The legal battle between It Ends With Us actor Justin Baldoni and Hollywood power couple Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively is intensifying, with Baldoni’s attorneys strongly opposing Reynolds’ attempt to be dismissed from the ongoing lawsuit.
According to court documents obtained by Us Weekly on April 3, Baldoni’s legal team claims Reynolds is downplaying his alleged role in the matter and should not be removed from the case.
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“Ryan Reynolds pretends that the Wayfarer Parties’ First Amended Complaint (the ‘FAC’) fails to set forth any basis for his liability and that he merely acted as a supportive spouse. Not so,” the filing argues.
The attorneys further assert that Reynolds is not just a bystander in the situation. “The FAC specifically alleges ample facts to support the Wayfarer Parties’ claims against him, based on both his direct actions and his liability as a co-conspirator,” they added.
In addition, Baldoni’s legal team stated that if Reynolds’ motion to dismiss is granted, he should not be entitled to recover attorneys’ fees.
Reynolds’ spokesperson swiftly responded to the opposition, calling attention to what they argue are fundamental flaws in the lawsuit. “The main takeaway from the Wayfarer Parties’ opposition to Ryan’s motion to dismiss their case is that they finally realize the plain defects in their complaint,” the statement read.
“They once again claim defamation without alleging who was defamed, what specifically was said, or how anyone suffered actual harm,” the spokesperson continued.
The response took a pointed swipe at Baldoni, saying, “Unlike Mr. Baldoni, who built his brand pretending to be a man who is ‘confident enough to listen’ to the women in his life, Ryan Reynolds actually is that man and he will continue to support his wife as she stands up to the individuals who not only harassed her but then have retaliated against her.”
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It concluded by noting that the suit may backfire legally: “This lawsuit not only fails but may result in the Wayfarer Parties covering Ryan’s costs and attorneys’ fees for bringing such a frivolous case in the first place.”
The legal dispute began in December 2024 when Blake Lively filed a complaint accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and claiming he launched a smear campaign against her. With both sides digging in, the high-profile case shows no signs of cooling down.
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