Ryan Reynolds has jokingly apologised to numerous people, including his wife Blake Lively, after selling his company Aviation Gin for a reported $610m.

On Monday, it was announced that European beverage company Diageo would be acquiring the Deadpool actor’s spirits company for an initial payment of $335m and “a further potential consideration of up to $275m based on the performance of Aviation American Gin over a 10-year period.”

While the deal is still worth a substantial amount, Reynolds joked about the fine print in an out-of-office email, in which he apologised for telling numerous people to “go f*** themselves in the last 24 hours”.

“Thanks for your email. I am currently out of the office but will still be very hard at work selling Aviation Gin. For quite a long time, it seems,” the actor’s automated email response reads. “In related news, I just learned what an ‘earn-out’ is... And I’d like to take this opportunity to apologise to everyone I told to go f*** themselves in the last 24 hours.

“My lawyers just explained how long it takes to achieve an ‘earn-out’... so... turns out I’m not as George Clooney as I thought.”

Reynolds appeared to be referencing Clooney’s sale of his tequila company Casamigos to Diageo for $1bn in 2017.

The actor concluded the email: “The point is, to those listed below, I’m sorry... and I’ll indeed be needing your help in the coming months and years. Thanks in advance!”

Underneath the apology and plea for financial help, the father-of-three listed numerous people including his mother, Lively, the CEO of Diageo, Dwayne Johnson, otherwise known as The Rock, Betty White, TGI Fridays, and AMC Theatres.

Also included on the 43-year-old’s list was “the head of Alfredo Garcia” and Soothing Lavender Eye Pillows.

Underneath the list, Reynolds, who was creative director and co-owner of the gin brand before its sale but will reportedly remain the face of the company, signed off “Ryan Reynolds. Owner? Aviation American Gin."

In a press release about the acquisition, the Pokemon Detective Pikachu star said growing the company has been “among the most fulfilling projects I’ve ever been involved with”.

“A little over two years ago, I became an owner of Aviation Gin because I love the taste of Aviation more than any other spirit,” he said. “What I didn’t expect was the sheer creative joy learning a new industry would bring … I want to thank Diageo for their incredible team and passion. We’re so excited for the next chapter of Aviation Gin, which, I promise, will require just as little reading.”

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