Shawn Levy may be most known for his role in giving fans Deadpool and Stranger Things, two of his biggest successes. But recently the producer/director made a surprising revelation that left his fans a little stunned. While most people can only imagine him as one of the generation’s most creative directors, that was not the path that Levy had initially planned to go down. He may have always been in the same industry, but maybe fans would have gotten to see him co-star alongside his amigos, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman.

While the production of both his upcoming projects has been on hold due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike, Levy took a trip down memory lane and revealed what made him decide to pursue directing.

What if Shawn Levy was not a director?

In a recent post to his Instagram, Shawn Levy posted a few pictures of his interview with Total Film Magazine. Just mere weeks after news about him directing at least one episode of  Stranger Things, the Free Guy director revealed that he did not always want to end up as a director. Instead, he said that he had aspired to be an actor, but that quickly changed after he had a scene with Paul Giamatti while they were both at Yale.

During a scene from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Levy recalled watching Giamatti and thinking, “Oh that’s what great looks like.” and it made him want to find the thing he was great at. While that may have been the push into directing that he needed, now the director has definitely proved that films are the thing he is great at. He may have started out confused, but now with an Academy Award nomination and multiple award-winning works of art, it is no surprise that the 55-year-old absolutely loves his job.

With everything on halt due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike, Levy was still ensuring that not only were his actors ready to jump right back into their roles. But also made routine checks of the Deadpool 3 set.

Shawn Levy might love his job a little too much

In the same interview with Total Film, Shawn Levy revealed just how much he loved his job. He shared how he entirely fell in love with his job when he made his “first student film.” And even though the years have passed, his love for filmmaking never changed. The director also opened up about how he approaches each film he picks up.

Whether it be something from the Deadpool franchise or even a “Nickelodeon comedy,” Levy always took one thing into every casting room. And that was “enthusiasm, always,” as he shared in the interview. While fans will have to wait to witness the “cinematic storytelling” in Stranger Things, the director is also set to make a Star Wars movie, further giving fans something to cherish.

What do you think about Shawn Levy’s original career plan? Let us know in the comments below.