Deadpool & Wolverine was the second-highest earning film of 2024 and the introduction of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Deadpool at oscars

The film hasn’t been in the media for the best reasons in 2025, at least until this year’s Oscars ceremony, where Deadpool made a brief but memorable appearance dancing behind host Conan O’Brien.

For an annual show that’s previously had streakers, full-on assaults, and some comically memorable errors, a man dancing in red spandex might not be the biggest moment of the show, though it was that way for the man in the suit.

Nick Pauley was in costume, and he showed his thanks with a post online after the performance.

Critics said that Pauley was an absolute delight to watch on screen, and his dedication to making the dance a version of NSYNC’s original number with a Merc With a Mouth-like twist is likely what got him the Oscars gig.

After his performance at the Oscars, Pauley made a post on Instagram thanking O’Brian for the opportunity and Ryan Reynolds for giving him his chance in the Deadpool costume.

“A literal dream come true,” the post said. “Thank you [Ryan Reynolds] who loved the idea of ‘Dancepool at the Oscars.’ I mean, the REAL DEADPOOL approving my silly (insanely elaborate and complicated) idea?!?! Pinch me… & Not only that!! you advocated for OG Dancepool.

Thats f**king awesome and i love you for that andddd I love you. Is it too soon for the L word? I hope not! oop— im crying again.”

The Deadpool Dance That had Audiences Bawling Laughter

Nick Pauley is the man behind the hilarious Deadpool dance from the opening sequence of Deadpool & Wolverine.

Will There Be a 'Deadpool 4'?

The sequence had Pauley dancing to NSYNC’s 2000 hit “Bye, Bye, Bye” in a unique manner. And it didn’t just keep it to the first verse. Shawn Levy recently confirmed to Collider that Pauley did the whole dance.

“I have to say in our wildest dreams we didn’t dare to hope for this scale of mad love for the opening credit sequence including that dance,” he said.

“There’s two takes where Dancepool performs the whole scene and the whole song we have not edited together, and now you’ve inspired me to see if it’s too late or if we can rally and put that out there because it is just maximum delight.”