There are certain people in Hollywood who do it like no one else, and when they tragically lose their lives, their absence is palpable.
Such as the amazing Ray Chan, who was a long-time production designer for Marvel‘s biggest hits.
After a shocking statement from Marvel Studios announced Chan’s untimely death, tributes from those who knew and loved the art designer came flooding in on Friday 26 April.
One of those being Deadpool himself, who had spoken to Chan just two weeks prior to the tragedy.
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Chan was best known for working on films such as Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame and the soon-to-be-released Deadpool & Wolverine, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman (with Wolverine reprising his original yellow get up as per the comic depiction).
The art director was well-known in the film industry and was even nominated for an Art Directors Guild Award not once, but five times. Chan nabbed the award in 2015 and 2020 for his work in Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers: Endgame.
Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige and Louis D’Esposito said in a joint statement about their colleague: “Ray was first and foremost a good friend to everyone at Marvel Studios. He was a talented collaborator who brought creativity and attention to detail to every frame of every movie he worked on, and who was able to bring out the best in each department he worked with.
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“He was the nicest human being and was such a pleasure to work with, hugely generous, and the kind of person who could take the seed of an idea and turn it into something beautiful. We are devastated by his passing. He will be missed by everyone at Marvel, and our sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends.”
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However, it wasn’t just the Marvel execs who felt the full force of their loss, it was also Reynolds, who is heartbroken over his friend’s passing.
In an Instagram Story posted to his account, the Deadpool producer wrote: “Words are pretty inadequate in comparison to this loss.
“There’s an unmatched reservoir of skill, surprise, tender grit and talent the film community will never again witness. He was as valuable a creative force on Deadpool & Wolverine as the writers, director and stars.
“I don’t pretend to know every chapter of Ray’s heart, but I know it’s unusual to encounter someone with that level of artistry, who simultaneously moved through the world with such indelible humanity.
“He built worlds from scratch — and did so in the most collaborative and inclusive ways. Ray was peerless. He’ll be missed by so many, but most of all his family.
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“The last time I saw Ray was exactly two weeks ago. One of last things I said to him was that he makes magic and there’s nobody on earth like him. He and I would also give each other a lot of good natured shit. So… of all the last things you could say to someone you adore, that’s a little scrap of consolation I’ll hang onto forever.”
Featured Image Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images/Marvel Studios / Disney+Topics: Avengers, Avengers: Endgame, Deadpool, Film, Marvel, Ryan Reynolds, US News