With the iconic “Bye Bye Bye” dance making a major comeback, NSYNC’s choreographer is weighing in on the nostalgic revival of the early 2000s moves.
Who would’ve guessed that a dance number from Deadpool & Wolverine would become an instant hit? The film, which released in theaters on Friday (July 26), kicks off with Ryan Reynolds (Wade Wilson) turning Logan’s grave into a bizarrely creative weapon display (but make it dance), and it’s already making waves. Not only has the R-rated Marvel flick banked a jaw-dropping half a billion dollars globally, but it’s also catapulted NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” back to the top of the charts, along with a trending sensation on social media.
The dance routine, performed by professional dancer Nick Pauley rather than Ryan Reynolds in the opener, was actually choreographed by actor-choreographer Darrin Henson. Unaware of his choreography’s appearance in the film, Henson admits he’s still impressed by the unexpected showcase.
“To see it have a resurgence again has been a spectrum of emotional colors, as you can imagine,” he tells Forbes. “I created it in a time period where people thought the world was coming to an end [with Y2K], and I was actually connecting the world through dance. So, 24 years later, to actually see a new generation of youth participate in the energy of the dance is really wonderful.”
Meanwhile, Pauly recently expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to showcase his hard work.
“It is the honor of my life to play Dancepool in #deadpoolandwolverine ❤️ @RyanReynolds thank you so much for such an incredible and life-changing opportunity. Performing the original choreography created by Darrin Henson #deadpool #marvel #nsync,” he wrote, alongside a TikTok featuring a clip of his epic dance moves.
Deadpool & Wolverine, the third installment in the fan-favorite franchise, follows Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) as he receives an offer to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe from the Time Variance Authority. Instead, he enlists a variant of Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) to help save his universe from imminent destruction.