Ryan Reynolds' Fiery Texts Exposed in Blake Lively's Legal Battle Against Director
Hollywood's power couple Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively find themselves at the center of a dramatic legal showdown that has escalated with the unsealing of explosive court documents. The private communications of Reynolds have now been made public, revealing his unvarnished criticism of director Justin Baldoni during the production of the 2024 film 'It Ends With Us'.
Scathing Private Messages Surface in Court Filings
According to 181 pages of documents unsealed on January 20, 2026, and reported by the BBC, Ryan Reynolds exchanged private texts with a WME executive in July 2024 where he launched a blistering attack on Baldoni. The Deadpool star described the director as a 'thoroughbred, predatory fraudster' and an 'inexplicably toxic mess' in the revealed messages.
Reynolds expressed deep frustration with the production environment created by Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios team, characterizing it as a 'big mess' on set. He vehemently defended his wife, insisting that Blake Lively should not be portrayed as the controlling party in the narrative surrounding the film's troubled production.
Lively's Lawsuit and Cast Support
The documents emerged as part of Lively's lawsuit against Baldoni, which she filed in December 2024. According to Variety, the actress alleges sexual harassment, retaliation, and a smear campaign after she raised concerns during production. She is seeking damages exceeding $160 million, with the trial scheduled for May 2026 in New York.
Support for Lively's position appears in the unsealed filings through depositions from cast members, including Jenny Slate, who reportedly backed Lively's concerns about inappropriate behavior during production. Additional documents submitted to the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, as reported by CNN, reveal that Lively candidly discussed with friends the difficulties she allegedly faced while working on the set of the film where she starred alongside Baldoni.
Reynolds' Representative Responds Forcefully
A representative for Ryan Reynolds addressed the leaked communications directly, telling Puck News: 'Yes, Ryan got involved; what husband wouldn't support his wife and the mother of his children?' The representative added an even more striking statement: 'If anything, Ryan feels like he wasn't angry enough.'
The response framed Reynolds' protective stance as completely justified, emphasizing his role as a supportive husband without apology. This development follows earlier revelations about a tense January 2024 meeting between Reynolds and Baldoni at the couple's New York apartment, after which Baldoni reportedly felt 'ambushed' and 'emotionally paralyzed' according to his own texts.
Counterclaims and Hollywood Power Dynamics
Justin Baldoni has denied all accusations and initially countersued for defamation, though this countersuit was later dismissed. His legal team argues that Lively and Reynolds have used their considerable Hollywood influence to undermine him, pointing to Sony communications about Lively's behavior as evidence.
The legal saga has drawn attention from numerous Hollywood figures, with texts mentioning stars like Taylor Swift, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon appearing in the documents. In one particularly striking private message, Reynolds compared the online backlash against his wife to Johnny Depp's highly publicized legal battles.
Broader Implications for the Entertainment Industry
As documents continue to emerge, entertainment observers are watching closely what has become one of Hollywood's most contentious behind-the-scenes conflicts. This feud highlights the complex intersection of personal relationships and professional responsibilities in the film industry, particularly surrounding one of 2024's most anticipated productions.
The case underscores how power dynamics, creative differences, and personal loyalties can collide in high-stakes entertainment projects, with potentially career-altering consequences for all involved. With the trial scheduled for 2026 and more documents likely to surface, this legal battle promises to remain in the spotlight as it reveals the often-hidden tensions behind major film productions.
