• Ryan Reynolds faces accusations of mocking Justin Baldoni in his latest film, 'Deadpool & Wolverine.'
• Baldoni’s lawyer is pursuing legal actions against Disney and Marvel for preserving documents related to the case.
• The controversy ties back to allegations made by Blake Lively against Baldoni, claiming harassment on set.
• Baldoni's attorney argues that Reynolds' character "Nicepool" is a deliberate mockery.
• Reynolds has not yet publicly responded to the claims made by Baldoni’s camp.

In a developing story, Ryan Reynolds finds himself embroiled in legal troubles amid a brewing feud involving his wife, Blake Lively, and actor Justin Baldoni. Allegations have arisen that characters in the newly released film Deadpool & Wolverine include scenes designed to mock Baldoni, raising serious questions about the portrayal of his character, Nicepool. According to Forbes, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, claims that the character bears an uncanny resemblance to Baldoni, who previously sported a similar hairstyle, known as a “man bun.” In a controversial scene, Nicepool discusses Lively's character while adopting humor that Baldoni’s camp argues is demeaning.

On January 7, Freedman addressed Disney CEO Bob Iger and Marvel president Kevin Feige in a litigation hold letter, demanding the preservation of documents related to the development of Nicepool and any communications that suggest a deliberate attempt to ridicule Baldoni. The allegations suggest that this portrayal aligns with Baldoni’s ongoing legal dispute involving harassment claims made by Lively during their collaboration on the film It Ends With Us, where Lively accused Baldoni of fat-shaming and engaging in inappropriate behavior on set (reported by HuffPost).

Freedman has taken to the media to elaborate on the gravity of the situation, noting that “if your wife is sexually harassed, you don’t make fun of Justin Baldoni.” He emphasized that the intent behind the jokes is evident and must be taken seriously, particularly given the sensitive nature of Lively’s allegations against Baldoni.

The core of the dialogue centers around a clip from the film where Nicepool, played by Reynolds, says, “Oh my goodness, wait until you see Ladypool. She is gorgeous. She just had a baby, too, you can’t even tell,” a remark that Baldoni's representatives have characterized as a blatant jibe at him. Freedman argues that the connections drawn between the characters, particularly in the context of such serious allegations, illustrate a challenging confrontation between humor and accountability in Hollywood (details shared in an interview on The Megyn Kelly Show).

This saga highlights the entanglements of personal relationships in the entertainment industry, as Baldoni continues his legal battles that now extend to allegations against the major players in the film and entertainment landscape. As both sides of this conflict unfold publicly, the implications for the parties involved remain to be seen. Lively's allegations against Baldoni are serious, and the response of Reynolds and the production companies could set precedents regarding workplace conduct, humor, and legal liability in the film industry.

For more insights on this evolving narrative, visit the original reports from The Daily Beast, HuffPost, and Variety.