Buckle up folks because things are getting spicy in Hollywood legal land! Ryan Reynolds, yes THAT Ryan Reynolds is fighting back hard against Justin Baldoni 's massive $400 million lawsuit. And let me tell you he is not holding back any punches. Reynolds and his legal team are basically saying Baldoni's case is flimsy full of drama and definitely not worth a cool $400 mil.
Reynolds Fires Back: Baldoni's Lawsuit is Just "Thin-Skinned Outrage" and "Hurt Feelings"
So what's Reynolds' main argument for getting this whole thing thrown out? Basically he says Baldoni is suing him over… wait for it… "hurt feelings." Reynolds' legal eagles are arguing that Baldoni's entire defamation claim boils down to Reynolds supposedly calling Baldoni a "predator" in private. And according to Team Reynolds that's just not enough to win a defamation case especially if Reynolds genuinely believed it to be true.
Their legal documents are pretty blunt saying that Baldoni's lawsuit "is long on hyperbole prose and ‘claims’ but devoid of any facts necessary to state ones recognized by law." Ouch. They even call it a "burn book filled with grievances" basically a messy collection of complaints rather than a real legal argument. Reynolds' side insists he has a First Amendment right to express his opinions about Baldoni especially considering the whole backstory.
ICYMI: The Backstory - Blake Lively Accusations "Nicepool" and a Whole Lotta Drama
If you are scratching your head wondering how we got here let's rewind a bit. This whole thing blew up after Blake Lively who is married to Reynolds accused Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of their movie "It Ends With Us" which Baldoni directed and starred in. Lively claimed Baldoni created a toxic environment and then allegedly tried to smear her reputation after she spoke out.
Baldoni flipped the script and slapped Lively and Reynolds with this massive lawsuit claiming THEY were trying to ruin HIM. He is particularly upset about the "Nicepool" character Reynolds may have used in "Deadpool & Wolverine". Baldoni thinks "Nicepool" is a direct jab at his "woke feminist" image and a way to bully and mock him publicly.
Baldoni's team is arguing that Reynolds used "Nicepool" to deliberately target and harass Baldoni even digging into the character's "hair bun" and jokes about pregnancy as proof it was all about him. They claim Reynolds even pressured Baldoni's agency to drop him. It's a messy back-and-forth with serious accusations flying in all directions.
Reynolds' Legal Team: Calling Someone a "Predator" is Just "Constitutionally Protected Opinion"
Reynolds' lawyers are straight up saying that calling Baldoni a "predator" even if he did which they don't fully confirm happened publicly is protected under free speech. They argue it's just Reynolds expressing his "unabashed negative opinion" about Baldoni's character based on his wife's allegations.
They point out that Baldoni himself has talked openly about past behavior that involved "mistreating women and pushing the boundaries of consent" on podcasts and in other public forums. Reynolds' team argues it would be "perverse" for Baldoni to build his brand around these confessions and then sue Reynolds for simply pointing out what Baldoni himself has admitted.
Basically Reynolds is painting Baldoni's lawsuit as hypocritical and a desperate attempt to silence criticism even if that criticism is harsh and personal.
Is This Just a "Gossip Rag" Lawsuit? Reynolds' Team Says YES
Reynolds' motion to dismiss goes even further calling Baldoni's lawsuit a "gossip rag" and "clickbait". They claim it's more about public shaming and stirring up drama than any legitimate legal claim. They even suggest that billionaire Steve Sarowitz who is backing Baldoni in this lawsuit is on a personal mission to "ruin" Reynolds and Lively and is willing to spend up to $100 million to do it. Whoa things are getting intense!
Reynolds' side argues that Baldoni's lawsuit is filled with vague claims and lacks actual evidence of defamation extortion or contract interference. They are asking the court to dismiss the case with prejudice meaning it can't be refiled and to make Baldoni pay for Reynolds' legal costs.
Key Players in the Baldoni vs. Reynolds/Lively Legal Drama:
- Justin Baldoni: Actor/Director, Plaintiff, suing for defamation and extortion.
- Blake Lively: Actress, Defendant, accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, countersuing.
- Ryan Reynolds: Actor, Defendant, accused of defamation, motioning to dismiss lawsuit.
- Steve Sarowitz: Billionaire, Plaintiff, co-founder of Wayfarer Studios (Baldoni's company), allegedly funding the lawsuit.
- Leslie Sloane: Publicist for Lively and Reynolds, Defendant.
- "Nicepool": Deadpool character allegedly satirizing Baldoni.
- "It Ends With Us": Movie set where the alleged harassment occurred.
What's Next? Will This Hollywood Feud Ever End?
As it stands right now Reynolds is demanding the court throw out Baldoni's lawsuit ASAP. Baldoni and his team have yet to officially respond to this latest move. It's clear this legal battle is far from over and it is getting uglier by the day. With accusations of sexual harassment defamation bullying and now claims of "hurt feelings" and "gossip rag" lawsuits it's a true Hollywood showdown.
Will Baldoni's $400 million lawsuit actually go anywhere? Will Reynolds succeed in getting it dismissed? And most importantly will these celebrities ever stop feuding? Stay tuned folks because this drama is definitely still unfolding!