Ryan Reynolds drawn deeper into Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni fight as texts go public

Ryan Reynolds is facing renewed scrutiny after private text messages tied to his wife Blake Lively’s legal dispute with director and co-star Justin Baldoni were unsealed in late January 2026, adding fresh fuel to a case that has already become one of Hollywood’s most closely watched court battles. Reynolds has not been named as a primary plaintiff or defendant in the remaining claims, but the newly public exchanges have pushed him to the center of the public narrative.

The dispute now heads toward a scheduled trial date in May 2026 (ET), with both sides fighting over what happened on set, what was said in private, and whether any retaliation or reputation damage followed.

What’s in the newly unsealed texts

The messages show Reynolds forcefully backing Lively during a period when tensions around the production and promotion of their film escalated. In the texts, he uses blunt language to criticize Baldoni and to argue that Lively deserved stronger support. The tone of the messages—protective and combative—has become the main talking point, less for any single line than for what the exchange suggests about how personally the conflict had become.

A representative for Reynolds responded publicly to the release, framing his role as that of a spouse defending his partner and emphasizing the importance of a workplace free from harassment. Baldoni’s side has continued to deny wrongdoing and has argued that the broader story has been distorted.

Why the case became so high-profile

This legal battle drew attention early because it combined three elements that rarely collide so directly: a major studio release, allegations involving workplace conduct, and a parallel fight over public messaging. As filings piled up, the dispute moved beyond a single complaint and into a larger argument about control—of a set, of a film’s rollout, and of reputations afterward.

As more documents have entered the public record, the story has widened to include communications among team members, publicists, and other Hollywood figures—turning a private workplace dispute into a public, document-driven saga.

The key legal timeline so far

Here are the major milestones that set the current stage:

• December 2024: Lively filed legal claims alleging sexual harassment and retaliation connected to the production.

• January 2025: Baldoni filed a countersuit that included Reynolds and others, asserting defamation and related claims.

• June 2025: A judge dismissed Baldoni’s countersuit, narrowing the dispute and leaving Lively’s claims as the central legal action moving forward.

• January 2026: Additional communications and exhibits were unsealed, including texts involving Reynolds that reignited public debate.

• May 18, 2026: The case is currently set for trial in New York (ET).

What both sides are arguing now

Lively’s legal team has maintained that multiple people involved with the production raised concerns about Baldoni’s behavior and that retaliation followed. They have also argued that the dispute is rooted in workplace conduct, not merely creative disagreement.

Baldoni’s team has denied the harassment allegations and has suggested the conflict stems from control issues around the project, including decisions during production and promotion. Even after the dismissal of his countersuit, his side has continued to press its narrative through court arguments and public statements.

With a trial date on the calendar, the fight is shifting toward evidence and credibility: who said what, when it was said, who witnessed it, and how those actions affected jobs, promotion plans, and professional relationships.

What happens next as trial approaches

In the next phase, both sides are expected to focus on depositions, additional motions, and continued disputes over what should remain sealed versus public. The unsealed texts suggest the court is likely to keep seeing arguments over privacy and relevance, especially where communications involve third parties.

Two factors will shape the public temperature between now and May:

1. whether more documents become public, and

2. whether either side signals interest in settlement—or doubles down with pretrial filings that sharpen the allegations.

For Reynolds, the immediate issue isn’t a new lawsuit; it’s visibility. When private messages become evidence, they can also become a public proxy for motive, tone, and intent—whether or not they decide liability.

Sources consulted: Reuters; People; Entertainment Weekly; Deadline