Ryan Reynolds finds himself swept into a turbulent cycle of drama involving ongoing marriage rumors and significant Deadpool franchise controversy, putting his reputation under the Hollywood spotlight once more. The latest developments in the Ryan Reynolds controversies marriage rumors and Deadpool drama are testing both his public image and the strength of his professional relationships within the industry.
An Unconventional Persona in the Limelight
Known for his irreverent humor and unfiltered social media presence, Ryan Reynolds has long stood apart from the typical Hollywood celebrity. His ability to keep audiences entertained, even when poking fun at his own family, has made him a fan favorite over the years. When his daughter was just six months old, Reynolds wrote with irony,
“My daughter’s only 6 months old and already drawing. I’d hang it on the fridge but honestly, it’s absolute garbage.”
—Ryan Reynolds, Actor. Moments like these on social platforms and interviews, such as his playful banter with Hugh Jackman in 2016, helped shape his reputation as both relatable and witty, contrasting with the guarded nature of many Hollywood peers.
The Backlash Over a Plantation Wedding
The relationship between Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively often captivated fans, but serious controversy emerged when details surfaced that their 2012 wedding took place at Boone Hall Plantation, a venue associated with a painful history of slavery. In 2020, Reynolds publicly addressed the issue, calling their choice a “giant f***ing mistake.” He reflected,
“What we saw at the time was a wedding venue on Pinterest. What we saw after was a place built upon devastating tragedy.”
—Ryan Reynolds, Actor. Apologies and donations to organizations like the NAACP Legal Defense Fund followed, providing some measure of reconciliation, but the episode left a permanent mark on Reynolds’ public narrative and led to continued skepticism from some members of the public and media.
Deadpool Franchise and Justin Baldoni: Legal Firestorm
Legal disputes have flared between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, director of her 2024 film “It Ends With Us.” In court filings, Lively accused Baldoni of
“invasive, unprofessional and sexually inappropriate behavior”
on set, accusations that Baldoni’s legal representatives have firmly denied. The situation intensified in January 2025, when Baldoni filed a massive $400 million lawsuit against both Lively and Reynolds. Central to Baldoni’s claim was the allegation that Reynolds mocked him in the newly released “Deadpool & Wolverine” through the creation of the character Nicepool—a supposed caricature directed at Baldoni.
Baldoni’s team asserted that Nicepool was characterized as
“a vicious caricature of a ‘woke’ feminist,”
and, in the film, the character is dismissed in a manner resembling Baldoni’s distinct man-bun hairstyle. Further, the timing of the Nicepool character’s inclusion in the script, occurring just after a contentious conversation between the couples, heightened suspicions. However, Reynolds sought dismissal from the suit, with his camp maintaining that Baldoni’s claims had no legal basis and were instead rooted in “hurt feelings.”
Accusations of Being Difficult On Set
After contributing heavily to the inaugural Deadpool film‘s success, director Tim Miller’s departure from the sequel in 2018 came as a shock to dedicated fans. He later revealed in a 2019 interview that Reynolds’ desire for creative dominance forced him out, indicating that debating creative control with the actor left him feeling “wast[ed] energy,” as Reynolds’ influence over the franchise was insurmountable. Similar challenges reportedly plagued other projects as well.
Former co-star TJ Miller, following his own departure from the franchise amid unrelated controversy, called Reynolds “horrifically mean” and recounted,
“He was like, ‘You know what’s great about you, Weasel? You’re not the star, but you do just enough exposition that it’s funny, and then we can leave and get back to the real movie.’”
—TJ Miller, Actor. These remarks reflect growing accounts of difficulty working with Reynolds, with additional criticism from Matthew Lawrence over their time filming the 2000 movie “Boltneck,” where Lawrence claimed Reynolds clashed with directors and producers regarding his comedic choices.
Rumors and Speculation Around Reynolds and Lively’s Marriage
The marriage between Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively remains a major subject of media fascination and rumor, particularly regarding persistent speculation about the couple’s stability. Despite frequent predictions of impending divorce, both have consistently responded with trademark sarcasm on social media. When a gossip post suggested their schedules were straining their marriage in 2015, Reynolds retorted,
“I wish. I could use a little ‘me time.’”
—Ryan Reynolds, Actor. Lively, too, used humor to dismiss rumors about separation in 2024, responding on Instagram Stories with the remark “haha they wish” and a laughing emoji.
Nevertheless, observers including Reddit users have scrutinized public appearances for perceived signs of trouble, such as interactions at the premiere of “Another Simple Favor.” In response, body language analyst Traci Brown countered these accusations, stating,
“Look how when they do stand together for the shot they’re glued down the middle. That’s what to look for to find a couple who’s doing well together. They have it.”
—Traci Brown, CSP, Behavior Analyst. Despite the continual defense from Reynolds and Lively and experts like Brown, the persistence of such rumors keeps the question open about the real state of their relationship.
Allegations of Infidelity: The Scarlett Johansson Connection
Speculation regarding Ryan Reynolds’ fidelity has occasionally surfaced, most notably rumors that his relationship with Blake Lively may have begun while he was still married to Scarlett Johansson. These claims gained renewed attention in August 2024 when journalist and author Cat Marnell alluded on social media that Reynolds and Lively became romantically involved as early as 2011 during “Green Lantern” filming. Despite suggestions that press coverage of any potential affair was suppressed, Reynolds has maintained that their relationship only turned romantic about a year after filming, following a platonic double date.
Neither party has directly addressed the allegations, but public statements suggest Reynolds’ split with Johansson was amicable. Yet, Johansson’s comments to Marie Claire in 2013 offer intriguing context, as she once said,
“I don’t mind the occasional check-in, but when somebody is passive-aggressively jealous, it’s really unattractive because it shows a sort of insecurity.”
—Scarlett Johansson, Actress. Although not directly referencing Reynolds, the remark fuels continued speculation about underlying issues in their past marriage.
Tensions With Taylor Swift and Celebrity Friends
Friendships within the Hollywood elite have not escaped the fallout from ongoing legal disputes. In May 2025, Taylor Swift was subpoenaed as a potential witness in Justin Baldoni’s litigation against Reynolds and Lively. The situation escalated when it was revealed that Lively had dubbed Swift a “dragon” and herself as Daenerys Targaryen in text messages, alluding to Swift’s perceived influence and loyalty.
A representative for Swift quickly dismissed the subpoena as merely a publicity tactic for the case, and a source close to her confirmed,
“Taylor wants no part in this drama.”
—Anonymous, Swift confidant. While some sources described the longtime friendship between Swift and the Reynolds-Lively couple as halted, others insisted that they were only taking time apart and that the relationship was not completely severed. Additional intrigue arose when Swift’s partner, Travis Kelce, reportedly unfollowed Reynolds on Instagram, and Reynolds stoked further rumors by sidestepping questions about the state of his relationship with Kelce at a recent public event.
The Lasting Impact of Reynolds’ Hollywood Controversies
As Ryan Reynolds navigates the converging challenges of marital speculation, Deadpool franchise disputes, and public falling-outs with influential friends, the stakes for his public image and ongoing projects continue to rise. While his wit and humor have long served as armor against criticism, the increasing frequency and seriousness of the allegations demand more substantial responses from the actor. The lasting effect on his reputation, relationships, and box office standing remains uncertain, but the spotlight on the Ryan Reynolds controversies marriage rumors and Deadpool drama shows no signs of dimming in Hollywood. Observers will no doubt continue to track the story as it develops, waiting to see whether Reynolds can overcome this wave of adversity.
