Hollywood is no stranger to drama, but the latest feud between actor Justin Baldoni and Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds is taking center stage. Baldoni, best known for his role in Jane the Virgin, is embroiled in a heated legal battle with Blake Lively, Reynolds’ wife and his co-star in the upcoming film adaptation of It Ends With Us.
The controversy took an unexpected turn as fans uncovered possible digs at Baldoni in Reynolds’ latest film, Deadpool & Wolverine.
Related: Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni: ‘It Ends With Us’ Sparks Explosive Lawsuit
A Tense History
The fallout between Baldoni and Lively has been widely publicized, with allegations ranging from inappropriate behavior to creative disputes on the set of It Ends With Us. Lively has accused Baldoni of fat-shaming, making inappropriate comments, and attempting to insert unplanned intimate scenes into the movie.
In response, Baldoni has filed a lawsuit against The New York Times, claiming that the narrative has been unfairly skewed in Lively’s favor. His team is revealing text messages between Mr. Baldoni and Ms. Lively, proving some of the allegations false.
The tension seems to have spilled over into Deadpool & Wolverine, where fans believe Reynolds may have used his character to satirize Baldoni.
Social media has been abuzz with speculation, fueled by detailed observations from X (formerly Twitter) user @SpiritualShift, who posted a thread pointing out potential parallels between Baldoni and the character “Nicepool,” a hippie-inspired version of Deadpool featured in the film.
Social Media Reacts
The thread began with a sharp observation:
The more I learn about Nicepool’s character, the more evident it becomes that Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively were mocking Justin Baldoni in the Deadpool & Wolverine movie. Here are all the scenes where Nicepool is imitating Justin Baldoni 🧵
(1) In this scene, Nicepool, portrayed by Ryan Reynolds, sports a hippie-style man-bun and long hair, similar to Justin Baldoni’s signature look. Nicepool compliments Blake’s character, Ladypool, saying, “Oh my goodness, wait til you’ve seen Ladypool. She’s gorgeous. She just had a baby too, and I can’t even tell.” Deadpool interjects, “I don’t think you’re supposed to say that,” to which Nicepool calmly responds, “That’s okay. I identify as a feminist.”
This parallels Justin Baldoni’s public persona as an activist and feminist. Blake’s complaint also alleges that Justin fat-shamed her after she gave birth, called her “sexy,” and made inappropriate remarks about her body.
In one scene, Nicepool, sporting a man bun and long hair reminiscent of Baldoni’s signature look, comments, “Oh my goodness, wait ‘til you’ve seen Ladypool. She’s gorgeous. She just had a baby too, and I can’t even tell.” Deadpool interjects, “I don’t think you’re supposed to say that,” to which Nicepool calmly responds, “That’s okay. I identify as a feminist.”
The more I learn about Nicepool’s character, the more evident it becomes that Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively were mocking Justin Baldoni in the Deadpool & Wolverine movie. Here are all the scenes where Nicepool is imitating Justin Baldoni 🧵
(1) In this scene, Nicepool,… pic.twitter.com/gdQpCvBvcH
— The Spiritual Shift (@spiritualshift_) January 8, 2025
Fans were quick to connect this dialogue to Lively’s allegations that Baldoni made inappropriate remarks about her post-pregnancy body, including calling her “sexy” and making unsolicited comments about her appearance.
The Intimacy Coordinator Controversy
Another scene in the film features Deadpool being subjected to a mind-reading supervillain. In frustration, Deadpool shouts, “And where in God’s name is the intimacy coordinator?”—a pointed line that seemingly references Lively’s complaints about a lack of an intimacy coordinator on the set of It Ends With Us.
Baldoni’s team has pushed back against these claims, sharing text messages indicating he had secured a coordinator, but Lively declined to work with them before filming.
@SpiritualShift_ shared this take:
(2) This scene features a supervillain, Cassandra Nova using her powers to probe Deadpool’s mind (also played by Ryan Reynolds). As she invades his memories, Deadpool exclaims, “And where in God’s name is the intimacy coordinator?” A pointed jab referencing Blake’s allegations against Justin, in which she claimed there was no intimacy coordinator on set.
