Ryan Reynolds’ representative addressed recent discussions concerning his unsealed text messages related to the Blake Lively legal battle against Justin Baldoni. The statement, released on January 27, emphasized Reynolds’ support for his wife and her fight for a harassment-free workplace, highlighting his frustration with the situation.
“Yes, Ryan got involved — what husband wouldn’t support his wife and the mother of his children?”
the statement noted. It went on,
“He saw his wife fighting daily to stand up against sexual harassment in a private and respectful way, only to face retaliation for doing so.”
Further, Reynolds reportedly feels that his response fell short, saying,
“If anything, Ryan feels like he wasn’t angry enough. He passionately believes in and will stand up for the basic right to a safe workplace free of harassment and retaliation for his wife and others. Then, now and always.”
Newly Unsealed Documents Reveal Intense Exchanges Between Parties
Last week’s unsealing of court documents unveiled private messages and emails exchanged between Reynolds, Lively, Baldoni, and others involved in the case. These messages cast new light on the tensions during the filming of It Ends With Us, the project at the center of the dispute.
One revealing detail showed Reynolds reaching out to actor Matt Damon and his wife, Luciana Barroso, seeking their perspective on Lively’s version of the movie while tensions with Baldoni peaked. In the group chat dated May 2024, Reynolds labeled Baldoni a “malignantly vein, sociopathic FAUXminist” and invited Damon and Barroso to a private family screening, adding,
“No worries either way. We’d LOVE to get your well earned pov,”
and welcoming their daughters to attend.
Reynolds also alluded to the ongoing conflict between Lively and Baldoni during production with a sarcastic remark:
“One day, we’ll make a movie about the movie. And we can’t wait to tell you all about it. The stories are already finding their place in the pantheon of legendary Hollywood Insanity.”
Blake Lively Describes Difficult Experience on Set
In the same message exchanges, Blake Lively shared her struggles working with Baldoni, describing the ordeal with sharp candor. She claimed the project “nearly killed me” and criticized Baldoni’s multiple roles on set—director, costar, producer, financier, and studio head—as detrimental, stating,
“The director/costar/producer/financier/head of the studio (yes all one person) had zero experience, but the good news is he also has no taste and an enormous ego, but only because he’s in a cult and believes he’s our century’s prophet. I wish even one of these things was hyperbole.”
Reynolds further mocked Baldoni in a letter to Colleen Hoover, author of the novel It Ends With Us, joking that Hoover’s ill health might be due to
“your body ridding itself of any residual Baldoni,”
followed by,
“I’d rather be puking in a gulag than hijacking performative feminism while practicing personal growth catch phrases in the mirror.”
Legal Teams Respond After Evidence Surfaces
Following the release of these messages, Lively’s legal team highlighted newly uncovered testimonies and documents supporting her harassment claims. They stated that only Lively’s claims remain active as a prior countersuit filed by Wayfarer against her was dismissed last June.
“The newly unsealed evidence contains never-before seen testimony, messages, and evidence from numerous eyewitnesses backing the claims in Ms. Lively’s lawsuit,”
her team said. They detailed how the evidence documented Lively’s and others’ concerns about sexual harassment in real-time starting as early as spring 2023, and insisted Wayfarer failed to investigate these complaints, instead attempting to “bury” those who spoke up through retaliation.
Meanwhile, Baldoni’s legal representatives issued a counterstatement asserting their confidence that the evidence disproves the allegations. Their message declared,
“As stated all along, and reflected in our clients motions, as well as in messages from Sony discussing Ms. Lively’s behaviors, the evidence does not support the claims as a matter of law. A simple read of the newly released message exchanges make the truth abundantly clear. We remain confident in the legal process and clearing the names of all the Justin Baldoni parties.”
Background and Ongoing Developments in the Case
The dispute began in December 2024 when Blake Lively accused her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her. Baldoni has denied all accusations vehemently.
In response, Baldoni filed a countersuit against both Lively and Ryan Reynolds, though his claim was dismissed in June 2025. Lively’s lawsuit is currently active and set for trial in May, with recent court appearances showing Baldoni’s attorneys requesting dismissal of her case following the unsealing of key documents. Judge Lewis Liman will ultimately decide whether the trial proceeds.
Significance of the Case and What Lies Ahead
This legal battle highlights ongoing tensions regarding workplace harassment in Hollywood, with high-profile figures like Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds supporting calls for accountability. The revelations from private messages have intensified public scrutiny as the trial date approaches.
How Judge Liman rules on the pending dismissal will significantly impact both parties and possibly set precedents for future claims within the entertainment industry. Meanwhile, the involvement of major stars and detailed communications underscores the personal and professional stakes embedded in this contentious case.
