A new legal development has surfaced in the ongoing feud between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, with Justin now asking Disney and Marvel to preserve documents related to the creation of the ‘Nicepool’ character. According to Variety, Justin’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, sent a litigation hold letter to Marvel president Kevin Feige and Disney CEO Bob Iger. The letter, pertaining to Justin’s “anticipated claims” against Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, and others, demands the studios retain all documents and communications connected to the character.
Specifically, the letter requests that Marvel and Disney preserve “any and all documents relating to the development of the ‘Nicepool’ character” and any communications about the development, writing, and filming of storylines and scenes involving Nicepool. Additionally, it asks the studios to keep any documents that relate to a deliberate attempt to mock, harass, ridicule, intimidate, or bully Baldoni through the character.
Marvel, Disney, and the attorneys representing Ryan and Blake have all declined to comment on the matter.
This legal move comes amid the controversy surrounding It Ends With Us, a film released by Sony, which is not directly involved in the current legal dispute. However, Justin’s attorney claims that Ryan Reynolds, through his portrayal of ‘Nicepool’ in Deadpool & Wolverine, was mocking Justin. The character of Nicepool, an oafish version of Deadpool, was introduced in the film released by Disney in July 2024. In one scene, Nicepool delivers lines such as, “Where in God’s name is the intimacy coordinator?!” and compliments Ladypool for “snapping back” into shape after giving birth.
Blake Lively, who made a cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine, recently accused Justin of sexually harassing and fat-shaming her post-partum body on the set of It Ends With Us.
In one sequence from Deadpool & Wolverine, when Deadpool points out Nicepool’s misogyny, Nicepool retorts, “It’s okay, I identify as a feminist.” Justin Baldoni had previously publicly identified as a feminist during the promotion of It Ends With Us, which has raised suspicions about a potential connection between Nicepool’s character and Justin.
The dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni came to public attention after Blake filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Blake and Justin worked together on It Ends With Us, which was directed by Justin.