AsFree Guy’spremiere edges closer, promotional efforts for the movie are ramping up, so naturally, that means tapping into its video game credentials and there are really few better ways to do it than putting Ryan Reynolds inside some of gaming’s most iconic covers.
AfterHalocrashed the film’s premierelast week,Free Guyhas continued gathering more positive reviews to back up the many claims of it being one of the best movies inspired by video games, let alone maybe the only good one ever for some. Of course, having Reynolds’Deadpoolties to the MCU goes a long way, but no matter the pricenothing really ever says gaming like Mario.
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SinceFree Guyalready gives off some pretty big Grand Theft Auto vibes, Rockstar best-selling game had to be one of the chosen franchises, yet the animated version of Reynolds’ Guy flying high as if he were inSuper Mario 64might have someone thinking this could be one of the Nintendo easter eggs spread out across the film. The rest of the classics are rounded off withStreet Fighter 2’sSNES cover,Doom’soriginal 1993 artwork, andMega Man’snotoriously North American bad box art, all recreated in a masterfully funny way.
However,Free Guyisn’t all about vintage games because a blocky Reynoldsalso adorns theMinecraftposter, whileAmong UsandAnimal Crossingensure two of 2020’s hottest games are also included. In that regard, it’s difficult to say if all this fantastic artwork was ready for theFree Guy’soriginal intended release date during 2020’s summer before the pandemic tossed those plans out the window.
Regardless, the sheer number of video game franchises referenced by the film even before its premiere do back upFree Guy’sreviews complimenting the many nods it gives to gaming as one of its smartest choices. After all, Reynolds himself has clarified thatFree Guymay be tied to gaming but that shouldn’t be an obstacle for anyone to enjoy its relatable story something he knows a thing or two about considering his experience playingDetective Pikachu.
Taking these gorgeous posters as any indication of what to come, then allFree Guyis missing are someSony exclusives for the PS4 and PS5, a battle royale free-to-play game likeFortnite, some good old fashioned RPGs likeFinal Fantasy, and maybe an MMO likeFinal Fantasy 14orPokemon Uniteto have all the bases covered.
Free Guyis scheduled for release in theaters on July 14, 2025.
