How a middle schooler used Ryan Reynolds' voice to launch a Hollywood career
In short: In 2020, hundreds of children auditioned for a major Netflix role. Only one stood out, not just for his acting, but for his uncanny ability to mimic a superstar. This is the rapid rise of Walker Scobell, from drama class to the center of the Disney+ universe.
Walker Scobell’s professional journey began with a remarkable feat of imitation. While aged 11, he sought the part of Ryan Reynolds' younger counterpart in the Netflix movie The Adam Project during August 2020. Drawing on his experience watching Reynolds' Deadpool films, Scobell successfully impersonated the actor, a talent that helped him secure the part despite facing hundreds of other young competitors. This performance, which premiered in March 2022, earned him critical acclaim, with NPR's Glen Weldon noting his performance was both funny and notably unprecocious.
The momentum from his debut led to a string of high-profile leading roles. Following his work in The Adam Project, Scobell starred alongside Owen Wilson in the Paramount+ film Secret Headquarters, released in August 2022. His most significant breakthrough, however, came via Disney+. Prior to The Adam Project hitting screens, Scobell went for the lead in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians show. Rick Riordan, the series creator, described Scobell's audition footage as remarkable, resulting in a formal casting reveal in April 2022 and a December 20, 2023, debut.
Despite his rapid ascent in the industry, Scobell's life remains a balance of high-stakes acting and traditional schooling at Fairview High School. His career continues to expand into diverse genres, including the family drama Looking Through Water, which he joined in May 2023, and the upcoming The Angry Birds Movie 3, slated for a December 23, 2026 release. However, his fame has not been without challenges; in April 2026, Scobell shared that he would forgo attending his high school prom following death threats directed at teenage girls associated with him.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Walker Scobell
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