Chris Pratt, Rob McElhenney Parody 'Parks and Rec' for Ryan Reynolds Birthday Surprise
McElhenney bought his 'Welcome to Wrexham' co-star a memorial park, though an opening date remains unknown.
Today marks Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds’ 47th birthday, and to celebrate his Welcome to Wrexham co-star Rob McElhenney and Chris Pratt are planning a memorial park in his honor. That may sound like a joke, but apparently, it’s a real thing. McElhenney and Pratt made the announcement in a video which parodies Pratt’s former sitcom Parks and Recreation.
McElhenney’s birthday tribute to Reynolds begins with the Always Sunny In Philadelphia star explaining his and Reynold’s past history of birthday pranks to Pratt. Last April, for instance, Reynolds released a music video showcasing proper pronunciation of McElhenney’s name. Pratt, however, doesn’t follow McElhenney on social media, and has missed the tributes.
Undeterred, McElhenney explains to a bemused Pratt that this year, he’s decided to donate a park in Reynolds’ honor. According to “the Unofficial Department of Parks and Wrex,” RRR Memorial Park is located on Wrexham’s Henblas Street, the former site of The Public Hall and Corn Exchange from 1873 until 1906. In 1909, the space was reopened as the Wrexham Hippodrome, a two-screen cinema. The theater played films for nearly 100 years before it burnt down in 2008.
“Working in close partnership with Wrexham County Borough Council, we’re beautifying the park in the coming months to be a reflection of the spirit of Wrexham and Wales,” the Unofficial Department says.
McElhenney promises that the “soon to be renamed” park will feature pop-up restaurants and movie screenings on the green, in addition to “actual green lanterns, benches for old guys to swing on, and a statue that may or may not look like Ryan.”
It’s unclear when exactly the park will be open, or even when construction will begin. Only the “official announcement” date of October 23 has been announced, with the groundbreaking and park opening dates both “TBD.”
Rob McElhenney and Chris Pratt plan a Ryan Reynolds Memorial Park in Wrexham in a skit to celebrate Ryan Reynolds’ birthday. pic.twitter.com/IEAqmj97oK
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 23, 2023