Actor Ryan Reynolds has been accused of secretly stoking social media harassment against Justin Baldoni, three months after a legal feud involving Blake Lively ended.
A former publicist for Baldoni raised the allegation this week after Reynolds liked several online posts criticizing the director. The posts included one titled 'Justin Baldoni's Problematic Behavior,' which Reynolds later unliked.
Reynolds continues to follow and like content from Brent MacLerie, an anti-misogyny educator and men's advocate operating the ExPatriarch account. He also follows American lawyer Mary-Jane Morley, known as MorewithMJ, who advances an anti-Baldoni narrative.
The online activity has surprised industry observers, given that Lively previously stated she was proud to stand up against a retaliatory smear campaign. However, court filings revealed Reynolds was deeply invested in the dispute, sending angry emails to his agency team.
In those messages, Reynolds called Baldoni a 'predator,' 'fraud,' 'sociopath,' 's***ball,' 'human rounding error' and 'bucket of dumb dumb juice.' He also demanded his agents secure a public apology and described executives at Sony as 'f***ing textbook, ineffectual elderly people.'
Individuals connected to the case report an immediate spike in online harassment following posts by pro-Lively commentators. One source said: 'The legal commentators incite people to come after us and they make up and misrepresent legal situations day in and day out. We feel as if we have been bullied every day for two years. People actually take the word of these advocates as if it is true, and Ryan Reynolds is liking the posts.'
Sources close to the Deadpool star countered that pro-Lively creators face continuous attacks, stating: 'It's important to note how many pro-Lively creators are attacked and harassed. All the pro-Baldoni accounts attack and harass Blake daily.'
Court Rulings and Script Disputes
Many online commentators driving the narrative have no legal background but generate income from commercial engagement, a trend that expanded during the 2022 trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.
In April, a court dismissed 10 of Lively's 13 legal claims, including sexual harassment allegations against Baldoni. The judge ruled she could not pursue harassment claims under federal law because she worked on the film as an independent contractor rather than an employee.
Lively's remaining claims centered on retaliation were settled out of court in May. A subsequent court filing confirmed that the settlement involved no financial payout.
The film It Ends With Us, directed by and starring Baldoni, arrived in cinemas in August 2024 following reported tour friction. During competing lawsuits, Lively referred to Baldoni as a 'doofus director' and a 'clown,' requested script changes, and produced her own cut that was released in cinemas.
Romance Comedy Shifts and Test Screenings
In other film news, the romantic comedy One Night Only, starring Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner, is scheduled for release in the United Kingdom at the end of the month. The movie takes place in a dystopian future where premarital sex is banned except for a single night each year, when characters Allie and Owen meet.
Viewers at early screenings reported a lack of chemistry between the leads, prompting speculation that the project could affect Turner's standing as a favourite to play James Bond.
Director Will Gluck explained that explicit content was edited out following audience feedback. Gluck cited a broader societal shift toward private viewing on personal devices, leading him to remove numerous intimacy scenes from the final release.
Production Schedule Delays for Wonka Sequel
Filming for Wonka 2, which was scheduled to begin in the United Kingdom this November, faces delays as actor Timothée Chalamet evaluates his upcoming schedule.
Writer Simon Farnaby told Variety that Chalamet was uncertain about timing and next steps, stating the film was delayed indefinitely. Studio Warner Bros disputed the claim as entirely false, leading Farnaby to clarify that production teams are actively working on scheduling.
Diction Criticism and Biopic Development
Broadcaster Jonathan Ross offered criticism of actor Leo Woodall on his Reel Talk podcast, suggesting Woodall has developed a pattern of mumbling lines since starring in One Day.
Ross referred to Woodall as a handsome young man and a sexy mumbler, but noted difficulties understanding his dialogue in the Apple series Prime Target, adding: 'Open your mouth, boy!' Ross said he wished Woodall would take diction lessons.
Welsh actor Taron Egerton, 36, who previously portrayed Elton John in Rocket Man, has been selected to star as speed record breaker Donald Campbell in an upcoming biopic produced by Fremantle.
Campbell broke eight absolute world speed records during the 1950s and 1960s, remaining the only person to achieve both land and water records in 1964. He died at age 45 in 1967 when his jet-powered hydroplane Bluebird K7 flipped at Coniston Water while attempting to reach 300mph.
While his pilot helmet and teddy bear mascot Mr Whoppit were recovered floating in the water, Campbell's body and hydroplane wreckage were retrieved in 2001. The film will explore his family life and pursuit of his father, Sir Malcolm Campbell, who set speed records before dying of natural causes in 1948 at age 63.
Awards Postponements and Social Media Distance
Actress Samantha Morton and her daughter, actress and singer Esme Creed-Miles, maintain no visible interaction on social media. Creed-Miles did not post about Morton's role as Circe in The Odyssey or acknowledge her mother's 2024 BAFTA fellowship award.
BAFTA North America has postponed its plans to present three BAFTA Honors in Hollywood for a second time. Originally scheduled for winter 2025 in Los Angeles, the event was moved to winter 2026 and has now been shifted to autumn 2027 due to venue availability issues.
Broadcaster Roku has cancelled The Great American Baking Show after four seasons. The series featured judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith alongside two American presenters. Leith, 86, previously announced her departure from The Great British Bake Off, where she will be replaced on Channel 4 by Nigella Lawson.
Meanwhile, the release of director Christopher Nolan's film adaptation of The Odyssey has driven translations of Homer's ancient Greek epic to the top of the paperback non-fiction charts and second place in hardback.
