Wrexham striker Ollie Palmer has explained how he made a surprise appearance in the new Marvel film Deadpool & Wolverine.
Whilst Wrexham are preparing for their return to League One, Hollywood co-owner Ryan Reynolds is balancing footballing matters with his acting career.
Last week, the new blockbuster Marvel film Deadpool & Wolverine dropped in cinemas with Reynolds, of course, starring as Deadpool.
It also emerged that striker Paul Mullin played the role of ‘Welshpool’, a fitting nod to the Welsh club Mullin plays for and which Reynolds is co-owner of.
Mullin wasn’t the only Wrexham representation in the movie, as Ollie Palmer played a small role as a bartender.
Eagle-eyed fans had spotted a bearded character who bore a resemblance to Palmer in the background of a scene featured in April’s trailer, while the 32-year-old has since explained how the opportunity happened.
Ollie Palmer explains how role in Deadpool & Wolverine film happened
Palmer’s full focus is on Wrexham heading into the 2024/25 campaign but for the striker to appear in a film that took more than $400million (£310m) at the box office over the weekend is pretty remarkable.
The Englishman has since told supporters how the opportunity came about. Speaking to The Athletic, he explained how Reynolds initially invited him to Pinewood Studios and after getting ‘too involved’, director Shawn Lewy eventually asked if he wanted to be involved in the film.
“He (Reynolds) originally invited me down to Pinewood Studios (just outside London) to watch him at work, which was quite a nice role-reversal,” Palmer said.
“As I do, I managed to blag my way into the film. I just got way too involved. The director, Shawn Levy is his name and a lovely bloke, I started giving him a little bit of advice on what angle I’d shoot that clip and that clip.
“He said to me, ‘Do you just want to f****** get in the film?’ I said, ‘ Yes’ and went back a few weeks later to spend the day there. I had a wicked day. They really looked after me. It’s only a short, tiny little moment but it took a bloody long time filming it.
“A wicked experience and one I’m really grateful for. A special day I’ll always remember.”
READ MORE: Ollie Palmer: Profile, Height, Transfer, Salary, Net Worth, Clothing
Ollie Palmer’s mission at Wrexham in 2024/25
In Wrexham’s promotion-winning campaign last term, Palmer shared minutes with veteran striker Steven Fletcher.
The pair both partnered Mullin at the tip of Parkinson’s attack however, with the Liverpudlian missing the first couple of matches, there’s an opportunity for Palmer to grasp.
Wrexham’s record-signing scored seven goals in League Two in 2023/24 but was a nuisance to defend against with his physicality and aerial ability.
Palmer only started once on their Wrex Coast tour of the United States, partnering James McClean in the draw against Chelsea.
It’s currently anyone’s guess as to who starts the opener against Wycombe Wanderers next month, although their final pre-season match against Fleetwood on Saturday may indicate the starting XI, with Parkinson likely to name his strongest side.