In a contentious legal battle, actor Ryan Reynolds has filed a motion to dismiss allegations brought against him by Justin Baldoni, claiming that the accusations do not constitute defamation. The lawsuit arose from claims made by Baldoni who accused Reynolds of privately labeling him a "predator." Reynolds, through his attorneys, contends that such statements are protected under the First Amendment, particularly if he genuinely believes them to be true.
On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Reynolds' legal team submitted the motion, asserting that Baldoni's allegations fail to meet the requirements for defamation. "The entirety of Mr. Baldoni’s case appears to be based on Mr. Reynolds allegedly privately calling Mr. Baldoni a 'predator,' but here is the problem: that is not defamation unless they can show that Mr. Reynolds did not believe that statement to be true," the attorneys, Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, explained in a public statement. They further emphasized that Baldoni's own allegations suggest Reynolds genuinely believes the claim.
The motion states, "Mr. Reynolds genuinely, perhaps passionately, believes that Mr. Baldoni’s behavior is reflective of a 'predator.'" This defense hinges on the argument that Baldoni, who also serves as the director of the film It Ends With Us, is merely expressing "hurt feelings" rather than making legitimate legal claims. It contends that Baldoni’s supposed outrage over a character in the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine film, who is depicted as an exaggerated version of himself named "Nicepool," does not equate to valid legal concerns.
Reynolds' lawyers further addressed claims surrounding his wife, actress Blake Lively, who has been embroiled in her own legal disputes with Baldoni. They pointed out that Reynolds’ involvement is limited to supporting his wife and that he has no direct connection to the claims against Baldoni. "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 document stated.
Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, has rebutted Reynolds' motion, stating emphatically that the actor is attempting to evade responsibility for his actions. "After lighting a match, Mr. Reynolds now seeks to run from the flames. It won’t work," Freedman asserted. He further claimed that Reynolds was an intrinsic part of a scheme to undermine Baldoni’s career by damaging his reputation throughout Hollywood. Baldoni's legal team alleges that Reynolds pressured the agency WME into dropping Baldoni as a client, signaling a deliberate effort to sabotage the director's career.
Freedman expressed strong sentiments about the ongoing legal issues, stating that the claims against Reynolds are real and significant. "Mr. Reynolds can appear on as many sketch shows as he wants and feebly try to make light of his current situation, but we will not stop until he is held accountable for his actions," he declared, highlighting the gravity of the legal trouble that lies ahead.
The conflict originally escalated in January when Baldoni filed a hefty $400 million lawsuit against Lively and Reynolds, accusing the couple of hijacking the production of It Ends With Us and orchestrating a smear campaign against him. The suit includes allegations of defamation, civil extortion, and breach of contract, which Baldoni claims have severely impacted his reputation and professional opportunities.
In response, Blake Lively also filed her own lawsuit against Baldoni and his business entity, Wayfarer Studios, following a complaint she lodged with the California Civil Rights Department in December 2024. She accused Baldoni of sexual harassment on the film's set and claimed he conspired to damage her reputation through negative publicity.
The ongoing legal disputes paint a turbulent picture of collaboration turned adversarial within Hollywood’s high-profile projects. As these lawsuits evolve, they not only spotlight the darker undercurrents of celebrity partnerships but also raise broader questions about conduct on film sets, reputations, and the intersection of personal and professional relationships within the industry.
The outcome of these legal battles could set significant precedents for how disputes of this nature are handled in the future. As public opinion sways in favor of one party or the other, both Reynolds and Baldoni face scrutiny not only from the court but also from fans and the media. The stakes could not be higher as both actors navigate their careers while addressing the drama that has unfolded.
