Justin Baldoni
JB Lacroix/Getty ImagesJustin Baldoni and his legal team are asking Marvel and Disney to “preserve evidence” relevant to expected lawsuits against Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively and other parties.
According to the letter on the stay of the litigation that he received Us Weekly on Tuesday, July 14, The Walt Disney Company Bob Iger and Marvel Studios Kevin Feige received the request of Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedmanin order to “preserve all existing documents and data relevant to the Anticipated Claims.”
This information includes, but is not limited to, all documents and communications involving Reynolds’ conduct in connection with any film in the Deadpool franchise.
It also includes any documents “relating to or reflecting a deliberate attempt to ridicule, harass, ridicule, intimate or harass Baldoni through the character of ‘Nicepool’.”
The reported rift between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni made headlines months before the It Ends With Us costars filed lawsuits. While Lively and Baldoni were promoting the film in August 2024, rumors began to circulate about an alleged feud between the two. Fans noticed that Lively was promoting the film with some of her colleagues, while Baldoni, who (…)
“It is important that Marvel take all reasonable steps to preserve this information until further notice,” Freedman wrote.
The move comes as Baldoni, 40, finds himself in a legal battle with Lively, 37, who starred alongside the director in Sony’s 2024 film. It ends with us.
While It ends with us not affiliated with Disney, Baldoni’s attorney earlier allegedly that Reynolds, 48, may have been mocking Baldoni at Marvel Deadpool & Wolverinewhich Disney announced in July.
Ryan Reynolds
20th Century Studios/Marvel StudAccording to Freedman, Reynolds’ character ‘Nicepool’ — who is a man bun-wearing version of Deadpool — utters lines like, “Where the hell is the intimacy coordinator?!” and compliments Ladypool (Lively’s voice) for “getting back” into shape after giving birth.
When Deadpool points out Nicepool’s misogyny in the scene, he replies, “It’s okay, I identify as a feminist.” (Baldoni has she previously wore a man bun and he was vocal about his ardent feminism. In December 2024, Baldoni received the Voices of Solidarity Award from Vital Voices in support of women. The award was revoked a few days later due to allegations of sexual harassment.)
Our has reached out to Baldoni’s team, Marvel, Disney and attorneys for Lively and Reynolds for comment.
In December 2024 Lively sued Baldoni for sexual harassment. The lawsuit alleged that the meeting was held to address Lively’s claims that there was a “hostile work environment” on set. It ends with us.
She also accused the actor of allegedly launching a campaign of “social manipulation” against her to “destroy” her reputation.
Justin Baldoni is denying the allegations made by his It End With Us co-star Blake Lively in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday, December 31. Baldoni, 40, is suing The New York Times for $250 million, alleging defamation and false invasion of privacy for a story the newspaper published on Dec. 21. Article, (…)
Baldoni’s attorney called Lively’s allegations “completely false, outrageous and intentionally depraved” in a statement to Ourclaiming that Lively filed the lawsuit to allegedly “repair her negative reputation” and “retell the story” of the film’s production.
Baldoni also responded with own lawsuitwhere he is listed as one of 10 plaintiffs suing The New York Times for $250 million after reporting Lively’s legal claim. Baldoni’s lawsuit alleges that Lively ran a “strategic and manipulative” smear campaign against him and that times “selective” communications by omitting key details in their reports.
Spokesman for The New York Times said the publication stands by the story and plans to “vigorously defend against the lawsuit.”