Ryan Reynolds has found himself at the center of controversy after being accused of mocking It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni in Deadpool and Wolverine through an inside joke. Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, has claimed that Reynolds used his creative control in the films to make jokes about Baldoni, specifically referencing the Orange Is The New Black actor.
During an appearance on The Megyn Kelly Show on Tuesday, January 7, Freedman opened up about Reynolds’s alleged behavior, stating, “What Ryan Reynolds has seemingly done is use his power and influence… on Deadpool and to make fun of Justin Baldoni.”
Freedman also cast doubt on the credibility of sexual harassment claims made by Blake Lively in her lawsuit against her co-star. He expressed disbelief at Reynolds’s reaction to the situation, saying, “What I make of that is that if your wife is sexually harassed, you don’t make fun of Justin Baldoni; you don’t make fun of the situation—you take it very seriously.”
The lawyer emphasized that, instead of adhering to a legal process, Reynolds chose to mock Baldoni, turning the issue into a joke. Freedman added, “If someone is sexually harassed, you don’t make fun of it – it’s a serious issue.”
The remarks come amid Baldoni’s defamation claims against Reynolds, following what he described as a calculated smear campaign. This legal drama has added a layer of tension to an already complex situation, particularly as Reynolds and Lively’s personal and professional lives continue to garner public attention.
As Reynolds’s involvement in the controversy unfolds, questions arise about the line between humor and sensitivity, especially when it comes to serious topics such as sexual harassment. The actor’s response to these claims is expected to continue to spark discussion in both legal and entertainment circles.