In a messy and highly publicized legal battle, Ryan Reynolds is seeking to dismiss a $400 million defamation and extortion suit filed by Justin Baldoni, which has turned into a high-profile feud entwined with issues of personal reputation and freedom of speech. Reynolds' attorneys filed a memorandum of law on March 18, 2025, asserting that Baldoni's claims are merely the product of “hurt feelings” stemming from accusations Reynolds allegedly made about him.
The conflict has its roots in the aftermath of the successful film “It Ends With Us,” where Blake Lively, Reynolds' wife, leveled serious allegations against Baldoni. On December 20, 2024, Lively filed a sexual harassment and retaliation complaint against Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios. Just days later, on New Year’s Eve, Baldoni retaliated by suing the New York Times, claiming libel and scandal for a piece published that detailed the allegations against him, which he dubbed an attempt to smear him.
Reynolds’ current legal maneuvering focuses on what he describes as the basis for Baldoni's claims: two instances where he supposedly referred to Baldoni as a “predator.” In the filing, Reynolds’ legal team argues that Baldoni has failed to provide sufficient evidence that Reynolds did not believe his statements to be true. His attorneys contend that the entire premise of Baldoni's case boils down to emotional distress rather than any substantiated legal injury.
In the memorandum, Reynolds pointed out that while Baldoni asserts his reputation has been tarnished by Reynolds' remarks, the defamation claim fails to recognize that calling someone a “predator” can be constitutionally protected opinion, especially if that opinion is based on genuine belief. The document described Baldoni’s allegations as lacking meaningful substance, labeling them instead as “thin-skinned outrage.”
The backdrop of this legal drama saw Baldoni's career silhouetted against the accusations of misconduct made by Lively. Reynolds' legal memo articulated that this explosive litigation originated from widespread claims made by Baldoni himself regarding his past actions toward women on various public platforms, effectively crowning him as a figure whose behavior he has often discussed openly.
Reynolds' entry into this contentious dispute positions him as more than just Lively's husband; it illustrates his staunch defense of her against allegations raised by Baldoni. The motion filed by Reynolds' attorneys states unequivocally, “Mr. Reynolds has a First Amendment right to express his opinion of Mr. Baldoni, which should be comforting to a group of people who have repeatedly called Ms. Lively and Mr. Reynolds 'bullies' and other names over the past year.”
The unfolding legal battle has also drawn in various stakeholders. For instance, the memo references billionaires and financiers, claiming that Steve Sarowitz, a co-founder of Wayfarer Studios, allegedly promised to spend substantial amounts of money to “ruin” Lively and Reynolds' careers over this feud. Reynolds notes, “The First Amended Complaint that Sarowitz and his co-Plaintiffs filed seeks to fulfill that promise by polluting this Court’s docket with hundreds of paragraphs of clickbait…”
Meanwhile, this feud has emerged amid other courtroom challenges for Baldoni, who effectively countered with his own lawsuit against Reynolds and Lively, accusing them of intentionally trying to destroy him due to what he claims were intentional and false allegations. Baldoni contends that Reynolds mocked his character through the creation of Nicepool, a satirical portrayal in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” labeling Baldoni's image as a “woke feminist.”
Baldoni's allegations against Reynolds extend to claims of “fat shaming” Lively and pressuring his agency, WME, to drop him as a client, further complicating the legal web in which the actors find themselves entangled. Reynolds has heatedly disputed these claims, emphasizing that he stands behind Lively's accusations of sexual harassment and feels justified in expressing his discontent towards Baldoni based on that information.
As of now, the legal strife appears bound for trial, with proceedings set to commence on March 9, 2026. As the date draws closer, the scrutiny surrounding this high-profile case is likely to intensify, capturing ongoing media coverage while intertwining the couple's personal lives with public perception.
Amid the tumult, Blake Lively has also sought some relief by securing a small judicial victory last week that limits the access to sensitive details about the ongoing litigation. A modified protective order was granted, ensuring certain information, including medical records and personal security details, remains confidential, which may help maintain some privacy for the couple as tensions rise.
Despite the mounting legal pressures and public scrutiny, Lively and Reynolds have been seen maintaining family time amid these issues, sharing glimpses of their life on social media, including fun moments like a recent baking session at home. Their posts suggest a united front, opting to prioritize family despite the swirling chaos surrounding them.
However, with legal claims flying in all directions and Aldoni’s growing list of litigation against various media outlets and personalities, the situation continues to evolve, revealing the complexities intertwined in Hollywood's world of fame, public personas, and sentiments in a precarious balance.
This drama represents a powerful exploration into how allegations can ripple through personal and professional lives, showcasing a saga that speaks to the broader dynamics of power, influence, and accountability within the entertainment industry.
