Amidst a contentious legal battle involving his wife Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, Ryan Reynolds has taken a firm stand by filing a motion to dismiss allegations made against him. On March 18, 2025, Reynolds’ legal team submitted this motion, asserting that Baldoni’s claims of emotional distress from being labeled a “predator”are baseless.
Legal Context of the Motion to Dismiss
The motion, reported by Variety, highlights the legal perspective that Reynolds’ statement is protected under the First Amendment. Specifically, his attorneys argued:
“[The] allegations suggest that Mr. Reynolds genuinely, perhaps passionately, believes that Mr. Baldoni’s behavior is reflective of a ‘predator…’ [T]he law establishes that calling someone a ‘predator’ amounts to constitutionally protected opinion… While Mr. Baldoni ‘may not appreciate being called’ a predator, those hurt feelings do not give rise to legal claims.”
Backstory of the Legal Dispute
This motion to dismiss follows Baldoni’s counter-suit against Reynolds and Lively. Baldoni claims that the couple is attempting to defame him through false allegations of sexual harassment that occurred on the set of *It Ends With Us*. He further alleges that Reynolds pressured his agency, WME, to sever ties with him.
Arguments Made in Defense of Reynolds
In support of Reynolds, his legal team emphasized that his comment about Baldoni being a “predator”is not only constitutionally protected but is also “substantially true.”They argued that Reynolds has the right to express strong opinions regarding someone he believes sexually harassed his wife.
Moreover, Reynolds’ legal representatives accused Baldoni of attempting to shame their client, suggesting that Reynolds is merely striving to be a supportive husband. They pointed out Baldoni’s own previous admissions regarding crossing boundaries with women, highlighting a contradiction in his current legal actions.
Admission of Crossing Boundaries
The motion references remarks Baldoni made during various podcast appearances, where he confessed to “crossing boundaries”in his younger years due to issues related to pornography. Though the specific podcasts are not named, they are pertinent to Lively’s lawsuit, which describes an incident where Baldoni implied he did not always seek consent.
“Did I always ask for consent? No. Did I always listen when they said no? No.”
Concerns Raised by Blake Lively
Lively’s lawsuit includes a disturbing account of a car ride involving Baldoni, her assistant, and her driver, during which Baldoni made troubling admissions. After this exchange, Lively’s driver expressed concerns about her safety, indicating a reluctance for her to be alone with Baldoni in the future.
A Point of Irony
Additionally, Reynolds’ attorney pointed out a notable irony: Baldoni has built a personal brand around candid discussions of his past behavior and its consequences. This raises questions about why he would sue Reynolds for merely voicing what Baldoni has openly spoken about in the past.
Looking Ahead
The upcoming trial involving Lively and Baldoni is set for March 2026, and it promises to bring further developments in this escalating legal saga.
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