The latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’, has not only captivated audiences with its action and humor but has also plunged into controversy involving Hollywood’s finest—Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, and Justin Baldoni. A legal storm has ensued over the creation of a character named Nicepool, which has sparked a $400 million lawsuit against Reynolds and Lively by Baldoni, the director of ‘It Ends With Us’.
Timeline of the Controversy
The dispute centers on allegations that Nicepool, a character from the new ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ film, was crafted to mock Justin Baldoni. Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s attorney, argues that the portrayal of Nicepool, created by Reynolds and possibly with Lively’s input, was intended as a satirical jab at Baldoni. This contention arises amidst serious allegations previously leveled by Lively against Baldoni, which include claims of sexual harassment—allegations that Freedman insists would not be material for humor if they held truth.
The Essence of Nicepool
The roots of the contention trace back to the interactions on the set of ‘It Ends With Us‘, where tensions between Lively and Baldoni escalated to legal agreements on conduct. Interestingly, the shooting of Nicepool’s scenes in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ coincided closely with these events, occurring in late January 2024, right after the conclusion of the SAG-AFTRA strike. This timeline suggests that the decision to include Nicepool could have been influenced by the ongoing feud.
Allegations and Reactions
Described in the shooting script as a “younger, slightly more muscular Reynolds,” Nicepool is depicted as a picture-perfect version of Deadpool without a mask. His appearance, humorously likened to a design by Yves Saint Laurent for a Marvel film, combines immaculate features with a touch of irony. Notably, his man-bun hairstyle closely resembles Baldoni’s previous looks, adding to the speculation of the character being a direct parody.
The crux of the legal argument is that the jest embedded within the Nicepool character undermines the gravity of the harassment allegations. If Lively’s claims were genuine, Freedman contends, they would be handled with solemnity rather than satire. Additionally, Nicepool’s dialogue and characteristics—such as remarks on Ladypool’s post-pregnancy body and feminist identity—mirror controversies surrounding Baldoni, further fueling the debate.
Despite the heated allegations, the team behind ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’, including Reynolds and director Shawn Levy, has remained silent on the matter. The legal notice demanding the preservation of all materials related to Nicepool indicates an impending exploration of these issues in court.