Actor Ryan Reynolds, husband of Blake Lively, has reportedly referred to Justin Baldoni as a “predator” in a strongly worded motion seeking the dismissal of the case against him. The legal filing, described as blistering in tone, argues for the complete dismissal of the claims, though further details regarding the nature of the case and the specific allegations remain undisclosed.
Actor Ryan Reynolds has filed a motion in a New York court seeking dismissal from the ongoing legal dispute involving his wife, Blake Lively, and actor-director Justin Baldoni. In the filing, Reynolds condemned Baldoni, referring to him as a “predator” and accusing him of engaging in a “smear campaign” against Lively following tensions on the set of It Ends With Us.
Reynolds asserted that he believes Baldoni harassed Lively during the film’s production, which ultimately led to both parties suing each other for defamation. In the 38-page filing, Reynolds described himself as a “supportive spouse who has witnessed firsthand the emotional, reputational, and financial devastation” Lively endured. He further accused Baldoni of attempting to “shame” him for standing by his wife, stating that he has a “First Amendment right to hold Mr. Baldoni—or any man who he believes sexually harassed his wife—in deep disdain.”
The legal battle escalated after Lively initiated proceedings in December, alleging that Baldoni orchestrated a campaign to damage her reputation. In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and The New York Times, which published an article detailing her allegations.
Reynolds’ motion to dismiss argues that he has no legal involvement in the matter beyond supporting his wife. His attorneys questioned the basis for his inclusion in the lawsuit, stating: “What does Ryan Reynolds have to do with this case, legally speaking, other than being a supportive spouse who has witnessed firsthand the emotional, reputational, and financial devastation Ms. Lively has suffered? Nothing.”
The filing underscores the deeply personal nature of the dispute, with Reynolds’ sharp language marking a significant escalation in the legal battle between the parties.
In a newly filed motion, Ryan Reynolds asserts that his inclusion as a defendant in Justin Baldoni’s lawsuit is solely due to financial backing from Steve Sarowitz, co-founder of Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios. According to Reynolds, Sarowitz allegedly pledged $100 million to “ruin” both him and his wife, Blake Lively.
Reynolds further argues that Baldoni’s lawsuit is “polluting this court’s docket” with “hundreds of paragraphs of clickbait” intended for public consumption rather than presenting “any cognizable legal claim.” The allegations against Reynolds, he notes, primarily revolve around two instances in which he purportedly referred to Baldoni as a “predator.” However, Reynolds maintains that such statements are protected speech, as they reflect his sincerely held belief.
The filing states: “The complaint alleges no plausible facts suggesting Mr. Reynolds did not believe this comment to be true; instead, the relevant allegations indicate that Mr. Reynolds genuinely, perhaps passionately, believes that Mr. Baldoni’s behavior is reflective of a ‘predator.’”
Reynolds also addresses Baldoni’s claim that Nicepool—a satirical character in Deadpool & Wolverine, released in July 2024—was modeled after him. The character, who embodies exaggerated “woke” tendencies and sports a man bun, is cited in Baldoni’s complaint as evidence of defamation. However, Reynolds dismisses this as “thin-skinned outrage” and contends that it lacks any legal merit.
His motion argues that Baldoni’s claims amount to “hurt feelings” rather than a legitimate cause of action. The filing further states: “This is nothing more than a desperate effort to advance the same curated ‘bully’ image that [Baldoni] created and disseminated in the retaliation campaign they launched against Ms. Lively in August 2024.”
Reynolds continues to seek dismissal from the case, asserting that Baldoni’s claims are legally baseless and serve only to fuel a broader public relations battle.#newsafro_
