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Ryan Reynolds Calls Justin Baldoni a ‘Predator’ in Explosive Legal Battle!

BBG News

 Ryan Reynolds has just filed a motion to have the Baldoni case against him dismissed.

According to the court documents, Reynolds alleges that Baldoni portrays him as a predator in a derisive manner and makes fun of his sensitivity and quick temper, which he associates with the fictional character Nicepool from Deadpool, whom Baldoni reportedly modeled after himself.

In my view, the allegations made against Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, as outlined in the document, seem excessively dramatic, rich in language yet short on legal facts. Essentially, it appears to me that this document serves as a sort of gossip journal, filled with accusations aimed at shaming Mr. Reynolds for being a man who genuinely listens to and supports the women in his life – traits such as being “confident enough to listen” and “standing by their anguish.” In essence, I believe this document is a classic example of a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), intended to intimidate or censor. I firmly advocate for its dismissal with prejudice.

In the court documents, it is stated that ‘Mr. Reynolds has been named a defendant in this case for a single reason: wealthy Plaintiff Steve Sarowitz vowed to invest as much as $100 million with the intention of damaging Ms. Lively and Mr. Reynolds.’

In simpler terms, the revised lawsuit submitted by Sarowitz and his fellow plaintiffs aims to live up to their promise by overwhelming this court with numerous sections that resemble sensational headlines rather than legal arguments relevant to our court’s consideration.

More to follow in this breaking story

Recently, Justin Baldoni‘s lawyer, representing Blake Lively’s co-star in “It Ends With Us,” expressed a firm stance during a podcast when queried about the potential for a settlement.

In the most recent installment of Matthew Belloni’s podcast “The Town”, the host had a conversation with Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s lawyer, about the ongoing legal disputes between Baldoni and Lively (age 37). They discussed possible resolutions for these lawsuits.

Despite it being typical for such lawsuits to end in a settlement, Freedman seemed to imply that Baldoni, aged 41, was prepared to carry on with the legal battle right up to the court’s final decision.

Previously, Lively had submitted a sexual harassment claim against Baldoni, the director of their popular romantic drama titled “It Ends With Us,” in the month of December.

Later on, Baldoni took legal action by filing a defamation suit worth $400 million against Lively, her representative, as well as her spouse, Ryan Reynolds.

Additionally, he initiated a defamation lawsuit worth $250 million against The New York Times, stemming from their coverage of the accusations made by Lively.

As a committed supporter, I find myself in the midst of a situation where both Lively and Baldoni have refuted one another’s allegations. Interestingly, The New York Times has countered Baldoni’s accusations and has petitioned for the dismissal of his lawsuit against them.

In the podcast, Belloni hinted at the potential outcome where Baldoni could be proposing a compromise in Lively’s lawsuit against him.

According to Belloni, as reported by Us Weekly, he doesn’t foresee a court trial happening in this case. Instead, he thinks that the likelihood of things turning into a spectacle and causing harm to all parties involved will lead them to come to an agreement and settle out of court.

Later, he inquired as to why the two parties would prolong this hypothetical legal dispute and the unfavorable media attention it brings them unnecessarily for a longer period of time.

He inquired, “What figure would satisfy Baldoni to resolve this matter?” or more casually, “How much would it take for Baldoni to call off this issue?

Instead, Freedman appeared to avoid discussions about a settlement by subtly contesting Belloni’s perspective on the matter.

He responded, “I understand why you’re calling it a circus, given all the cases you handle. However, it’s important to remember that, despite the many things you see, this isn’t just a circus when you personally encounter such situations.

In various challenging phases of their careers and lives, I’ve served as a representative for numerous individuals. It appears that Justin has suffered greatly from this situation, according to his statement.

Freedman described Lively’s allegations against Baldoni as a “significant matter,” and emphasized the importance of thoroughly examining these claims in a court of law.

In today’s world, the most effective method to clear your name is by demonstrating your innocence, and that’s exactly what we are striving towards, he asserted. However, this can typically be achieved only within a court of law.

Additionally, Freedman made it clear why Baldoni established a site overflowing with papers detailing his accusations towards Lively regarding her supposed defamation, along with his rebuttals to her allegations of sexual misconduct on set.

As per the attorney, all the relevant documents have been officially filed in the court and the website serves as a more convenient way for curious spectators to track the ongoing developments in the lawsuit.

According to Freedman, the site serves as a compilation of petitions that have been made public and are readily available for anyone to access. Essentially, it’s a location where one can discover various items.

He mentioned that he believed the website was especially crucial for his client, since it countered the allegations made by Lively in a prominent New York Times article – an incident that led Baldoni to file a lawsuit against the newspaper.

As soon as the New York Times article was published, Justin’s situation was essentially over, according to Freedman.

In the court of public sentiment, he faced strong opposition. He found himself without an ally in this situation. No evidence seemed to support him… It was crucial for him to reveal genuine, authentic facts, he insisted.

Last month, Lively asserted a fresh round in her persistent legal exchange with Justin Baldoni, stating that she wasn’t the sole individual who felt uneasy on the set of “It Ends With Us.

A revised form of her later-filed complaint in New York’s federal court asserts additional support for her initial accusations. As reported by People, a representative for the actress stated that “other women shared with Blake their unease” regarding the matter.

