Ryan Reynolds slams Justin Baldoni’s ‘thin-skinned outrage’ over Nicepool character amid legal battle
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ryan Reynolds is challenging Justin Baldoni’s legal claims, arguing that the lawsuit against him lacks legal merit and is based on “hurt feelings.”
In a motion filed on Tuesday, March 18, Reynolds’ attorneys assert that Baldoni’s outrage over the Nicepool character in 'Deadpool & Wolverine' is not legally justified.
Justin Baldoni’s legal team strikes back
Ryan Reynolds' attorneys argue that Justin Baldoni’s case is part of a broader retaliation campaign that began in August 2024 following Blake Lively’s allegations against Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios.
“Instead,” the motion states, “it falls into the general allegation of ‘hurt feelings,’ which is nothing more than a desperate effort to advance the same curated ‘bully’ image that the Wayfarer Parties created and disseminated,” according to People.
Baldoni’s lead attorney, Bryan Freedman, strongly opposed Reynolds’ motion, claiming that the actor has been instrumental in a smear campaign against his client.
“Mr Reynolds’ fingerprints have been all over this smear campaign against Justin and the Wayfarer team since day one,” Freedman stated.
“Now, he attempts to reduce plainly cognizable claims to ‘hurt feelings,’ sending a clear message that bullying is acceptable,” he added.
Baldoni alleges that Reynolds used his influence to sabotage his career, including pressuring WME to drop him as a client.
His lawsuit seeks $400 million in damages from Reynolds, Lively, publicist Leslie Sloane, and Sloane’s PR firm, Vision PR, Inc.
Nicepool character at the center of the controversy
The lawsuit centers on Ryan Reynolds’ 'Deadpool & Wolverine' character, Nicepool, a satirical “woke” version of 'Deadpool'.
In the film, Nicepool, portrayed with a man bun, refers to Lively’s character, Ladypool, as “gorgeous” and comments, “She just had a baby too and you can’t even tell.”
Baldoni’s lawyers argue that Nicepool was deliberately created to mock and ridicule him.
They have requested Disney and Marvel Studios preserve all documents related to the character’s development and any communications mentioning Baldoni.
Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively's high-stakes legal battle
Baldoni’s lawsuit follows Lively’s December 2024 complaint against him, 'It Ends With Us' producer Jamey Heath, and Wayfarer Studios, alleging harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign.
While Freedman denies the accusations, The New York Times conducted an investigative report on Lively’s claims.
Baldoni subsequently sued the publication for $250 million, alleging libel.
Lively’s legal team has dismissed Baldoni’s lawsuit against her and Reynolds as “another chapter in the abuser playbook.”
With both sides locked in legal disputes, Baldoni and Lively are set to face off in court on March 9, 2026.
