Paul Mullin, the star striker for Wrexham, has taken his talents from the pitch to the silver screen with his recent cameo appearance as 'Welshpool' in the film Deadpool & Wolverine. Known for his heroic performances on the field, Mullin was offered this unique opportunity by the club's co-owner, Ryan Reynolds, during the summer of 2023, capturing not only the spirit of Wrexham but also making local connections palpable.
Mullin's role, albeit non-speaking, as "Welshpool," brings a Welsh twist to Reynolds' iconic character, Deadpool. Reflecting on the invitation, Mullin chuckled about Reynolds' insistence on apologizing for wanting him to be part of the film. “Ryan asked me quite a mientras antes de que filmásemos si quería estar en la película. Se disculpó por querer que estuviera en ella,” he recalled. “I’m pretty sure there wasn’t an apology needed. It was something I was going to be over the moon to have the opportunity to do, and I’m eternally grateful for it.”
Filming was no easy feat for the Wrexham ace, as he was whisked away from the pitch mid-season for just several hours to shoot his scene. This quickly turned out to be more of a whirlwind experience than he had anticipated. "It was surreal when you see the set and things like once you allí, pero igual no tenía tiempo para estar," Mullin stated, painting a picture of the brief yet electric atmosphere on set. "Ryan and all the crew made sure I was in and out as quickly as possible—I suppose I got the royalty treatment, as if I was Ryan Reynolds."
This quick turnaround was not just a scheduling conflict; it signified Mullin's dedication to his primary career as he had to balance his on-field commitments with Hollywood aspirations. The filming took just one day, thereby offering Mullin little time to soak up the experience, but he found the process enjoyable nonetheless. “It was something I really enjoyed. I found it quite easy and also refreshing. It was different. I loved it,” he added.
Mullin's connection to Wales goes beyond just the surface level; it stems from his familial roots. "My nan was born in Wales, and I considered more Welsh than English to be honest with you,” he expressed, highlighting how this heritage made the role of "Welshpool" resonate with him significantly. It was, as he puts it, just as much about pride as it was about performance.
The striker's contributions to Wrexham have been monumental, netting over 100 goals and helping the club ascend from the lower leagues to the summit of League One. Mullin's scoring prowess has seen him become one of the team’s greatest players, etching his name firmly within the club's history. Despite any recent struggles on the scoreboard, he remains confident about his impact, both on and off the pitch.
With the undeniable success of the Welcome to Wrexham series bringing more visibility to the club's incredible story, there’s speculation about the possibility of adapting it for the big screen. When asked who should play him, Mullin humorously threw his own hat in the ring. "Me! I’ve got some experience now, so I think I could do it quite well," he asserted, demonstrating no shortage of self-belief when it came to screen acting. "Going forward, I could look forward to playing more [movie] roles. I’d love to. So why not?
Given the rapid rise of Wrexham under Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s ownership, it is heartening to witness players like Mullin embracing the spotlight. His affiliation with Hollywood, even if just briefly, warms the hearts of many locals who have followed the club through thick and thin. Mullin remains realistic, maintaining football as his priority. "If I couldn't pick myself then I'm not sure. I’d probably be a tough task to find someone who could do it— the Scouse accent, the things I say, the things happening to me. So yeah, I'd like to play it myself.”