In an interview with DailyMail.com, attorney Freedman for Balondi stated that their clients have been open in supplying receipts, real-time documents, and video which present a contrasting narrative compared to what has been selectively depicted and distorted in the media. Despite the humorous comments made in public by the plaintiff and her husband, our clients are treating this matter and these issues with utmost sincerity.

He went on to say, ‘Her revised lawsuit seems weak, as it’s based on vague testimonies from unknown sources who apparently won’t step forward now. The forthcoming depositions of those who initially backed Ms. Lively’s questionable accusations and eyewitnesses to her actions will be revealing. What’s troubling is that she seems to lack concrete evidence.’

In a conversation with DailyMail.com, lawyers Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb for Lively stated that the updated lawsuit against Baldoni offers substantial new proof and confirmation of her initial accusations.

They mentioned that it encompasses hitherto unshared conversations between Lively, Sony Pictures, Baldoni’s production company Wayfarer Studios, and several other witnesses.

It’s said that the revised complaint now features an additional allegation of defamation against Baldoni, a claim that wasn’t originally included in the initial filing made on New Year’s Eve.

As stated by Hudson and Gottlieb, Lively has initiated a lawsuit alleging defamation due to the continuous untrue claims made against her since she initially filed her complaint.

Additionally, she’s broadened her grievance to include Jed Wallace and the Texas-based crisis management firm, Street Relations, Inc., as defendants in the case.

Previously, Wallace, who denies involvement in a negative campaign against the actor Ed Westwick (known for playing Chuck Bass in Gossip Girl), filed a $7 million lawsuit as a counteraction to Lively’s initial claim that his firm utilized a digital army to attack her, which was made on behalf of Baldoni.

In her original grievance, she asked for Wallace to be removed from his position (deposed). However, as stated in a lawsuit filed earlier in February, this request was subsequently withdrawn.

Lively’s new filing alleges that others on the set of It Ends With Us can corroborate her claims. 

The argument suggests that the false story constructed by Baldoni and his fellow defendants weakens significantly when faced with the undeniable fact that the actress was not the only one voicing complaints against Mr. Baldoni.

The filing further aims to prove that she expressed her issues promptly when they occurred in 2023, rather than in relation to any speculative maneuvering for control of the film in 2024.

As reported by a representative from Lively, the revised filing provides evidence supporting Blake’s initial claims of sexual harassment and retaliation.

It’s suggested that the document demonstrates that other women shared with Blake their unease about revealing their discomfort and apprehension regarding speaking up, as well as their worry over the ongoing harsh criticism in public.

Regardless of the ongoing legal dispute between them, there seems to be no resolution yet for Lively or Baldoni.

In January, the court set a trial date for the lawsuits in March 2026, and both parties have opted against any mediation efforts.

In the past month, as I graced the stage once more during the SNL50 anniversary special, Lively and Reynolds and I shared a moment of humor about our return to the limelight.

Or:

After making an appearance at the SNL50 anniversary special last month, Lively, Reynolds, and I found ourselves back in the spotlight and took the opportunity to lighten the mood with some playful banter.

In a part where celebrities asked questions, Reynolds subtly hinted at the ongoing legal disputes.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler set off the exchange by calling on it and asking, ‘How’s it going?’

The Deadpool actor replied nervously, clutching his hands, saying, “Terrific. So, what’s the news?

Then, she raised her gaze towards him with an excessively worried look, followed by resuming her usual cheerful smile.

Later on, insiders shared with DailyMail.com that certain guests at the SNL anniversary special felt a bit uneasy engaging in conversation with the high-profile duo.

Some manufacturers expressed apprehension that the program might be promoting Blake and Ryan excessively, as it appeared these individuals were eager to demonstrate their ongoing relevance within the Hollywood scene.

‘The team collaborated with SNL to develop the joke, but the reality is, they weren’t particularly fond of it. To some, it seemed like an attempt at quick damage control. However, the network decided to air it because they knew that the appearance would boost ratings and generate news headlines.’

They remarked: ‘Others found it odd that they made lighthearted comments given the severity of the allegations against them. It appeared as though Ryan was trying excessively hard to maintain his comedic persona, potentially at the cost of Blake’s comfort. Backstage, she seemed tense and uneasy.’

Later on, attorney Bryan Freedman criticized the joke, although it didn’t directly mention actor Justin Baldoni from Jane The Virgin.

He stated, during his interview on Hot Mics with Billy Bush, that he’s not aware of anyone who’s wife has experienced sexual harassment and has joked about such situations.

‘I can’t think of anyone who’s done anything like that. So it surprised me.’

In early February, Lively’s lawyers issued subpoenas to the mobile service providers, requesting they provide records related to her ongoing court case with Baldoni.

Ms. Lively’s legal team, Hudson and Gottlieb, informed Deadline that she has started an investigation aimed at revealing those responsible for undermining her reputation and her family, along with their strategies and actions, over the past year.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but eagerly anticipate the moment when we’ll finally lay our hands on those elusive pieces of evidence, just like Ms. Lively. These so-called “receipts,” which seem to be mysteriously missing from Mr. Freedman’s online platform, will soon find their way into the courtroom, shedding light on the allegations regarding Baldoni’s team and Lively’s behavior on the set of It Ends With Us.

In a subsequent letter addressed to U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman, Baldoni’s legal representatives expressed that the subpoenas were issued excessively or unreasonably.

In response to the question about their numerous receipts, Lively’s lawyers stated to People: “Given the number of records they possess, it seems strange that they are hesitant to present them.

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2025-03-19 00:50

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