Justin Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman claimed Ryan Reynolds was trying to “run from the flames” after he filed a motion to be dismissed from the “Jane the Virgin” alum’s $400 million lawsuit against him and Blake Lively.
Freedman claimed Reynolds is “arrogantly asking to be dismissed from the case despite his publicly documented involvement extending far beyond just being a ‘supportive spouse,’” per a statement obtained by People Wednesday.
“Mr. Reynolds was a key player in the scheme,” Freedman continued, alleging that the “Deadpool” star’s “fingerprints have been all over this smear campaign against Justin and the Wayfarer team since day one.”
“Mr. Reynolds now attempts to reduce plainly cognizable claims to ‘hurt feelings,’ sending a clear message that bullying is acceptable,” the attorney added.
“After lighting a match, Mr. Reynolds now seeks to run from the flames. It won’t work. The Wayfarer Parties’ claims against him are real, and they are serious. Mr. Reynolds can appear on as many sketch shows as he wants and feebly try to make light of his current situation, but we will not stop until he is held accountable for his actions.”
Reps for Baldoni, Reynolds and Lively did not immediately respond to Page Six’s requests for comment.
Reynolds’ attorneys Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson filed a motion to dismiss on Tuesday, arguing that Baldoni’s defamation claims had no legal merit after he accused the “Deadpool & Wolverine” star, 48, of calling him a “predator.”
In fact, the “Proposal” actor’s legal team doubled down on the “predator” label in a statement to Page Six, saying that Reynolds has a First Amendment right to “express his opinion” of Baldoni.
“That is not defamation unless they can show that Mr. Reynolds did not believe that statement to be true,” Reynolds’ attorneys said.
“The complaint doesn’t allege that, and just the opposite, the allegations in the complaint suggest that Mr. Reynolds genuinely believes Mr. Baldoni is a predator.”
They continued, “Mr. Reynolds’ wife has accused Mr. Baldoni — privately and in multiple complaints — of sexual harassment and retaliation, and as pointed out by Mr. Reynolds’ motion, Mr. Baldoni has also openly spoken about his past of mistreating women and pushing the boundaries of consent.”
“The Court should dismiss the defamation claim as to Mr. Reynolds with prejudice because the Predator Statements are expressions of opinion that deserve ‘absolute protection’ by law,” read the filing obtained by Page Six.
Meanwhile, spokesperson for Reynolds added in a separate statement, “The claims filed against Mr. Reynolds are simply a list of grievances attempting to shame Mr. Reynolds for being the man Mr. Baldoni has built his brand pretending to be, a man who is ‘confident enough to listen’ to the woman in his life.
“We look forward to this lawsuit being dismissed…”
Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit against Reynolds, Lively and their publicist, Leslie Sloane, in January.
In the lawsuit, the “It Ends With Us” director, 41, claimed Reynolds told a talent agent at WME that he was a “sexual predator.”
Baldoni claimed the interaction took place at the “Deadpool & Wolverine” premiere in July 2024, alleging that Reynolds “demanded that the agent ‘drop’ him.”
The talent agency cut ties with Baldoni in December 2024 after Lively filed a complaint accusing him of sexual harassment on the set of “It Ends With Us.”
However, WME denied being pressured by Reynolds to do so and claimed that Baldoni’s rep was not even present at the July movie premiere.
Baldoni and Lively are set to go to trial in March 2026.
She filed a formal lawsuit against him for alleged sexual harassment and retaliation, claiming he orchestrated a coordinated smear campaign to damage her reputation.
Baldoni has denied the allegations.
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