Ryan Reynolds' Epic Birthday Surprise: Rob McElhenney and Chris Pratt Join Forces in a Hilarious 'Parks and Recreation' Inspired Gift

Rob McElhenney, Chris Pratt, Ryan Reynolds. Getty Images (3)

Rob McElhenney sought inspiration from the popular TV show Parks and Recreation to create a special birthday surprise for Ryan Reynolds. In a social media video, McElhenney mentions his tradition of going all out for each other's birthdays and reveals his plan involving a park for Reynolds' 47th birthday. To execute this plan, he enlisted the help of Chris Pratt, who portrayed the character Andy Dwyer on the show.

The video transitions to a revised rendition of the Parks and Recreation theme song showcasing scenes from Wrexham, Wales instead of the fictional location of Pawnee, Indiana. (Reynolds and McElhenny are the owners of the Wrexham AFC soccer team in Wales.)

"Presenting the Wrexham memorial park named after Ryan Rodney Reynolds in Wales," McElhenney declares in a voiceover. "Situated on the historical grounds of the former Wrexham Hippodrome, this park will possess extraordinary beauty."

Drawing inspiration from Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler, McElhenney enthusiastically describes the park as having expansive, lush areas, enticing pop-up restaurants, entertaining movie screenings, inviting benches for elderly gentlemen to leisurely swing on, and a statue that may or may not bear a resemblance to Ryan. Additionally, the venue will be adorned with genuine green lanterns to pay tribute to Reynolds' portrayal of the iconic DC superhero in 2011's Green Lantern.

The video concludes with McElhenney and Pratt showcasing their comedic talents. "Could he possibly contribute something for my birthday and perhaps the two of us could take control, resulting in a truly monumental event?" jests Pratt. Before McElhenney can interrupt, Pratt inquires, "Is Danny DeVito present?" and both burst into laughter. (McElhenney and DeVito, aged 78, have shared the screen on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia since 2005.)

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Reynolds acknowledged Pratt's gift on his Instagram Story and playfully teased his guest role. "Impressive! A genuine member of the MCU. @Wrexham AFC is making progress!!" the Deadpool actor captioned the video.

He added, "Appreciate it, @robmcelhenney. You've surpassed expectations. And thank you, @prattprattpratt, for your generosity and not being merciless!"

Reynolds humorously stated on X (previously Twitter) that he would utilize this park as a place to mourn whenever @Wrexham_AFC experiences a defeat, and potentially even when they settle for a draw. He further expressed gratitude towards @prattprattpratt for generously supporting @RMcElhenney. The month of April is approaching swiftly. #ParksAndWrex.

The official X account of Parks and Recreation also left a comment on the post, mentioning that Leslie Knope is currently preparing for her site visit to Ryan Rodney Reynolds Memorial Park. However, the park's official website has not yet announced a date for the groundbreaking and opening.

At an earlier time this year, Reynolds delighted his friend by creating a funny birthday music video, where he humorously demonstrated the correct way to pronounce McElhenney's last name. Reynolds shared the video on Instagram with the caption, "Sending you a birthday card might've been less effort. Happy Birthday, @robmcelhenney."