Interviewer Megyn Kelly and Bryan Freedman, Justin Baldoni's lawyer, have piled onto claims Ryan Reynolds mocked his wife's "It Ends With Us" director and co-star during a scene in his latest Marvel movie, "Deadpool & Wolverine," in which he rocks a man bun (as Baldoni used to) and makes inappropriate comments -- and Freedman reportedly also requested Disney and Marvel preserve documents related to Baldoni for a potential legal matter.
Key Facts
Kelly and Freedman addressed an internet conspiracy theory that a character in the latest Deadpool movie, an alternate-universe addition called Nicepool, was given lines meant to mock Baldoni for allegedly fat-shaming Blake Lively on the set of "It Ends With Us."
In the movie, Nicepool is seen with a man bun -- a hairstyle Baldoni wore for years until 2023 -- and discusses the body of his female counterpart Ladypool, played by Lively.
The Nicepool character, played by Reynolds, says "Oh my goodness, wait til you've seen Ladypool. She is gorgeous. She just had a baby, too, and [you] can't even tell," to which Deadpool, also played by Reynolds, replies "I don't think you're supposed to say that."
Nicepool then says, "That's OK. I identify as a feminist," which fans have interpreted to be a dig at Baldoni, who has made a career expressing his support of women's stories, and co-hosted a podcast about masculinity called "Man Enough" until his co-host quit the show amid Lively's accusations of sexual harassment.
Kelly showed Freedman the clip during his interview, to which he replied there is "no question that it relates to Justin." Neither Lively nor Reynolds has commented on the scene in question.
Variety reported on Tuesday that Freedman sent a letter to Disney CEO Bob Iger, Marvel president Kevin Feige and director Tim Miller -- who did not direct "Deadpool & Wolverine," but directed the first "Deadpool" film -- requesting they preserve "any and all documents relating to the development of the 'Nicepool' character" and "communications relating to the development, writing, and filming of storylines and scenes featuring 'Nicepool.'"
The letter reportedly also requested "all documents relating to or reflecting a deliberate attempt to mock, harass, ridicule, intimidate, or bully Baldoni through the character of 'Nicepool.'"
Crucial Quote
"What I make of that is, that if your wife is sexually harassed, you don't make fun of Justin Baldoni," Freedman said. "You don't make fun of the situation. You take it very seriously, you file HR complaints, you raise the issue and you follow legal process. What you don't do is mock the person and turn it into a joke... It's pretty obvious what's being done."
Key Background
In a lawsuit filed against Justin Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and several other defendants in New York federal court last month, Lively claims Baldoni sexually harassed her on the set of "It Ends With Us" and fat shamed her months after she gave birth to her fourth child, and then orchestrated a smear campaign against her. The example cited in the complaint was one in which Baldoni "secretly called her fitness trainer, without her knowledge or permission, and implied that he wanted her to lose weight in two weeks." In his own lawsuit filed against The New York Times, Baldoni said he did inquire about Lively's weight to "ensure he could safely perform (a lift scene) without injury," citing bulging discs in his back. He claimed the misunderstanding led to an "inappropriate and humiliating berating" from Reynolds in front of other celebrity friends during production. Baldoni said that at a meeting before filming resumed after Hollywood strikes, Reynolds "launched into a tirade" at him over a list of grievances he and Lively had compiled in what Baldoni described as a "traumatic encounter." That meeting allegedly took place five months before filming wrapped on "Deadpool & Wolverine."
Tangent
"Deadpool & Wolverine" and "It Ends With Us" were two of the biggest blockbusters of 2024. "Deadpool & Wolverine" grossed $636.7 million domestically to become the second-highest-grossing film of the year, beating "Wicked" and "Moana 2," and "It Ends with Us" was the 15th highest-grossing film of the year with $148 million grossed domestically.
Further Reading
ForbesThe Entire Justin Baldoni Vs. Blake Lively Feud Explained: Baldoni Lawyer Says He Plans To CountersueBy Mary Whitfill Roeloffs
ForbesHere Are Baldoni's Key Allegations Against Lively. Latest: He Claims She Never Read 'It Ends With Us'By Mary Whitfill RoeloffsForbesHere's What Blake Lively Alleges Against 'It Ends With Us' Actor-Director Justin BaldoniBy Conor Murray
