Ryan Reynolds urged Sony Pictures to take a stronger stand against Justin Baldoni as Blake Lively faced mounting backlash over the promotion of It Ends With Us. Newly revealed text messages obtained by Page Six show the Deadpool star pressuring the studio to confront Baldoni regarding his alleged smear campaign against the Gossip Girl alum.
The messages, exchanged with talent agent Warren Zavala in August 2024, surfaced as Lively faced criticism over her film promotion and allegations regarding her on-set behavior. Reynolds criticized the studio for its inaction, calling its response "unforgivable." After drafting a statement that Sony never released, Reynolds insisted the situation required immediate attention.
"Sony needs to step up for real," he wrote. "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH." He argued that Baldoni "needs to see that an entire studio knows what he's doing." Reynolds accused the studio of allowing the situation to escalate, adding that Lively "under no circumstances should be asked to clean up this sloppy, cliched f**kstorm."
Sony eventually publicly backed Lively in December 2024, after she accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign. The studio's delayed intervention became a focal point of the internal dispute, highlighting the tension between the production house and its lead actors.
Baldoni consistently denied the allegations throughout the duration of the conflict. The legal battle between the co-stars, which drew significant media attention, eventually concluded in a settlement in May 2026.
The settlement was reached just two weeks before the scheduled trial, effectively ending the public feud. Legal experts noted that the resolution prevented further damaging revelations from surfacing in court documents.
The revelation of these texts provides a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes power dynamics of major Hollywood productions. It underscores the extent to which A-list stars like Reynolds are willing to intervene to protect their partners' reputations.
Industry analysts suggest that this incident may lead to stricter protocols regarding on-set conduct and promotional obligations. The case remains a significant example of how personal conflicts can overshadow professional projects.
As the dust settles on the legal proceedings, both parties have moved on to other projects. However, the leaked correspondence continues to be a subject of intense discussion within the entertainment industry.
The incident serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in managing high-profile film releases. With the trial avoided, the focus has shifted back to the long-term impact of these events on the careers of those involved.