Reynolds happily accepts 'Proposal'

Best known these days as Mr. Scarlett Johansson, actor Ryan Reynolds too often gets dismissed as the hunky guy next door.

Yes, he's a hunk, and yes, he's got an Everyman quality about him, making Reynolds equally perfect for mild horror ("The Amityville Horror") and chick flicks ("Definitely, Maybe").

But the truth is, no two of Reynolds' roles are alike. As in any film career, there are a few throwaways, but for the most part, Reynolds has owned his characters, from the OCD businessman-turned-loose cannon in 2007's "Chaos Theory" to the cool, distant mechanic in this year's underrated "Adventureland."

Bonus: He's Canadian.

Reynolds currently co-stars in "The Proposal" as a publisher's assistant who's bullied into a green-card marriage with his loathsome, high-powered boss (Sandra Bullock) in exchange for a promotion. In typical rom-com fashion, we see the pair's burgeoning love long before they do. But as Reynolds explained in a phone call from Los Angeles, chemistry makes the movie.

Question: "The Proposal" is a very sweet and funny film. Is there anything you would change about it if given the chance?

Answer: I love the movie. I really feel like I just need to count my blessings more than anything else, because it's so rare to find that kind of chemistry, like I had with Sandy. It's just not something you can manufacture in any given sense. We knew right away it was going to work. We knew each other well before; we've known each other for about eight or nine years, but that doesn't necessarily equate to chemistry.

Question: How did you two first meet?

Answer: We just had mutual friends, and we ended up at some nightclub one night dancing. And then George Michael showed up, and the three of us were dancing together.

Question: Are you lying?

Answer: I'm not actually kidding about George Michael.

Question: The film takes place in Alaska. How much was actually shot there?

Answer: We shot a total of ... zero days in Alaska. The movie was primarily situated in Rockport, Mass. It's hard to imagine it looking anything like Alaska, but if you actually see it, it's the most quaint fishing town you've ever laid eyes on. I'm not the type of actor that sits in a trailer or a hotel room at all, so I did a lot of exploring.

Question: Betty White co-stars in "The Proposal," as well. How much time did you get to spend with her?