Marvel Entertainment is steering clear of the heated legal dispute involving actor Justin Baldoni and actress Blake Lively. The studio has made it clear that it wants no part in the courtroom controversy, especially when it comes to revealing any of its closely guarded secrets.
On April 25, Marvel filed a formal letter requesting a protective order to block the release of internal documents that Baldoni’s legal team had subpoenaed. The documents, Marvel argued, include confidential information tied to upcoming films in its cinematic universe—specifically crossover events and character development that could potentially be spoiled.
Marvel firmly rejected the idea that it should be involved in Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit. The request to withhold documents centers around the character “Nicepool,” featured in Deadpool & Wolverine, whom Baldoni claims is a mocking portrayal of him. The character’s appearance, including a man bun and satirical remarks about intimacy coordinators and post-baby bodies, has raised eyebrows and sparked controversy.
According to Baldoni, the alleged jab was a coordinated effort by Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, and their publicist, Leslie Sloane, following previous harassment accusations made by Lively—accusations which Baldoni strongly denies. The Five Feet Apart director and Jane the Virgin star says the parody damages his reputation and undermines his work as a public advocate for respectful workplace behavior in Hollywood.
Marvel, however, emphasized that the internal content being requested is “particularly sensitive” and has no direct link to the ongoing dispute, beyond the character being part of its broader storytelling. “This information is closely guarded by Marvel,” the letter states, underscoring that it is tied to a still-developing movie franchise.
Baldoni’s legal team has pushed back, insisting that Marvel did not genuinely attempt to negotiate or find a middle ground before filing the protective order.
Despite the high-profile nature of the lawsuit, Marvel appears determined to remain focused on its creative pipeline and shield its future projects from legal distractions. With Baldoni continuing to pursue his claims and Marvel drawing a firm line, this Hollywood battle is far from over.