Background of the Dispute

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is celebrated for its epic clashes, but recent developments have dragged it into a surprising legal fray involving actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. The heart of the matter revolves around Baldoni’s allegations regarding the character “Nicepool,” introduced in the upcoming film Deadpool and Wolverine.

Legal Requests and Reactions

On a notable date, Disney and Marvel filed a request with a New York district judge, aiming to quash a subpoena from Baldoni’s legal team. This legal document seeks access to various materials related to the development of the Nicepool character and subsequent communications about his portrayal.

In context, Baldoni argues that the Nicepool character is a parody of him, alleging that it serves as a means of harassment following his split with Lively. He contends that this portrayal reflects poorly on him, particularly as the character unfolds in the film.

The Response from Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds’ legal representatives have reacted firmly to Baldoni’s claims, requesting that the court dismiss these allegations. While Reynolds acknowledges that Nicepool draws inspiration from Baldoni, his team contends that emotional distress cannot serve as the foundation for a lawsuit.

Marvel’s Defense of Sensitive Content

In their recent court letter, Marvel highlighted the confidentiality of their creative processes, likening their character development documents to Colonel Sanders sharing a secret recipe. They emphasize the importance of safeguarding proprietary information crucial to the MCU’s success.

The requested documents are particularly sensitive because they relate to the development of a character in an ongoing movie franchise.

The Bigger Picture

This unfolding drama follows events from the release of It Ends With Us, in which Lively and Baldoni co-starred. Their collaboration appeared strained during promotional activities and eventually escalated to a lawsuit filed on January 1, 2025, where Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment.

Baldoni has since countered with a significant lawsuit, demanding $400 million for defamation and related claims. As it stands, a trial is scheduled for March 9, 2026.