However, Justin Baldoni’s complaint shared text messages showing that Blake had declined to meet with the intimacy coordinator.
(2) This scene features a supervillain, Cassandra Nova using her powers to probe Deadpool’s mind (also played by Ryan Reynolds). As she invades his memories, Deadpool exclaims, “And where in God’s name is the intimacy coordinator?” A pointed jab referencing Blake’s allegations… pic.twitter.com/v9DUe5M49E
— The Spiritual Shift (@spiritualshift_) January 8, 2025
Related: Ryan Reynolds Under Fire: Claims of ‘Berating’ Popular Actor Emerge from Troubling Event
Parallels and Outrage
The thread continued, citing additional moments from the film, including Nicepool’s smug remark, “My calling is to host a podcast that monetizes the women’s movement.”
Fans believe this line mocks Baldoni’s feminist podcast, Man Enough, where he often discusses his personal growth and societal issues.
(3) Additionally, here, in the outtakes, a scene with Nicepool seems to be another direct dig at Justin. Nicepool smugly remarks, “My calling is to host a podcast that monetizes the women’s movement.” This appears to parody Baldoni’s feminist podcast, Man Enough.
(4) Here, Nicepool imitating Justin is being criticized for opening up about his trauma and turning to faith and spirituality for healing, something Justin has openly discussed in his podcast and interviews.
(4) Here, Nicepool imitating Justin is being criticized for opening up about his trauma and turning to faith and spirituality for healing, something Justin has openly discussed in his podcast and interviews. pic.twitter.com/otvSJVP2GM
— The Spiritual Shift (@spiritualshift_) January 8, 2025
Related: ‘Deadpool 4’ Likely Never Happening After Ryan Reynolds Speaks Out
Blake Lively seemingly confirmed these subtle jabs in a cryptic Instagram post praising her husband.
The post included the line, “Nice men who use feminism as a tool,” which many interpreted as a veiled reference to Baldoni. Lively also celebrated Reynolds’ support during her legal disputes and hinted at their collaboration on the Deadpool script.
Brb I’m buying milky pens to write your name on my hand @vancityreynolds
My y2k girlies, I should be competitive bc @itendswithusmovie is coming out in 3 weeks BUT when your middle school obsessions, your feelings post baby, or about Nice men who use feminism as a tool, your love of the Wizard of Oz, Succession, Sandy & Danny, driving with Avril blasting, the way the choreography of a certain boy*band song got me, of Baz Luhrmann fireworks to punctuate a moment, even down to the fact that our hair color is determined by seasons and the French method by which it’s painted are all so seen… MY WORD… it’s hard not to encourage my ladies to spot all the ways we’ve influenced @deadpoolmovie I’ve never been more proud. And I’ve given birth 4 times. 🤣
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Related: The ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Joke That Went Too Far for Disney
A Purposeful End?
In one of the film’s final scenes, Nicepool is killed by Ladypool, portrayed by Lively, outside a flower shop.
Fans noted the symbolic nature of this moment, as Lively’s character in It Ends With Us, Lily Bloom, owns a flower shop. Was this scene intended as the ultimate dig at Baldoni?
(5) What happens to Nicepool’s character at the end? Well he gets shot to death multiple times by Ladypool played by Blake Lively herself while Deadpool, played by Ryan Reynolds, uses Nicepool as a human shield. The scene takes place outside a flower shop referencing the movie It Ends With Us.
(5) What happens to Nicepool’s character at the end? Well he gets shot to death multiple times by Ladypool played by Blake Lively herself while Deadpool, played by Ryan Reynolds, uses Nicepool as a human shield. The scene takes place outside a flower shop referencing the movie It… pic.twitter.com/yZyM4GSQva
— The Spiritual Shift (@spiritualshift_) January 8, 2025
As the legal battles unfold, the drama shows no signs of slowing down. Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni is ongoing, and Baldoni’s countersuit against The New York Times for its coverage of the dispute remains unresolved.
Fans and critics alike are left wondering if Reynolds’ creative choices in Deadpool & Wolverine crossed a line or if they’re simply clever satire.
What are your thoughts on this unfolding drama? Do you think Ryan Reynolds took things too far? Share your opinions in the comments below!
