Ryan Reynolds was spotted in New York City on Monday for the first time since his wife Blake Lively scored a major legal win against Justin Baldoni.
The 48-year-old Deadpool star looked relaxed and upbeat as he enjoyed a casual stroll with longtime collaborator and Deadpool director Shawn Levy.
Reynolds kept it laid-back, sporting a short-sleeve blue button-up over a white tank top, paired with loose pants and white sneakers.
Sunglasses shielded his eyes from the sun. Levy matched the chill vibe with a plaid shirt, grey jeans, and sneakers, making it a low-key outing amid the ongoing drama.
The Legal Battle That Shook Hollywood
The whole situation began back in December 2024 when Blake Lively accused Justin Baldoni—her director and co-star on It Ends with Us—of sexual harassment on set.
Baldoni denied the allegations and hit back with a massive $400 million defamation countersuit against Lively, her publicist Leslie Sloane, and Ryan Reynolds.
The tension didn’t stop there. Baldoni also sued The New York Times for $250 million over their explosive coverage of Lively’s harassment claims.
But the big news came recently when a judge dismissed Baldoni’s countersuit, handing Lively and her team a major legal win.
Blake Lively’s Emotional Reaction to the Ruling
According to a source close to Lively, she was overwhelmed with relief when she heard the judge’s decision.
“Complete elation from Blake’s world and a monkey off her back,” the insider told DailyMail.com.
“Blake is breathing a sigh of relief right now and all tears are happy tears.”
Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled that Baldoni’s claims were based on privileged court documents and that there wasn’t enough evidence to prove defamation or extortion.
The judge made it clear that Lively was entitled to request protections on set without being accused of extortion, and also noted that no contractual obligation required Lively to promote the film.
What the Judge Said About the Case
In his detailed ruling, Judge Liman said the statements made by Reynolds, Sloane, and The New York Times couldn’t be considered defamatory because there was no proof of actual malice or reckless disregard for the truth.
The judge also noted that The Times had simply reported what it believed to be true based on the evidence.
While Baldoni and his team can file an amended complaint related to other claims by June 23, 2025, the court made it clear that this initial lawsuit would be dismissed in full.
Statements from Blake Lively’s Lawyers
Blake Lively’s legal team called the ruling “a total victory and a complete vindication” for Lively, Reynolds, Sloane, and The New York Times.
They called Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit “a sham” and said they’re preparing to pursue further legal actions, including seeking attorneys’ fees and punitive damages.
Background on the Feud and Fallout
The bitter legal fight exploded after rumors of tension between Lively and Baldoni during the filming of It Ends with Us.
Lively accused Baldoni of body shaming and orchestrating a smear campaign to ruin her reputation.
Baldoni has denied all allegations, claiming that Lively and Reynolds misrepresented their relationship and communications.
Baldoni’s team even launched a website showcasing private texts and communications to support their side of the story.
Despite the drama, the film itself was a box office hit, grossing $350 million worldwide after its August 2024 release.
What This Means for the Future
Although the current lawsuit was dismissed, Baldoni still has the option to file a second amended complaint by late June.
Meanwhile, Lively and Reynolds are pressing forward, backed by their legal team and supporters in the industry.
This saga has had major professional consequences for Baldoni, including being dropped by his agency and facing further lawsuits.
But for now, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds appear to be celebrating a hard-fought legal victory as they move on from one of Hollywood’s most high-profile disputes in recent years.