Additional Coverage:
- Ryan Reynolds demands Justin Baldoni defamation lawsuit be dismissed, believes he’s a ‘predator’: court docs (foxnews.com)
Ryan Reynolds Seeks Dismissal of Justin Baldoni’s Lawsuit
Actor Ryan Reynolds has filed a motion to dismiss the $400 million lawsuit filed against him by Justin Baldoni. The lawsuit, which also names Blake Lively as a defendant, accuses the couple of civil extortion and defamation, among other claims.
Reynolds’ legal team argues that the defamation claim hinges on two alleged instances where Reynolds called Baldoni a “predator.” However, the motion to dismiss contends that the lawsuit fails to demonstrate that Reynolds didn’t believe his statement to be true.
The filing suggests Reynolds “genuinely, perhaps passionately, believes that Mr. Baldoni’s behavior is reflective of a ‘predator.’”
Reynolds’ attorneys, Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, elaborated in a statement, emphasizing their client’s First Amendment right to express his opinion. They pointed to Lively’s private accusations of sexual harassment and retaliation against Baldoni, as well as Baldoni’s own public statements regarding past mistreatment of women. The attorneys contend that the lawsuit’s allegations, rather than contradicting Reynolds’ statement, appear to support his belief.
This story is developing.