Ryan Reynolds has officially fired back at Justin Baldoni over the ongoing legal feud surrounding It Ends With Us and the fallout that followed. But a particular bone of contention in this case reared its head in a new way. In a newly filed motion to dismiss, Reynolds’ legal team specifically addressed Baldoni’s complaints regarding the satirical “Nicepool” character from Deadpool & Wolverine—a character Baldoni claims was designed to mock his public image as a self-styled male feminist.
And based on Reynolds’ legal arguments, it’s clear the actor isn’t confirming or denying that the character was based on Baldoni while standing firm on his First Amendment right to parody.
Justin Baldoni in the film It Ends With Us – YouTube, Sony Pictures Entertainment
For those following the Hollywood drama, the inclusion of “Nicepool” quickly drew attention after the release of the Deadpool sequel. The character’s overly virtuous, awkward demeanor appeared to parody “woke male feminists”—and Baldoni wasted no time alleging the character was a direct attack on him, part of a broader campaign by Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively to destroy his career.
According to Baldoni, “Nicepool” was yet another piece of the puzzle meant to discredit him after Lively accused Baldoni of inappropriate on-set behavior.
In his motion to dismiss, Reynolds doesn’t deny the character’s satirical nature. In fact, his lawyers make it plain that Baldoni’s outrage over Nicepool is, in their words, nothing more than “thin-skinned” and legally irrelevant. Reynolds’ team argues that parodying Baldoni’s public persona—even if done unflatteringly—is constitutionally protected free speech. They contend that Baldoni’s complaint amounts to little more than “hurt feelings,” which does not give rise to actionable defamation or any other legal claims.
More strikingly, Reynolds’ attorneys underline the fact that Baldoni has made a career out of publicly branding himself as a male feminist and advocate. His books, podcasts, and TED Talks focus heavily on challenging masculinity norms. Reynolds’ legal team argues that when a public figure voluntarily crafts such a public image, they open themselves up to parody and criticism—especially from satirical media like the Deadpool films. In essence, Reynolds’ defense boils down to the principle that satire, no matter how biting, is not grounds for a multimillion-dollar lawsuit.
The end of Nicepool in Deadpool & Wolverine – Disney+
The motion also notes that Baldoni’s legal filings never establish any actual damages stemming from the Nicepool character. While Baldoni alleges reputational harm and emotional distress, Reynolds’ lawyers point out that parody, especially in the context of a clearly fictional superhero film, does not meet the legal threshold for defamation or personal harm.
Interestingly, the motion makes a point to separate Reynolds’ support for Blake Lively’s allegations about Baldoni’s conduct on set from the satirical nature of Nicepool. According to Reynolds’ team, the character was not part of any coordinated campaign, but rather a creative decision made independently within the broader, irreverent tone of the Deadpool franchise.
Baldoni’s attorney, however, remains undeterred. In a statement following the motion to dismiss, Bryan Freedman accused Reynolds of continuing to use his Hollywood influence to “bully” Baldoni and the Wayfarer Studios team, suggesting that Reynolds’ public mockery has real-world consequences beyond satire.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in the film It Ends With Us – YouTube, Sony Pictures Entertainment
“Mr. Reynolds can appear on as many sketch shows as he wants and feebly try to make light of his current situation,” Freedman said, “but we will not stop until he is held accountable for his actions.”
As the legal battle intensifies, the Nicepool character has become emblematic of larger cultural tensions—namely, how far parody and satire can go before crossing legal lines. For now, Reynolds seems confident that Nicepool falls squarely within the bounds of free expression, but whether the court agrees remains to be seen.
Do you think Ryan Reynolds admitted that Nicepool was based off Justin Baldoni? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
I’m certain Nicepool was a mockery of Baldoni and a pretty accurate one at that. But this isn’t just about Nicepool; it’s about Lively’s actions. Even if Nicepool is disqualified from being presented, it’s not going to help much.
I don’t doubt Baldoni is a predator in disguise because every single self-proclaimed “male feminist” has been exposed as one. But I also don’t doubt Lively is a vindictive narcissist in the same league as Amber Heard. This is about three terrible people who deserve to be mocked and ridiculed until they mercifully disappear from the public eye.
Honest thought? Both are trash. The best case scenario would be the legal battle draining them from their resources until they have nothing. Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni belong to the same trashcan.
I’m so far removed. Who gives 2 schitts about this? Honestly. I hated Deadpool but remember this this as a generalization of all puss pseudo-liberal white dudes, age 35 or below.
You know,… wimps.
Who cares beyond that?