Justin Baldoni Sends Legal Notice Regarding Ryan Reynolds' 'Deadpool and Wolverine' Amid Blake Lively Feud
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Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni legal battle continues to escalate, with Marvel president Kevin Feige, Disney CEO Bob Iger, and director Tim Miller becoming the latest industry figures swept into the drama.

AceShowbiz - In a turn of events that could only be crafted in Hollywood, a legal battle involving actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has now roped in industry giants like Marvel president Kevin Feige and Disney CEO Bob Iger.

On January 7, Baldoni's lawyer Bryan Freedman sent a litigation hold letter to Feige and Iger in connection with his client's "anticipated claims" against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and other unnamed parties. According to Variety who has seen a copy of the letter, Baldoni calls on the studio to preserve all relevant documents and data with regards to a Deadpool scene.

The move may come as a surprise given that "It Ends With Us," the film at the center of the Lively and Baldoni rift, was released by Sony and had nothing to do with Disney. But Baldoni's attorney believes that Reynolds was flagrantly mocking Baldoni in a sequence in Marvel's "Deadpool & Wolverine," which was released by Disney in July.

In "Deadpool & Wolverine", Reynolds' Deadpool and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine encounter a Deadpool "variant," named Nicepool, who wears a man bun - a hairstyle Baldoni sported for years.

Nicepool makes a comment about Ladypool, played by Lively, saying, "Oh my goodness, wait til you've seen Ladypool. She is gorgeous. She just had a baby too and [you] can't even tell."

As Deadpool, also played by Reynolds, responds, "I don't think you're supposed to say that," Nicepool answers, "That's OK. I identify as a feminist," seemingly dissing Baldoni's image as a self-proclaimed ally to women and referring to his alleged fat-shaming Lively during the production of their movie.

Nicepool later meets a gruesome death, further fueling speculations about Reynolds' jab at Baldoni.

Instead of Ryan Reynolds, a fake name, Gordon Reynolds, was credited as the person who played Nicepool and even received a shout-out from Lively in the end credits of her movie with Baldoni. In an Instagram post, she also wrote that "Deadpool & Wolverine" was about "Nice men who use feminism as a tool."

Baldoni's litigation hold letter calls for Marvel and Disney to preserve "any and all documents relating to the development of the 'Nicepool' character" as well as "communications relating to the development, writing, and filming of storylines and scenes featuring 'Nicepool.' "

The letter wants the studio to retain "all documents relating to or reflecting a deliberate attempt to mock, harass, ridicule, intimidate, or bully Baldoni through the character of 'Nicepool.' "

Reynolds - who was a writer, producer, and star of "Deadpool & Wolverine" - has never addressed if there's a connection between Nicepool and Baldoni.

However, during an appearance on "The Megyn Kelly Show", Freedman said, "There's no question it relates to Justin. I mean, anybody that watched that hair bun." He also questioned why Reynolds would use the alleged harassment suffered by his wife for comedic fodder. "You don't make fun of it. It's a serious issue," Freedman added.

In another twist, Baldoni's team suggested that Reynolds may have pushed director Tim Miller out of Deadpool franchise in a Lively/Baldoni-style rift. Miller directed the first "Deadpool" movie but did not return for the sequel or "Deadpool & Wolverine" due to creative differences.

The letter demands the studio preserve any documents and data "relating to complaints made against Ryan Reynolds by any person, including without limitation Tim Miller" and Miller's exit from the film "Deadpool 2" as well as any instances of Reynolds asking for "creative control of any film project."

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