Justin Baldoni has filed a $400 million lawsuit against Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively. He claims that they created a character named Nicepool in the movie Deadpool and Wolverine as a response to a fallout he had with Lively while they were working on It Ends With Us. Baldoni’s lawyers had previously asked Marvel Studios and Disney for all documents related to Nicepool’s creation.
Baldoni believes that the character developed around the time his relationship with Lively deteriorated, although some elements of Nicepool had already been established before their disagreement. After the SAG-AFTRA strike ended in November 2023, changes were made to Nicepool’s appearance, including adding a man-bun, which Baldoni’s team thinks was intended to mock him.
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The lawsuit accuses Reynolds and Lively of civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy. Baldoni alleges that they tried to ruin his reputation with false claims of sexual harassment and manipulated the film. It Ends With Us for their own benefit. The lawsuit also claims that Lively invited Baldoni to her penthouse, where Reynolds and Taylor Swift were, to pressure him regarding the film. Baldoni mentions feeling intimidated by these high-profile individuals in his complaint.
The legal document is 179 pages long. This lawsuit comes after Baldoni’s team sent a letter to Marvel and Disney asking for information. Given Reynolds and Lively’s considerable resources and influence, it’s unclear how the lawsuit will turn out.
The movie Deadpool and Wolverine has received an R rating due to violence, language, gore, and sexual content. The film features returning actors like Morena Baccarin and Leslie Uggams and new stars Emma Corrin and Matthew Macfadyen. It is available on digital platforms, Disney+, and DVD/Blu-ray. Shawn Levy directed the movie, with a screenplay written by Ryan Reynolds and others.
