Justin Baldoni’s Lawyer Says Ryan Reynolds Based ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’s Nicepool on the Actor: “There’s no question it relates to Justin”

Ryan Reynolds has found himself at the center of controversy surrounding a deleted scene from Deadpool & Wolverine that seems to poke fun at Justin Baldoni. The issue has sparked a heated legal battle involving Reynolds’ wife, Blake Lively, and Baldoni, who directed and co-starred with Lively in It Ends With Us.

The dispute began when Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, accused Reynolds of mocking his client through the character “Nicepool,” an alternate version of Deadpool who sports a man bun and exhibits toxically positive behavior.

Freedman claims the character is an unmistakable jab at Baldoni, who has been vocal about feminism and once wore a man bun. In the movie, Nicepool makes remarks about “Ladypool” (played by Lively), saying, “She just had a baby, and you can’t even tell,” followed by, “That’s okay. I identify as a feminist.” Critics and social media users have pointed out similarities between Nicepool’s mannerisms and Baldoni’s public persona.

During an appearance on The Megyn Kelly Show, Freedman argued that Reynolds’ actions were inappropriate, especially given Lively’s ongoing lawsuit against Baldoni for alleged sexual harassment. He criticized Reynolds for turning a serious issue into a joke, stating, “If your wife is sexually harassed, you don’t make fun of Justin Baldoni.”

Freedman also mentioned an apparent deleted scene where Nicepool joked about starting a podcast monetizing the women’s movement, further fueling speculation that the character was inspired by Baldoni.

The conflict between Lively and Baldoni has escalated in recent months. Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in December, accusing him of sexual harassment, retaliation, and fostering a toxic work environment during the filming of It Ends With Us. Her complaint details allegations of body-shaming, unwanted physical contact, and inappropriate behavior on set.

Baldoni has denied these claims, calling them false and damaging. He has countersued Lively, accusing her and her PR team of manipulating the narrative to tarnish his reputation.

Adding to the tension, Freedman revealed that Baldoni plans to file a lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and others involved in the alleged campaign to discredit him. Baldoni has also accused Reynolds of berating him over the weight-shaming allegations in front of their celebrity friends, calling it an “inappropriate and humiliating” encounter.

As the legal battle intensifies, both sides continue to trade accusations. Lively’s legal team has condemned Baldoni’s countersuit as a “blame the victim” strategy, emphasizing that their claims are backed by evidence. Meanwhile, Baldoni’s representatives have framed their response as a defense against a calculated attempt to destroy his career.

This ongoing feud has drawn significant public attention, with fans and industry insiders closely watching how the lawsuits will unfold. For now, Reynolds remains silent on the matter, making his first public appearance at the National Board of Review Awards earlier this week, where he praised films that center on strong women.

Whether intentional or not, the fallout from Deadpool & Wolverine has added another layer to an already complex and contentious situation.

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