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This case is turning into a major legal battle. Ryan Reynolds is pushing back hard against Justin Baldoni’s lawsuit, arguing that it has no real basis for defamation.
According to court documents obtained by Us Weekly, Reynolds is asking for the lawsuit to be dismissed, stating that Baldoni hasn’t actually pointed to any specific instance where Reynolds made a false and defamatory statement. The lawsuit revolves around claims that Reynolds allegedly called Baldoni a “predator,” but Reynolds’ legal team argues that for defamation to hold up, the statement must be demonstrably false—and the complaint doesn’t establish that.
His attorneys, Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, laid out a key argument: even if Reynolds did privately call Baldoni a predator, that alone isn’t defamation unless it can be proven that Reynolds knew the statement was false when he said it. They pointed out that Baldoni has faced multiple accusations of sexual harassment, including complaints from Reynolds’ wife, Blake Lively.
They further argued that Baldoni himself has publicly admitted to past misconduct and inappropriate behavior, which undermines his claim that Reynolds’ alleged statements were false. Because of this, Reynolds’ attorneys insist his remarks are protected under the First Amendment.
A spokesperson for Reynolds didn’t hold back, calling Baldoni’s lawsuit a personal attack aimed at damaging Reynolds’ character. They also pointed out that Baldoni has built a public image as an advocate for women—an image that contradicts the allegations against him.
Reynolds’ team is confident that the case will be dismissed and even plans to go after Baldoni for legal fees. They also referenced investor Steve Sarowitz’s $100 million pledge, which appears to be tied to the case, suggesting financial motives at play.
This lawsuit stems from a larger controversy: in December 2024, Blake Lively sued Baldoni over sexual harassment allegations. Baldoni fired back in January 2025 with a massive $400 million countersuit against Lively, Reynolds, and Lively’s publicist, accusing them of civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy.
It’s shaping up to be a high-profile and messy legal showdown.