Ryan Reynolds backs theatre fined for serving beer

Actor Ryan Reynolds has donated US$5,000 to help pay a Utah theatre’s legal fees after it was caught serving beer during a screening of Deadpool – Marvel’s most recent comic book adaptation.

Ryan Reynolds stars as Wade in the comic book action film Deadpool

The Brewvies theatre in Utah has been threatened with a $25,000 fine and could have its alcohol licence revoked after it was caught serving alcohol during a screening of the film, whose anti hero lead character Deadpool is played by Reynolds. Under Utah law, businesses are banned from serving alcohol during screenings of films that feature sex acts or simulated sex acts, full-frontal nudity or the “caressing” of breasts or buttocks.

As reported by Fox News, two undercover investigators from the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (DABC) went to see the R-rated movie in February and were able to purchase beer.

In a report following the visit, agent Bradley Bullock stated that the main character is shown numerous times “engaging in acts or simulated acts of sexual intercourse with the female counterpart during a holiday themed sex-montage”. The agents also noted the appearance of a fully nude stripper in another scene in the movie. The DABC described the screening of the film, alongside the serving of alcohol, as a “grave violation” of state law, with penalties including suspension of their liquor license for 10 days or revoking it, and fines ranging from $1,000 to $25,000.

Ryan Reynolds has reportedly donated $5,000 to the theatre to help pay its legal fees

Brewvies is now threatening to sue the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control claiming that the law is unconstitutional.

Following the controversy, Ryan Reynolds has reportedly donated $5,000 towards the theatre Brewvies’s legal bills. He also tweeted his support for the Salt Lake City venue, writing “Thank god, they’ve found a way to legislate fun.”

Rocky Anderson, Brewvies lawyer, said it was “laughable” that the DABC would send undercover agents to buy beer and watch a movie on taxpayer dollars and described the law as “blatantly unconstitutional”, speaking to FOX 13.

The theatre was previously fined $1,627 for showing the Hangover Part II while serving alcohol.

He says other states with similar statutes, including Idaho, have had their laws thrown out by the courts. In a similar case, a law in Idaho was repealed after a theatre sued the state for threatening to revoke its license for showing ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ while serving alcohol.

Brewvies’ case goes before Utah’s DABC in May.