A high-stakes legal feud in Hollywood has taken a dramatic turn, with Justin Baldoni's legal team accusing Ryan Reynolds of playing a pivotal role in an alleged conspiracy to sabotage Baldoni's career. The controversy erupted after Reynolds sought dismissal from an ongoing lawsuit initiated by Baldoni against Blake Lively, alleging civil extortion and defamation. This legal saga began when Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of their movie "It Ends With Us." Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman criticized Reynolds for leveraging his significant influence in Hollywood to defame Baldoni and damage his professional reputation.
In January, Baldoni filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York, accusing both Lively and Reynolds of orchestrating a smear campaign against him and his production company Wayfarer. The suit claims that Reynolds publicly labeled Baldoni as a "predator" and used the character "Nicepool" in one of his films to mock him. Baldoni's legal team argued that Reynolds was deeply involved in efforts to tarnish Baldoni’s image within the industry, pressuring talent agency WME to sever ties with him. They further alleged that Reynolds’ actions extended beyond mere support for his spouse, Blake Lively.
Baldoni’s lawyer emphasized that Reynolds had been instrumental in this alleged campaign since its inception, accusing him of bullying tactics. Despite attempts to downplay these accusations as mere "hurt feelings," Freedman insisted that the claims were substantial and warranted accountability. He vowed to pursue justice relentlessly until Reynolds faced consequences for his alleged misconduct.
Reynolds' legal representatives countered by asserting that Baldoni's allegations lacked merit, suggesting they were strategically included to tarnish Reynolds' reputation. They highlighted that calling someone a "predator" does not constitute defamation unless it can be proven that the speaker did not genuinely believe the statement. Given Lively's private accusations of sexual harassment and retaliation against Baldoni, along with Baldoni's own admissions about past misconduct, Reynolds maintains his right under the First Amendment to express his opinions freely.
The legal standoff between Lively and Baldoni continues without resolution in sight. In February, both parties informed Judge Lewis Liman via a joint letter that settlement discussions would be premature, deeming mediation and discovery protocols unsuitable for this case. Consequently, the trial is scheduled to commence in 2026, promising a prolonged courtroom drama involving two prominent figures in Hollywood.
This escalating legal conflict underscores the complexities of navigating professional relationships and public reputations in the entertainment industry. As both sides prepare for a protracted legal battle, the outcome remains uncertain, leaving fans and observers alike eagerly anticipating developments in this high-profile dispute.