In an escalating legal dispute, Justin Baldoni is requesting communications and documents related to the character Nicepool from Ryan Reynolds' film "Deadpool & Wolverine." This move aims to demonstrate that the character was used to bully Baldoni. The director-actor's legal team has sent a litigation hold letter to Marvel Studios and Disney executives, seeking any materials connected to the development of Nicepool. Additionally, Baldoni faces accusations of sexual harassment and retaliation from costar Blake Lively. Lively alleges that Baldoni criticized her body and weight after she gave birth to her fourth child. Baldoni denies these claims and plans to sue Lively and others, including filing a lawsuit against The New York Times for its coverage of the case.
Baldoni's Legal Strategy Unfolds
Baldoni's legal team is gathering evidence to support their client's allegations that the Nicepool character was designed to mock him. They have formally requested all documents and communications involving the creation and portrayal of Nicepool from key figures in the entertainment industry. This includes detailed records of the character's development, writing, and filming. Baldoni's lawyers believe that these documents will provide crucial evidence to substantiate their claims of harassment and ridicule through the character. Moreover, they seek any material that reflects deliberate attempts to intimidate or embarrass Baldoni.
The litigation hold letter, sent to Kevin Feige and Bob Iger, demands the preservation of any documents related to Nicepool. These documents could include emails, scripts, and production notes. The character, played by Reynolds, is described as a feminist with a man bun who makes comments about women's bodies. Baldoni's podcast, which discusses modern masculinity, may also be linked to the character's portrayal. His co-host Liz Plank left the podcast following Lively's complaint, adding another layer to the controversy. Baldoni's lawyer Brian Freedman has publicly stated that there is no doubt Nicepool is meant to represent Baldoni, further intensifying the legal battle.
Lively's Allegations and Industry Reactions
Blake Lively has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation, alleging that he found back-channel ways to criticize her body and weight after giving birth. Lively's complaint details incidents where Baldoni allegedly entered her trailer uninvited while she was undressed and improvised physical intimacy without prior discussion. Her legal team emphasizes that this is not a simple feud but a serious issue of misconduct on set. The allegations have sparked significant media attention and industry reactions, with some parties distancing themselves from Baldoni.
Lively's lawyers maintain that nothing about Baldoni's lawsuit changes the validity of her claims. They assert that Wayfarer Studios engaged in unlawful retaliatory actions against Lively for trying to protect herself and others on set. Meanwhile, Baldoni has been dropped by his agency WME, though the agency denies that Reynolds pressured them to do so. Baldoni's legal strategy includes suing Lively and others, as well as challenging The New York Times' reporting on the case. The ongoing legal saga highlights the complexities and high stakes involved in Hollywood disputes.