RISE OF THE UNDERDOGS

A new wildlife documentary, narrated by wise-cracking Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds, turns the genre on its head, giving the misfits and downright eccentrics of the animal kingdom the attention they finally deserve

- By James Rampton

IT’S A wildlife documentary scene that we all recognise in an instant — footage of lions, elephants and giraffes, the mighty heroes of the natural world, striding majestically across the African savannah, accompanied by stirring music. And this time it’s Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds providing the narrative to the rousing images of the regal creatures... until seconds later, he abruptly changes tone and dismisses the big beasts as “blowhards”.

“They don’t need my help,” adds the Canadian-American actor, who is best known for playing the sardonic superhero Deadpool in the film of the same name. “I’m here for nature’s bench-warmers. I’m talking grade-A freaks with their freaking bizarre, weird freakshow lives. Get ready for the underdogs.”

And that is the exact name of the quirky new wildlife show coming to our screens on National Geographic on Wednesday. Wise-cracking Reynolds makes the perfect guide to this ragtag cast of insects, amphibians, small primates seabirds and fish.

“These guys are the grossest, weirdest, the most unlikely stars in the great movie of life. Wherever there is blatant mischief, wherever there is abject cowardice, wherever there is unbearable sexual tension — that’s where you'll find the underdogs,” he says.

“Welcome to the world of pathetic animals with super-powers. Say hello to the super-zeroes. I'm Ryan Reynolds, and I endorse these weirdos.”

Ryan, who has four young children with his wife Blake Lively, says he is delighted to be involved with Underdogs. “It was a dream come true mostly because I can finally watch a project of mine with my children. Technically, they saw Deadpool & Wolverine, but I don’t think they absorbed much while covering their eyes and ears and screaming for two hours.

“We're so proud to elevate the unsung heroes of the natural world to the top of the entertainment food chain.”