Ryan Reynolds is trying to have Justin Baldoni’s court claims thrown out. He argues that Baldoni can’t sue him just for feeling upset.
Baldoni claims Reynolds bullied him in a comic as part of a joke. Reynolds’ character, “Nicepool,” is said to poke fun at Baldoni’s “woke feminist” persona in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” In court papers, Reynolds’ lawyers didn’t deny that Nicepool is based on Baldoni. Instead, they said Baldoni is overreacting.
This back-and-forth started after Baldoni directed "It Ends With Us," which features Blake Lively alongside him. Following the film’s success, Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and of using his connections to tarnish her reputation. In retaliation, Baldoni countersued, alleging that both Lively and Reynolds are trying to ruin his career with false claims.
Baldoni went so far as to accuse Reynolds of calling him a “sexual predator” over supposed comments about Lively’s body. He also claims Reynolds pressured his talent agency, WME, to sever ties with him.
In their recent motion to dismiss, Reynolds’ team argues that calling someone a predator isn’t defamatory if it reflects the speaker’s honest opinion. They stated, “Mr. Reynolds believes that Mr. Baldoni’s behavior suggests predatory tendencies.” They emphasize that expressing a strong opinion falls under First Amendment protections.
Reynolds’ legal arguments dig deeper. His lawyers claim Baldoni’s own past admissions about “crossing boundaries” in his youth, due to addiction issues, make it reasonable for Reynolds to hold his opinion. They argue it’s strange for Baldoni to build a personal brand around these past confessions while suing Reynolds for noting them in private conversations.
Public reactions on social media show a mixed bag of support for both actors. While some rally behind Lively and Reynolds, others defend Baldoni, sparking debates about accountability and the entertainment industry’s culture.
Moreover, Baldoni isn’t just suing Reynolds; he’s also going after the New York Times for reporting on Lively’s allegations, as well as her publicist, Leslie Sloane. This situation highlights the tensions and complexities within Hollywood’s public narrative, especially regarding sensitive issues like harassment and reputation.
Whether Reynolds can successfully dismiss these claims remains to be seen. The fallout from this case may shine a light on how celebrities navigate legal and personal conflicts while under public scrutiny.
For more perspectives on celebrity legal battles and public perception, you can read about similar cases on reputable sources like Variety or The Hollywood Reporter.
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Source linkJustin Baldoni,Ryan Reynolds
