Ryan Reynolds has expressed support for his wife Blake Lively amidst an ongoing legal battle involving Justin Baldoni.
A spokesperson for the Deadpool actor released a statement indicating that Reynolds believes he “wasn’t angry enough” in response to the situation.
Back in December 2024, Lively, 42, filed a lawsuit against co-star Baldoni, accusing him of retaliation and sexual harassment, and is seeking damages of $160 million. The trial is set to take place in New York in May 2026.
Baldoni responded with a countersuit against Lively and Reynolds, accusing them of extortion and defamation, though this action was dismissed by a judge.
Reynolds’ messages convey his strong disapproval of Baldoni, suggesting Lively “should be celebrating” and alleging that she is facing repercussions for defending herself.
In a statement shared with Puck News, Reynolds’ representative defended his involvement, stating: “Yes, Ryan got involved – what husband wouldn’t support his wife and the mother of his children?”
The statement continued: “He saw his wife fighting daily to stand up against sexual harassment in a private and respectful way, only to face retaliation for doing so. If anything, Ryan feels like he wasn’t angry enough.”
Reynolds is described as someone who strongly believes in a workplace free from harassment, supporting this cause for his wife and others. “Then, now and always,” the statement concluded.
Although Baldoni’s countersuit was dismissed, his legal team continues to assert that he has been defamed.
On January 21, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, stated: “As stated all along, and reflected in our clients’ motions, as well as in messages from Sony discussing Ms. Lively’s behaviors, the evidence does not support [Lively’s] claims as a matter of law. A simple read of the newly released message exchanges makes the truth abundantly clear. We remain confident in the legal process and clearing the names of all the Justin Baldoni parties.”
So, what were the contents of the messages?
In one message, Reynolds reportedly expressed frustration: “I’m super frustrated because this is a moment in which Blake should be celebrating. She made this unbelievable win happen. She WILLED this weekend into reality. Baldoni and these other buckets of dumb-dumb-juice should be acknowledging the speculation and gossip themselves. They should be jumping in front of it in the most full throated, unqualified way. Now.”
He allegedly continued: “I’d put Blake’s reputation on trial any day of the week. She’s worked with… dozens of other mercurial, and abusive people. In her experience (and mine) nobody has ever reached the empyrean heights of vile the way Justin Baldoni has. His complete lack of not only remorse but self-preservation is a character study in malignant, lazy-lidded stupidity and darkness.”
Lawyers for Baldoni maintain that Reynolds and Lively have used their influence to tarnish his reputation.
In the countersuit, they argued: “This is a case about two of the most powerful stars in the world deploying their enormous power to steal an entire film right out of the hands of its director and production studio.”