Ryan Reynolds delivered a pointed critique of Justin Baldoni in a letter to author Colleen Hoover, referencing his character Nicepool from the Deadpool & Wolverine movie. The letter, disclosed in court filings on January 20, 2025, came after the success of It Ends With Us, a film starring Reynolds’ wife, Blake Lively, and Hoover’s bestselling novel.
In the message, Reynolds commented on the challenges Hoover and Lively faced bringing the project to life, while slyly taking aim at Baldoni’s public persona. Reynolds, 49, wrote,
“You and B made something gorgeous out of ingredients you didn’t ask for. Which is what makes you both in this whole post production team so clutch,”
praising their teamwork before turning to mock Baldoni’s situation.
Subtle Barbs Amid Illness Reference in Private Note
Reynolds noted that Hoover and Lively were stuck in New York due to an illness, then incorporated a cutting jab:
“I heard you guys got a tummy bug and you’re stuck in New York. I can’t think of anything worse.”
He then inserted a direct shade at Baldoni’s image, adding,
“Although it might be your body ridding itself of any residual Baldoni,”
and went on to say,
“I’d rather be puking in a gulag than hijacking performative feminism while practicing personal growth catch phrases in the mirror.”
This comment appears to criticize Baldoni’s well-known feminist stance and his reputation for a gentle demeanor, characteristics that mirrored Reynolds’ satirical Nicepool character. Baldoni, aged 41, has been vocal about feminism, earning accolades such as the Voices of Solidarity Award from Vital Voices in December 2024 for supporting women.
The Origins and Impact of the Nicepool Character
In the film featuring a Marvel universe crossover, Reynolds plays Nicepool, a Deadpool variation sporting a man bun and proudly identifying as a feminist. The character delivers lines that parody Baldoni’s public persona, including the memorable demand,
“Where in God’s name is the intimacy coordinator?!”
and complimenting Ladypool, voiced by Lively, for “snapping back” after childbirth.
Baldoni has publicly accused Reynolds of mocking him through the Nicepool character. His insistence on an intimacy coordinator during the production of It Ends With Us fueled perceptions that the character was crafted to ridicule his values. Baldoni’s legal team requested Marvel preserve documents regarding Nicepool to investigate if the character was deliberately designed to harass or demean Baldoni.
Ongoing Legal Disputes Surrounding the Nicepool Allegations
The lawsuit involving Baldoni, Reynolds, and Lively began in late 2024 after Lively sued Baldoni for sexual harassment and an alleged smear campaign, with Baldoni denying the claims and filing a countersuit. Though a judge dismissed Baldoni’s claim in June 2025, Lively’s lawsuit continues and is scheduled for trial in May. Recently, hundreds of documents, including messages between Lively and Taylor Swift, were released publicly ahead of the trial.
In response to a request for documents related to Nicepool, Marvel described the information as “particularly sensitive,” emphasizing the importance of protecting details about ongoing MCU projects. In an April 2025 letter to the court, Marvel explained,
“Marvel has built the success of the MCU in large part by interconnecting storylines, plots and characters across its titles, including ‘crossover’ events and sequels. Whether and how such elements will appear in upcoming, unreleased projects is the subject of much public interest, and this information is closely guarded by Marvel.”
Significance of the Ryan Reynolds Nicepool Shade and Future Developments
Reynolds’ disparaging remarks toward Baldoni via the Nicepool character highlight the tension underlying Hollywood’s disputes over personal image and public narratives related to feminism and professional conduct. This incident illustrates how private jabs can intertwine with public controversies, especially when legal battles lift previously confidential communications into the spotlight.
As Lively’s case advances toward trial, the unfolding drama between these actors, along with the implications of character creation and portrayal within a major franchise like Marvel’s, remains a critical watchpoint. The release of more documents and testimonies could deepen the understanding of how personal grievances influence creative decisions and public statements in the entertainment industry.
