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Disney CEO Bob Iger Drawn Into High-Stakes Legal Battle

The Walt Disney Company closed 2024 on a high note, celebrating a banner year at the box office with blockbuster hits like Inside Out 2, Moana 2, Mufasa: The Lion King, and the much-anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine. This remarkable lineup earned the studio over $2 billion domestically and a staggering $5 billion globally, making Disney the first studio to reach this milestone since the pre-pandemic era.

But as the new year begins, CEO Bob Iger finds himself embroiled in a legal battle stemming from unexpected quarters.

Bob Iger and Mickey Mouse
Credit: Disney

Related: Bob Iger “Obsessed” With Avoiding Another Bob Chapek Mistake

A contentious lawsuit involving It Ends With Us (2024) star Justin Baldoni, his co-star Blake Lively, and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, has roped Disney into the drama—all due to a character in one of its Marvel films.

The Allegations Against Disney and Marvel

On New Year’s Eve, Baldoni filed a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times for allegedly publishing a biased article accusing him of attempting to smear Blake Lively during the filming of It Ends With Us. Baldoni claims the article manipulated text messages and relied heavily on Lively’s narrative to portray him negatively.

Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively in It Ends With Us
Credit: Wayfarer Studios

Related: Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni: ‘It Ends With Us’ Sparks Explosive Lawsuit

At first glance, the lawsuit might appear to have no connection to Disney. However, Baldoni alleges that Ryan Reynolds — Lively’s husband and a lead actor in Deadpool & Wolverine — used the Marvel film as a platform to ridicule and harass him.

The allegations center on Reynolds’ portrayal of a new character named Nicepool, who delivers lines that Baldoni’s legal team argues were direct jabs at him.

The character reportedly mocks Baldoni’s claims of being a feminist and references accusations Lively made about him during filming.

Legal Action Against Disney and Marvel

In an exclusive report from Variety, it was revealed that Baldoni’s legal team sent a “litigation hold letter” to Bob Iger and Marvel President Kevin Feige.

The letter demands that Disney and Marvel preserve all documents related to the creation of the Nicepool character, including communications about its development and writing. According to Variety:

The litigation hold letter, sent the day the fires began, calls for Marvel and Disney to preserve “any and all documents relating to the development of the ‘Nicepool’ character” as well as “communications relating to the development, writing, and filming of storylines and scenes featuring ‘Nicepool.’” The letter also calls for the studio to retain “any and all documents relating to or reflecting a deliberate attempt to mock, harass, ridicule, intimidate, or bully Baldoni through the character of ‘Nicepool.’”

During an appearance on “The Megyn Kelly Show” on Jan. 7, Freedman referenced the Nicepool character. “There’s no question it relates to Justin. I mean, anybody that watched that hair bun,” Freedman said. He also questioned why Reynolds would use his wife’s alleged sexual harassment for comedic fodder. “If somebody is seriously sexually harassed, you don’t make fun of it. It’s a serious issue,” Freedman added.

Ryan Reynolds as Nicepool and Deadpool, and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine
Credit: Marvel

Related: Ryan Reynolds Under Fire: Claims of ‘Berating’ Popular Actor Emerge from Troubling Event

Silence From Disney and the Stars

Neither Disney nor Marvel has responded to the allegations or the litigation hold letter. Ryan Reynolds, who also contributed to the writing of Deadpool & Wolverine, has remained silent on the matter. However, the drama has already made waves in Hollywood.

Both Reynolds and Lively announced that they would not attend this year’s Golden Globe Awards, where Deadpool & Wolverine was expected to be a major topic of discussion.

While Baldoni has only filed a lawsuit against The New York Times so far, his legal team has hinted that further action could be taken, potentially targeting Lively and Reynolds directly.

Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively in 'It Ends With Us'
Credit: Wayfarer Studios

For Bob Iger and The Walt Disney Company, the lawsuit presents a significant distraction from the studio’s recent triumphs. As legal proceedings unfold, the entertainment giant will undoubtedly aim to distance itself from the controversy.

Do you think Nicepool was intentionally designed to mock Justin Baldoni? Should Disney or Ryan Reynolds face legal consequences for their involvement in this controversy? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Krysten Swensen

A born and bred New England girl living the Disney life in Southern California. I love to read, to watch The Golden Girls, and love everything to do with Disney and Universal. I also love to share daily doses of Disney on my Disney Instagram @BrazzleDazzleDisney!

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