Justin Baldoni, who acted in and directed It Ends With Us, has sent a letter to Marvel Studios and Disney to preserve documents related to a character named Nicepool in the movie Deadpool and Wolverine. This letter is part of a legal dispute with his co-star, Blake Lively, who has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and fat-shaming her after she had a baby.
The Nicepool character is portrayed as a well-meaning but somewhat foolish alternate version of Deadpool. Baldoni’s legal team believes this character mocks him by referencing Lively’s accusations. For instance, Nicepool has lines that seem to compliment a female character’s figure after having a baby, which Baldoni’s lawyer argues is meant to ridicule him.
In the letter, Baldoni’s legal team is asking for all documents related to how Nicepool was developed, written, filmed, and any discussions about making fun of Baldoni. Although Baldoni hasn’t filed a lawsuit against Lively or Ryan Reynolds, who played Deadpool, the letter suggests that further legal actions might come soon. The request also includes documents related to complaints against Reynolds by others and his creative influence on films, hinting that the legal issues might expand beyond just Baldoni and Lively’s conflict.
Related: Daredevil: Born Again Finally Releases Trailer
This situation follows other lawsuits in connection with the disputes between Baldoni and Lively. Baldoni and others filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times for its coverage of Lively’s claims, prompting Lively to file a countersuit. Additionally, Baldoni’s former publicist has also sued him and others.
The legal battles show how personal conflicts can affect Hollywood and lead to complex legal issues involving many parties. The response from Marvel Studios and Disney has not yet been made public. These ongoing legal issues highlight the serious consequences of allegations of misconduct in the entertainment industry, and the outcomes of these cases are still uncertain.
Source: Variety
