Ryan Reynolds did not hold back when discussing Justin Baldoni behind closed doors. Newly unsealed text messages from Blake Lively's legal battle with her It Ends With Us co-star and director reveal just how strongly the Deadpool actor felt about Baldoni as his wife faced intense public criticism during the film's August 2024 release.
In messages exchanged with It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover, Reynolds called Baldoni a "predator and sociopath" while criticizing the public narrative surrounding Lively.
© GC ImagesThe private conversations, reported by Page Six on October 9, 2026, offer another revealing look at the Hollywood dispute that dominated entertainment headlines before Lively and Baldoni reached a settlement in May 2026.
And Reynolds' comments about Baldoni were only part of the story.
Ryan Reynolds Calls Justin Baldoni a 'Predator and Sociopath' in Private Texts
According to the newly disclosed court documents, Reynolds exchanged messages with Hoover on August 10, 2024, as speculation about tension behind the scenes of It Ends With Us intensified.
In one particularly pointed message, Reynolds expressed disbelief that Lively was facing public criticism while Baldoni was attracting less scrutiny.
© GettyHe described Baldoni as a "predator and sociopath" and questioned why the narrative had focused on blaming a woman. The actor also expressed confidence that more information about the production would eventually become public. "It's amazing to me how low people still go," Reynolds wrote, adding that he believed people would eventually speak on the record.
The messages show that Reynolds was already deeply frustrated by the situation months before Lively formally accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation in December 2024.
Ryan Reynolds Mocks Justin Baldoni's Crisis PR Team
One of the more striking revelations involves Reynolds' sarcastic interpretation of Baldoni's public relations strategy.
In his conversation with Hoover, Reynolds suggested that Baldoni's crisis communications advisers were encouraging the director to maintain a carefully crafted public image while handling negative attention behind the scenes.
© CHARLY TRIBALLEAUReynolds imagined a conversation in which the team instructed Baldoni to continue discussing domestic violence, praising Lively and presenting himself as a thoughtful advocate.
He then wrote an imaginary response from Baldoni: "Justin: Namaste. Let's get this bitch." According to the court documents cited by Page Six, Hoover reacted with laughter.
The exchange reflected Reynolds' belief that Baldoni's public messaging did not align with what Reynolds believed was happening behind the scenes. Baldoni disputed the allegations against him.
Colleen Hoover Responds to Ryan Reynolds' Messages About Justin Baldoni
Hoover, whose bestselling novel inspired the film, also shared her frustration with the online reaction. In the newly revealed conversation, the author suggested that some of the loudest critics were young social media users who might eventually regret their comments.
She also expressed relief that public attention appeared to be shifting away from Lively and toward Baldoni. Reynolds responded that he was surprised by the number of girls participating in the criticism, although he believed some observers already understood the situation.
Their exchange came during a particularly complicated promotional period for It Ends With Us.
© John NacionThe film performed strongly at the box office, but its publicity campaign attracted controversy over how its subject matter was being discussed.
Lively faced criticism for encouraging moviegoers to wear floral outfits to screenings and for promoting her business ventures during interviews connected to a film centered on domestic abuse. At the same time, speculation grew about why Baldoni appeared separately from several cast members during promotional events.
The newly disclosed texts suggest that Reynolds and Hoover viewed the backlash through a very different lens from many of the film's online critics.
Ryan Reynolds Also Pressured Sony Pictures to Defend Blake Lively
The messages to Hoover were not the only private communications involving Reynolds that have attracted attention.
Additional court documents reported by Page Six reveal that Reynolds contacted talent agent Warren Zavala on August 17, 2024, urging Sony Pictures to publicly support Lively. Reynolds reportedly believed the studio was failing to adequately defend his wife against damaging publicity.
He described Sony's response as "unforgivable" and argued that the company needed to take stronger action. "Sony needs to step up for real," Reynolds wrote. "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH."
According to the messages, Reynolds had even drafted a proposed statement for the studio, although Sony did not release his version.
© GrosbyGroupHe wanted the company to acknowledge what he believed was a coordinated reputational attack on Lively.
Sony eventually issued a public statement supporting the actress in December 2024, after her allegations against Baldoni became public.
What Happened in Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's Lawsuit?
The dispute began publicly in December 2024, when Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation related to their work on It Ends With Us.
Baldoni denied the allegations and subsequently pursued a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and others, accusing them of defamation and other wrongdoing. That lawsuit was dismissed in June 2025.
In April 2026, a federal judge dismissed much of Lively's case, including her sexual harassment claims, while allowing certain retaliation-related claims to proceed.
© Jose Perez/Bauer-GriffinThe ruling did not establish that all of the alleged conduct had or had not occurred. Some claims were dismissed because of the legal requirements governing Lively's working relationship and the claims she brought.
The parties ultimately reached a confidential settlement in May 2026, shortly before the scheduled trial.
A joint statement from the parties acknowledged concerns about the production and emphasized the importance of workplaces free from misconduct.
The agreement ended the litigation without a trial determining the remaining disputed allegations.
How Has Justin Baldoni Responded Since the Settlement?
Baldoni has also addressed the emotional toll of the legal dispute.
In July 2026, he and his wife, Emily Baldoni, shared a video discussing the difficult period their family had experienced. The director said they had deliberately avoided speaking publicly for an extended period while allowing the legal process to unfold.
© GC ImagesBaldoni maintained that he wanted the legal system to address the allegations rather than continue arguing publicly.
