Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds has shared a heartfelt tribute following the death of Deadpool and Wolverine production designer Ray Chan.
Chan joined Marvel Studios as supervising art director on Thor: The Dark World, starring Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman.
He then returned to the same role in Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Doctor Strange, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
Chan also served as art director on Spider-Man: Far From Home with Tom Holland and Zendaya, before moving on to serve as production designer on Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania with Paul Rudd and the upcoming film Deadpool & Wolverine.
“Words are quite inadequate compared to this loss,” Deadpool star Reynolds began on his Instagram Story.
“There is an unparalleled reservoir of skill, courage and talent that is no longer with us. He was as valuable a creative force on Deadpool and Wolverine as the writers, director, and stars.
“I don't claim to know every chapter of Ray's heart, but I know it's unusual to find someone with this level of artistic talent, who simultaneously moved through the world with such an indelible humanity.”
'He built worlds from scratch – and did so in the most collaborative and inclusive way.'
Reynolds, 47, who stars as The Deadpool antihero alongside Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman in the franchise's third film recalled his last conversation with Chan 'exactly two weeks ago'.
'One of the last things I told him was that he does magic and there is no one in the world like him. He and I would also exchange a lot of good-natured shit.
'So…of all the last things you could say to someone you adore, that's one little piece of comfort that I'll cherish forever.'
Chan's death was announced by Marvel Studios on Friday (April 26).
In a statement, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and executive producer Louis D'Esposito said: “Ray was first and foremost a good friend to everyone at Marvel Studios.
'He was a gifted collaborator who brought creativity and attention to detail to every frame of every film he worked on and who was able to bring out the best in every department he worked with.
'He was the nicest human being and it was a pleasure to work with him, extremely generous and the kind of person who could take the seed of an idea and turn it into something beautiful.
'We are devastated by his passing. He will be missed by everyone at Marvel, and our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.'
Chan is survived by his wife Lindsay and his sons Caspar and Sebastian.
Reynolds can be seen as Deadpool later this year when Deadpool & Wolverine hits theaters, also starring Hugh Jackman as a nearly indestructible Wolverine.
The action film's high-octane trailer was released earlier this month, promising plenty of drama with explosions, intense fight scenes and car chases.
The Crown actress Emma Corrin can also be seen in her new role, while Morena Baccarin will reprise her character Vanessa Carlysle, Leslie Uggams as Blind Al and Karan Soni as Dopinder.
Other cast members include Catastrophe actor Rob Delaney and Succession star Matthew Macfadyen.
Jackman played Wolverine from the 2000 film X-Men through 2016's X-Men: Apocalypse, where he has a brief uncredited scene, and in three spin-off films, including Logan.
There was also a glimpse of Wolverine in 2018 Dead Pool 2, but he'll be a much bigger character in the sequel, which is being helmed by Stranger Things director and producer Shawn Levy.
Reynolds also appeared in X-Men Origins: Wolverine as a swordsman named Wade, who is disfigured like Dead Pool in the films of the same name, but has a different story.
Deadpool and Wolverine is scheduled to hit theaters on July 25th.
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