Ryan Reynolds has added further fuel to the fire after ‘confirming’ that the Deadpool & Wolverine character Nicepool was inspired by Justin Baldoni, according to sources who claim his legal team will now be investigating whether Disney allowed money to be spent on a film ‘bullying another person’.
On Tuesday, Reynolds filed a motion to be dismissed from Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit, which stemmed from allegations made by his wife Blake Lively, 37, accusing her It Ends With Us costar of sexual harassment, something he denies.
In the legal documents, Reynolds, 48, made reference to Nicepool – a mockingly woke character in Deadpool & Wolverine, which premiered last July – which Baldoni, 41, claims is based on him – even down to the man bun hairstyle.
Reynolds claimed that Baldoni’s ‘thin-skinned outrage over a movie character, the satirical “woke” Nicepool, does not even pretend to be tied to any actual legal claims.
‘Instead, it falls into the general allegation of “hurt feelings” which in reality 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 of 2024.’
Now, a source has exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com that Baldoni’s legal team will look into Disney’s potential involvement in the alleged smear campaign against him by Reynolds and his wife.
Justin Baldoni’s legal team will look into Disney’s potential involvement in the alleged smear campaign against Baldoni by Ryan Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively
Reynolds, 48, filed a motion to be dismissed from Baldoni’s defamation lawsuit which made reference to Nicepool, who Baldoni believes is a mockingly woke character based on him
‘Baldoni’s legal team is now going to try and do a deep dive into Deadpool and the funding for the film, as well as the actors and producers who were aware of this bullying when filming,’ the insider said.
They said the fact Reynolds has not disputed the claim that Nicepool was based on Baldoni had ‘opened up the scope’ of how Baldoni’s lawyers may attempt to prove that their client had been under a coordinated attack.
‘Being Ryan admitted that the Nicepool character in Deadpool was based on Justin, he not only dragged Hugh Jackman into the forefront and the directors and producers of the film, but also Disney,’ the insider continued.
‘Essentially, Ryan said in court documents that Disney allowed money to be spent on a film that they knew would be a blockbuster hit on bullying another person.’
They noted that the action of creating Nicepool presented further questions: ‘Furthermore, why would Ryan – who believed that his wife was being sexually abused or harassed at the time – create a role for his attacker?
‘What was once a theory is now confirmed. This just opened the scope up. There is a massive power struggle here.’
They continued: ‘Blake and Ryan thought they were untouchable and could get away with anything.’
In his recent legal request, Reynolds described himself as a ‘supportive spouse who has witnessed firsthand the emotional, reputational and financial devastation’ Lively endured.
Now, a source has revealed to DailyMail.com that Baldoni’s legal team will look into Disney’s potential involvement in the alleged smear campaign against him by Reynolds and his wife
‘Being Ryan admitted that the Nicepool character was based on Justin, he not only dragged Hugh Jackman into the forefront and the directors and producers of the film, but also Disney,’ the source said
An eagle-eyed X user has posted side-by-side pictures of Ryan Reynolds as Nicepool and Baldoni wearing a Mr. Incredible costume – and fans noticed the uncanny similarity
He also claimed Baldoni was attempting to ‘shame’ him for being ‘the kind of man who is confident enough to listen to the woman in his life and stand with her.’
However, the insider claimed that the judge was unlikely to approve the motion to dismiss Baldoni’s case.
Speaking to TMZ on Wednesday, Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman said: ‘Mr. Reynolds’ exploitation of his enormous power in Hollywood continues, this time arrogantly asking to be dismissed from the case despite his publicly documented involvement extending far beyond just being a ‘supportive spouse.’
Freedman doubled down, accusing Reynolds of playing a central role in what he called a smear campaign.
‘Mr. Reynolds was a key player in the scheme, defaming Justin around Hollywood, strong-arming WME into dropping Justin as a client, and trying to destroy Justin’s career however possible.’
Freedman scoffed at Reynolds’ attempt to exit the case, and his claims about Baldoni’s ‘thin-skinned’ reaction to the Nicepool character.
‘His fingerprints have been all over this smear campaign against Justin and the Wayfarer team since day one,’ he said. ‘Mr. Reynolds now attempts to reduce plainly cognizable claims to ‘hurt feelings,’ sending a clear message that bullying is acceptable.’
He didn’t stop there, adding: ‘After lighting a match, Mr. Reynolds now seeks to run from the flames. It won’t work. The Wayfarer Parties’ claims against him are real, and they are serious.
The source explained: ‘Baldoni’s legal team is now going to do a deep dive into Deadpool and the funding for the film, as well as the actors and producers who were aware of this bullying’
‘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.’
The ‘sketch shows’ dig appears to reference Reynolds’ SNL 50 appearance, where he seemingly mocked the ongoing legal drama with Baldoni.
Reynolds is seeking dismissal with prejudice, which would bar Baldoni from re-filing the suit in the future.
It is the latest twist in the scorching legal back and forth between the Hollywood stars.
Lively was the first to sue in December last year, alleging that Baldoni ordered a ‘smear campaign’ against her due to tensions on the set of It Ends With Us, a domestic violence drama.
Baldoni retaliated with a $400 million defamation case against Lively and Reynolds as well as the New York Times, which ran a lengthy article about her claims.
All of the parties deny the allegations against them.
In one blistering passage from Reynolds new filing, the actor claimed that Baldoni’s complaint, which ran to 179 pages, was ‘long on hyperbole.’
He wrote: ‘It is, in essence, a burn book filled with grievances attempting to shame Mr. Reynolds for being the kind of man who is “confident enough to listen” to the woman in his life and to hold her “anguish and actually stand with her’.
