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Justin Baldoni Challenges Ryan Reynolds’ Bid to Dismiss Lawsuit Amidst Defamation Claims
Justin Baldoni is reportedly contesting Ryan Reynolds‘ attempt to dismiss a lawsuit, asserting that there are grounds for his legal action to proceed. The ongoing legal dispute involves accusations of defamation and counter-arguments regarding alleged harassment, making headlines in entertainment news.
Baldoni’s Legal Team Argues Against Dismissal
According to recently obtained court filings, Justin Baldoni‘s legal representatives have submitted documents arguing against Ryan Reynolds‘ motion to dismiss. The legal team contends that Reynolds “asserts” – falsely, according to Baldoni – that the amended complaint from Wayfarer Parties lacks a foundation for holding him accountable. They argue against Reynolds portrayed role as simply a “supportive spouse.”
The court documents, reviewed by Us Weekly on Thursday, April 3rd, elaborate on Baldoni’s team’s position. The filing states that the “FAC” (First Amended Complaint) provides “sufficient evidence” to substantiate claims against Reynolds, citing both his “direct actions” and his alleged involvement as a “co-conspirator.”
Furthermore, Baldoni’s attorneys assert that should the court grant Reynolds’ dismissal request, the Deadpool actor should not be entitled to recover legal fees.
Related Legal Developments
Reynolds’ Spokesperson Responds to Baldoni’s Opposition
A representative for Ryan Reynolds issued a statement to Us Weekly addressing Baldoni’s latest legal maneuver.
“The primary takeaway from the Wayfarer Parties’ opposition to Ryan’s motion to dismiss their case is that they are now recognizing the clear weaknesses in their complaint,” the statement declared. “They are again alleging defamation but fail to specify who was defamed, what was specifically stated, or how anyone incurred actual damages.”
The statement continued, drawing a contrast between Baldoni’s public persona and Reynolds’ actions: “Unlike Mr. Baldoni, who has cultivated a public image of being a man ‘confident enough to listen’ to women, Ryan Reynolds embodies this principle in reality. He will continue to support his wife as she defends herself against individuals who not only harassed her but have subsequently retaliated against her. Legal precedents under New York, California, and federal law indicate that this lawsuit is without merit and could potentially result in the Wayfarer Parties being responsible for Ryan’s legal expenses and attorney fees for initiating such an unfounded case.”
Background of the Lively-Baldoni Legal Dispute
The legal entanglement between Baldoni, 41, and Blake Lively, 37, began in December 2024. Lively initiated legal proceedings, accusing Baldoni, her It Ends With Us colleague and director, of sexual harassment and allegedly spearheading a disinformation campaign against her.
Baldoni refuted these accusations and subsequently launched a $400 million lawsuit targeting Lively, Reynolds, and Lively’s publicist. Both Lively and Reynolds have submitted legal requests to dismiss Baldoni’s lawsuit, while the publicist has sought to be removed from the legal action.
Reynolds’ Defense Against Defamation Claim
In Reynolds’ motion for dismissal, his legal team argued that Baldoni’s lawsuit “fails to identify any specific defamatory statement” made by Reynolds.
A statement from Reynolds’ attorneys, Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, to Us Weekly, elaborated on this point: “The entirety of Mr. Baldoni’s case appears to be predicated on Mr. Reynolds allegedly privately referring to Mr. Baldoni as a ‘predator.’ However, this does not constitute defamation unless it can be demonstrated that Mr. Reynolds did not believe the statement to be truthful.”
The legal representatives added, “The complaint does not assert this lack of belief. Conversely, the allegations within the complaint suggest that Mr. Reynolds sincerely believes Mr. Baldoni is a predator. Mr. Reynolds’ wife has accused Mr. Baldoni – both privately and through formal complaints – of sexual harassment and retaliation. Furthermore, as highlighted in Mr. Reynolds’ motion, Mr. Baldoni has publicly acknowledged past instances of mistreating women and overstepping boundaries regarding consent. Mr. Reynolds is entitled to voice his perspective on Mr. Baldoni under the First Amendment, which should be reassuring to those who have frequently labeled Ms. Lively and Mr. Reynolds as ‘bullies’ and other epithets in the past year.”