege of working with him,” the statement further read.
“Ray was first and foremost a good friend to everyone at Marvel Studios. He was a talented collaborator who brought creativity and attention to detail to every frame of every movie he worked on, and who was able to bring out the best in each department he worked with,” they added.
