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Wrexham’s fairytale rise has delivered another blockbuster chapter — and this time, even its famous owners were caught off guard. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman were left stunned during Monday night’s FA Cup fifth-round draw when the Welsh club was paired with Premier League giants Chelsea.
The matchup marks Wrexham’s first appearance at this stage of the competition since 1997, setting up a monumental clash at the Stok Cae Ras. With a quarter-final berth on the line, the tie represents both a daunting test and a defining opportunity for the ambitious Championship side.
Ryan Reynolds’ blunt reaction goes viral
As the draw unfolded, it was Jackman who first realized Wrexham’s fate. Moments later, Ryan Reynolds shared his immediate reaction on social media, posting: “Holy crap.”
The candid response quickly gained traction, capturing the magnitude of the moment. After back-to-back-to-back promotions, Wrexham’s rapid ascent has already blurred the line between documentary drama and footballing reality. Now, a showdown against Chelsea elevates the narrative to another level.
The Marvel co-stars — globally recognized for portraying Deadpool and Wolverine — may well be in attendance when the Premier League visitors arrive in North Wales for what promises to be a historic night.
A true barometer of progress
Beyond the Hollywood spotlight, the draw serves as a genuine measuring stick for Wrexham’s evolution. The club currently sits eighth in the Championship, just one point behind sixth-placed Derby County in the final play-off spot. With promotion ambitions firmly intact, facing elite opposition offers insight into how close they are to competing among England’s best.
Manager Phil Parkinson has previously acknowledged the scale of that leap. Speaking to ESPN earlier this month, he said:
“Listen, is the structure of this club behind the scenes ready for the Premier League and would there be an immense amount of work to take place [if we get there]?
“Of course, but wouldn't it be great to have that chance? You'd probably say we weren't ready for Division One, certainly not the Championship, but I think in football, you just keep evolving as you go along.”
That mindset now faces its sternest examination. For Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, and the Wrexham faithful, the FA Cup draw isn’t just another fixture — it’s a moment that underscores how far the club has come, and how close it might be to something even bigger.
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