Ryan Reynolds has made a rare public comment regarding the ongoing legal drama involving his wife, Blake Lively, and actor-director Justin Baldoni. The Deadpool star addressed the controversy during an interview at the TIME100 Companies event, where he discussed how integrity and accountability shape his approach to both business and personal life.
The high-profile lawsuit was first filed in January 2025, when Baldoni launched a $400 million civil suit against Reynolds and Lively, accusing the couple of defamation and civil extortion. However, in June, a judge dismissed the lawsuit, significantly altering the legal landscape of the case.
Despite the dismissal, a separate legal dispute between the It Ends with Us co-stars is set to go to trial on March 9, 2026. Speaking broadly about public scrutiny and professional ethics, Reynolds said, “Accessibility and accountability are a big part of how I do things.”
He emphasized that his values remain consistent across all his ventures, which include co-ownership of Wrexham A.F.C. and partnerships with Aviation American Gin, Mint Mobile, and his production company, Maximum Effort. “The people that I work with know me, so there’s never a question of anything like that,” he said, subtly referencing the allegations.
“If you operate with some degree of core values and integrity, they’re going to help you up. If you’re an a, they’re not. And that’s pretty simple,” Reynolds added, making his stance on personal and professional conduct crystal clear. He went on to reflect on the duality of public perception in today’s media landscape.
“I can read something that says, ‘He should be drawn and quartered.’ I could read something that says I should win a Nobel Prize. Both are meaningless.” Offering a philosophical conclusion, the actor noted, “None of us is comprised of our best moments. None of us is defined by our worst moments. We are something in the middle.”
While Reynolds carefully avoided mentioning Baldoni or the lawsuit directly, his comments appear to be a subtle response to the public fallout surrounding the legal battle. The rare acknowledgment comes at a time when both his and Lively’s public image continues to attract attention, not just for their Hollywood careers, but also for their growing presence in business and philanthropy.
As the March 2026 trial approaches, all eyes will remain on how the dispute unfolds, but Reynolds’ recent remarks make clear that he plans to stay grounded in his principles, no matter the headlines.