Ryan Reynolds isn’t backing down from his support of wife Blake Lively as her legal battle with Justin Baldoni intensifies.
Private text messages from the Deadpool star have surfaced in court documents, revealing his fierce defense of Lively during the It Ends With Us drama.
A representative for Reynolds issued a statement explaining why the actor became involved in what has become one of Hollywood’s most contentious disputes.
The newly unsealed messages paint a picture of a husband watching his wife navigate alleged workplace harassment while simultaneously celebrating a box office triumph.
Standing By His Wife “Then, Now and Always”
Reynolds’ representative made it clear to Puck News that the actor has no regrets about defending Lively.
Yes, Ryan got involved — what husband wouldn’t support his wife and the mother of his children?
The statement continued with even stronger language about what Reynolds witnessed during production and promotion of It Ends With Us.
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.
Perhaps most striking was the rep’s assertion that Reynolds believes he wasn’t angry enough about the situation. The actor “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.”
Text Messages Reveal Reynolds’ Frustration
According to PEOPLE, Reynolds sent messages to his WME agent Warren Zavala in August 2024, right as It Ends With Us was dominating the box office despite swirling rumors of behind-the-scenes tension.
His frustration was palpable in the texts, which focused on how Lively’s achievement was being overshadowed.
I’m super frustrated because this is a moment in which Blake should be celebrating. She made this unbelievable win happen. She WILLED this weekend into reality.
Reynolds didn’t hold back when discussing Baldoni and his team, allegedly referring to them as “buckets of dumb-dumb-juice” who should have been “acknowledging the speculation and gossip themselves.”
Defending Against a Damaging Narrative
Reynolds’ texts revealed concern about how Lively was being portrayed publicly. He allegedly stated that Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios had “made a big f—ing mess.”
His message emphasized that Lively “should not be subjected to some eye-roll-y narrative of the ‘controlling bitch'” — a reference to gendered stereotypes often used against women who speak up in professional settings.
Stronger Language in Earlier Messages
Additional unsealed texts from July 2024 showed Reynolds communicating with WME executives about Baldoni using even harsher terms.
The actor allegedly called Baldoni a “thoroughbred, predatory fraudster” and an “inexplicably toxic mess,” among other descriptions that painted Baldoni in an extremely negative light.
Baldoni’s Legal Team Responds
Bryan Freedman, attorney for Baldoni, told Entertainment Weekly that his client’s side tells a different story entirely.
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.
Freedman added that “a simple read of the newly released message exchanges makes the truth abundantly clear” and expressed confidence in clearing Baldoni’s name through legal proceedings.
Background: How This Legal Battle Began
Lively filed a complaint with California’s Civil Rights Department in December 2024, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment on set during It Ends With Us production.
Her complaint went further, alleging that Baldoni orchestrated a coordinated smear campaign against her reputation earlier in 2024.
Shortly after filing with California authorities, Lively escalated by filing a federal lawsuit in New York against both Baldoni personally and his production company, Wayfarer Studios.
Workplace Harassment Takes Center Stage
Reynolds’ involvement highlights broader conversations about workplace safety and speaking up against harassment, particularly in entertainment industry settings where power dynamics can complicate matters.
His public statement through his representative emphasizes that this isn’t just about defending his wife — it’s about standing up for basic workplace rights that should protect everyone.
The unsealed documents show Reynolds advocating for Lively behind the scenes while she attempted to handle matters “in a private and respectful way” before the situation became public.
What Happens Next
Both sides have expressed confidence in legal proceedings moving forward. More documents may be unsealed as discovery continues in both California and New York courts.
The case has already drawn significant attention to questions about how allegations of harassment are handled in Hollywood productions, particularly when they involve high-profile talent both in front of and behind cameras.
For Reynolds, his position remains clear: supporting Lively was never a question, and he believes strongly in her right to work without facing harassment or retaliation for speaking up about it.