Ryan Reynolds faced backlash from fans over a lengthy and ‘cringe’ email he sent to Colleen Hoover, the author of the film It Ends With Us, in the wake of the movie’s August 2024 premiere. The actor’s email became public as part of the unsealed court documents in his wife Blake Lively’s ongoing legal dispute with Justin Baldoni, the director and co-star of the film, revealing a mix of praise for Hoover and mockery toward Baldoni.
Details of Ryan Reynolds’ Email to Colleen Hoover and Public Reaction
One day after the August 10 premiere of It Ends With Us, Reynolds wrote an email to Hoover, exuberantly describing the film as a “complete f*****g WIN.” The message included praise for Hoover’s and Lively’s efforts, calling their work “gorgeous” and stating audiences everywhere embraced the movie. He also highlighted how the team had rallied around the project, with Sony unexpectedly supporting it in ways he had not anticipated.
Despite the enthusiastic tone, fans quickly expressed discomfort over Reynolds’ message. Many described the length and style of the email as “cringe” and “egotistical,” noting the actor’s involvement in the film appeared unusually close for someone not officially credited in a creative capacity. Some viewers mocked the verbose nature of both Reynolds and Lively’s communications. Comments such as
“Why do they write like this? My god, everything I’ve seen from him and Blake is about five times longer than it needs to be”
circulated widely online.
Others took a humorous approach to the perceived awkwardness, with one fan saying,
“I now have a tummy bug after reading that,”
while another joked,
“I don’t have the data plan for this text.”
Some even questioned why Reynolds was involved at all.
“Why is he involved at all? Ew,”
one comment read, referencing accusations that Reynolds and Lively had ‘hijacked’ the film from director Baldoni. The public’s reaction captured a mix of confusion and derision toward Reynolds’ unsolicited display of pride and his frank tone.
Mocking Justin Baldoni and Tensions Behind the Scenes
The unsealed exhibits also revealed Reynolds’ disparaging remarks directed at Baldoni, whom he referred to as a “dumb-dumb” in text messages. Reynolds sarcastically mocked Baldoni’s reported illness during the film’s promotional period, writing,
“I heard you guys got a tummy bug and you’re stuck in NY. I can’t think of anything worse. Although it might be your body ridding itself of any residual Baldoni.”
He further ridiculed the director’s behavior on set, blaming Baldoni and his team for creating a “big f***ing mess” and criticized their response to the early rumors of discord during production. Reynolds urged Baldoni and his collaborators to publicly confront the speculation with an “unqualified” and “full-throated” statement instead of staying silent.
Reynolds painted a picture of a divided film set, claiming that
“every cast member and key crew member (including Colleen) won’t be in the same room as the guy,”
adding that numerous people had unfollowed Baldoni on social media over the past six months. He stressed that no one had mentioned Baldoni’s name in interviews, implying a deliberate distancing from the director among the project’s team.
Ryan Reynolds Defends Blake Lively’s Role Amidst Legal Battle
In the exchanges, Reynolds was vocal about protecting Blake Lively’s reputation, emphasizing that she should not be burdened with
“cleaning up this sloppy, cliched f***storm.”
He described Lively’s contributions as pivotal in the film’s success, stating she
“f***ing refused to give up on the film,”
sacrificing sleep and family time to ensure high standards in post-production.
Reynolds framed the film’s box office victory as a direct result of Lively’s dedication, crediting her with making it a
“win for Sony and by proxy, Wayfarer.”
He criticized Baldoni’s camp for failing to shield Lively from damaging narratives, particularly those portraying her as a “controlling b****” amid early allegations of on-set conflicts.
Reynolds also created a satirical draft of a public apology he felt Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath should have issued. This fictional statement acknowledged “abhorrent” behavior on set, pledged genuine accountability beyond “performative virtue signaling,” and insisted that the film’s success was “in spite of” rather than because of their involvement.
Background of the Legal Dispute Between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni
The email and messages surfaced amid a bitter legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, which has been ongoing for over a year. Lively filed a lawsuit in December 2024 accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment, retaliation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit includes claims of body shaming and damaging her professional reputation. It also names several of Baldoni’s collaborators, including Wayfarer Studios, its CEO, financial backers, and public relations personnel.
Baldoni has denied all allegations and has pursued legal action himself. In January 2025, he expanded a defamation suit against The New York Times—initially seeking $250 million—to $400 million, naming Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Lively’s publicist Leslie Sloane as defendants. This countersuit was dismissed in June, but the overarching dispute is set to proceed to trial in March 2026.
Implications for the Film and Industry Relations
The exposure of these private exchanges and the acrimony between Lively, Reynolds, and Baldoni adds a layer of public drama to the movie’s otherwise successful launch. While It Ends With Us has been warmly received by audiences, these behind-the-scenes conflicts risk overshadowing the film’s achievements. Reynolds’ role, initially seen as an outside admirer or supporter, now appears deeply enmeshed in the controversy, with his involvement being a source of both praise from allies and scorn from critics.
The ongoing legal battle illustrates the complicated dynamics that can unfold during high-profile productions, particularly when allegations of misconduct intersect with creative disagreements. The trial’s outcome could have ramifications for those involved, affecting industry reputations and potentially altering the future handling of accountability within Hollywood productions.
