Ryan Reynolds recalls a close encounter he had with a bear growing up. (REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch)
Ryan Reynolds enjoys exploring the wonders of bears on the big screen, but encountering the huge creatures in the wild is a different story.
The "Deadpool" star narrates the new IMAX documentary "Great Bear Rainforest: Land of the Spirit Bear," which features the all-white spirit bear Mox. In the film, nature lovers get to explore the ancient rainforest and its creatures, including the "rarest bear on Earth."
"She [Mox] has a real personality," Reynolds told USA Today. He added, "You’re immediately in love with her. The underdog story, or underbear story, of her surviving this changing world, it's pretty easy to get on that bandwagon."
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The "Great Bear Rainforest" stretches about 25,000 square miles along the Pacific coast of Canada. It's home to grizzlies, wolves, otters and other unique animals.
"Hidden from the outside world, the Great Bear Rainforest is one of the wildest places left on earth," the creators of "Great Bear Rainforest" explained on a website promoting the film. "It is the last intact temperate rainforest in the world—a place protected by the region’s indigenous people for millennia."
The scenery is something Reynolds, who was born in Vancouver, is familiar with. The 42-year-old recalled going on camping trips with friends growing up. One trip to British Columbia's Garibaldi Park, in particular, Reynolds said he'd never forget.
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The actor told USA Today on Thursday that he was a sophomore in high school when he was awoken by an eerie noise outside of his tent. Frightened, Reynolds immediately popped up and shook his friend.
Using a jackknife, Reynolds cut a slit into the side of the tent to confirm one of his biggest fears: the sight of a bear just inches away.
"Yeah, we screamed bloody murder," said Reynolds. "The bear took off pretty quickly once we screamed."
"We naturally flipped out," Reynolds told the publication. "I don’t think they make diapers secure enough for teenage boys at that age when something like that happens. My eyes were the size of dinner plates."
Reynolds said he was prepared to use the knife to cut open an escape if the bear tried entering the tent. Fortunately, he didn't have to use the weapon. The bear ran off after Reynolds and his pal started making noise.
"Yeah, we screamed bloody murder," said Reynolds. "The bear took off pretty quickly once we screamed."
The following morning, Reynolds said his camp leader inspected the tracks and determined it was likely a juvenile bear. Regardless, Reynolds said the experience was still frightening.
"It was baby bear ... being a rascal," Reynolds joked. "I’m sure this cub meant no harm and was probably checking us out. But it’s still a sign to get the hell out of there. Because mama is going to be close by."
Reynolds said he saw several black bears when he was younger. There are an estimated 500,000 black bears roaming in Canada, according to the Fur Institute of Canada. It's the most common bear spotted in the country, though the land is also home to polar bears and grizzlies.
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