Ryan Reynolds claimed that calling Justin Baldoni a “predator” isn’t defamatory as he attempted to get the latter’s $400 million lawsuit against him and Blake Lively dismissed.
According to court documents obtained by Page Six Tuesday, the “Deadpool” star’s attorneys argued that his alleged “predator” statements were produced under freedom of speech.
The filing states that the comments are “plainly ‘reflective’ of Mr. Reynolds’ unabashed negative opinion of Mr. Baldoni’s character” and shows his “deep disdain” for the fellow actor.
“Mr. Reynolds has a First Amendment right to hold Mr. Baldoni— or any man who Mr. Reynolds believes sexually harassed his wife—in ‘deep disdain,’” the documents read.
“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.”
In a statement to Page Six, the Marvel star’s lawyers claimed that Baldoni’s January 2024 lawsuit is based on allegations that he called the “Jane the Virgin” star, 41, a “predator.”
“But here is the problem, that is not defamation unless they can show that Mr. Reynolds did not believe that statement to be true,” attorneys Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson told us.
“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.
“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 legal team argued that the US Constitution protects Reynolds, 48, adding that he has the “right to express his opinion of Mr. Baldoni.”
Gottlieb and Hudson also alleged the “Five Feet Apart” director should find their argument “comforting” after he “repeatedly called Ms. Lively and Mr. Reynolds ‘bullies’ and other names over the past year.”
Reps for Baldoni weren’t immediately available to Page Six for comment.
Baldoni alleged that Reynolds told his talent agency, WME, that he was a “sexual predator” in his bombshell lawsuit against him and Lively in January, per E! News.
The filmmaker claimed the incident occurred at Reynolds’ “Deadpool and Wolverine” premiere in July 2024 when the latter allegedly approached WME “and expressed his deep disdain for Baldoni, suggesting the agency was working with a ‘sexual predator.’”
Baldoni heard about the alleged interaction, including how Reynolds “demanded that the agent ‘drop’ him.”
WME denied the allegations against them and told the Hollywood Reporter there was no pressure from Reynolds nor was Baldoni’s former rep at the movie premiere.
The agency, however, dropped Baldoni in December 2024 after Lively, 37, accused him of sexual harassment on the set of their 2024 drama “It Ends With Us.”
That same month, the “Gossip Girl” alum filed a lawsuit against Baldoni and also claimed he set up a smear campaign to ruin her reputation. He has denied the allegations.
Read the full article here
