Justin Baldoni has subtly responded to what he sees as a personal jab from Ryan Reynolds, delivered via a deleted scene from Reynolds’ Deadpool and Wolverine project. The clip, which recently went viral on social media, was addressed by Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, who described the reference as “obvious” and criticized its insensitivity.
In an interview with Megyn Kelly on January 7, Freedman condemned Reynolds for trivializing a serious issue. “If your wife is sexually harassed, you don’t make fun of Justin Baldoni. You don’t make fun of the situation. You take it very seriously,” Freedman said. He argued that making light of such situations undermines their gravity.
Freedman continued, “You file HR complaints, you raise the issue, and you follow a legal process. What you don’t do is mock the person and turn it into a joke. Again, if somebody is seriously sexually harassed, you don’t make fun of it. It’s a serious issue.”
The controversy stems from a deleted scene where Reynolds’ character, “Nicepool,” sports a man bun, a hairstyle often associated with Baldoni. In the scene, Nicepool gushes about Ladypool, portrayed by Reynolds’ wife, Blake Lively, saying, “She just had a baby too, and [you] can’t even tell.” This was followed by Nicepool identifying as a feminist and joking, “I’d be fighting alongside you, but my calling is to one day start a podcast that monetizes the women’s movement.”
Observers have interpreted these remarks as a jab at Baldoni’s podcast, Man Enough, which focuses on redefining masculinity and supporting gender equality. Freedman stated, “There’s no question [the scene] relates to Justin,” implying that the parody crossed a line by targeting Baldoni’s personal and professional identity.
The viral clip has sparked a debate on social media, with some defending Reynolds’ comedic style while others support Baldoni’s stance on addressing sensitive topics with respect.
This incident highlights the fine line between humor and insensitivity, particularly when addressing serious issues like harassment or leveraging comedy to criticize individuals’ personal values or work.