Justin Baldoni’s Legal Battle with Ryan Reynolds
Attorney Bryan Freedman, representing Justin Baldoni, criticized Ryan Reynolds’s request to dismiss a $400 million lawsuit filed against him and his wife, Blake Lively. Reynolds asserted in court on Tuesday that Baldoni’s claims, which include accusations of him mocking Baldoni’s character “Nicepool” in Deadpool, stem from “hurt feelings,” which he believes are insufficient grounds for a lawsuit.
Reynolds’s Defense
In his motion to dismiss, Reynolds contended that he shouldn’t be involved in Baldoni’s legal dispute against Lively regarding alleged sexual harassment and retaliation. He questioned the relevance of his role, stating that he was merely a supportive spouse who witnessed Lively’s struggles. His legal team emphasized that Reynolds’s comments about Baldoni could not be considered defamatory if he genuinely believed them to be true. However, a legal expert shared that Reynolds’s dismissal from the case seems improbable at this stage.
Baldoni’s Allegations Against Reynolds
Baldoni alleged that he was dropped by his talent agency, WME, due to influence exerted by Reynolds and Lively. Freedman claimed that Reynolds had privately labeled Baldoni a sexual predator on two occasions, pointing out that Reynolds’s involvement in the situation extends beyond mere support.
Accusations of a Smear Campaign
Freedman described Reynolds’s actions as a part of a larger scheme to damage Baldoni’s reputation in Hollywood, going so far as to say, “Mr. Reynolds was a key player in the scheme, defaming Justin around Hollywood.” He suggested that Reynolds’s motion to dismiss is an attempt to downplay the serious allegations against him.
Legal Opinions and Free Speech
The legal representatives for Reynolds argued that Baldoni’s claims are primarily based on Reynolds’s alleged private comments, and there isn’t sufficient basis for defamation unless it’s proven that Reynolds did not believe what he said. They claimed that his right to express his opinion about Baldoni is constitutionally protected.
Potential Outcomes
Legal expert Chris Melcher noted that while it is unlikely for Reynolds to be dismissed from the lawsuit at this point, Baldoni might need to revise his complaint to provide greater detail. Melcher explained that if Baldoni’s allegations are solid enough, they could form the basis for a legal claim against Reynolds.
Statement from Reynolds’s Representation
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The claims filed against Mr. Reynolds are simply a list of grievances attempting to shame Mr. Reynolds for being the man Mr. Baldoni has built his brand pretending to be. We look forward to this lawsuit being dismissed and to collecting on Steve Sarowitz’s $100 million pledge by recovering Mr. Reynolds’s costs and attorneys’ fees incurred to toss this frivolous case.”
