Marvel requests elimination from Justin Baldoni lawsuit to prevent disclosure of 'Nicepool' plot details
Hollywood's Legal Fiasco: The Battle Over 'Nicepool' and Its Impact on Marvel
Justin Baldoni is locked in a heated legal dispute against Marvel, Ryan Reynolds, and Blake Lively, but Marvel isn't eager to get dragged into Hollywood's mess. According to Us Weekly, the studio filed a protective order on April 25, requesting to shield its confidential documents from Baldoni's lawsuit, fearing they might disclose private plot details of upcoming Marvel films.
This move comes after a subpoena from Baldoni's team, who believe the "Nicepool" character in Deadpool & Wolverine could be a jab at Baldoni. Marvel, however, insists the documents requested are off-limits due to their association with an ongoing movie franchise and their sensitive nature, which includes confidential information about future crossover events and character arcs.
Baldoni's legal team is pushing back, arguing Marvel hasn't made sufficient efforts to settle the dispute. The conflict stems from Baldoni's allegations that Reynolds, Lively, and their publicist Leslie Sloane conspired to ridicule him through the man-bunned "Nicepool," who takes jabs at intimacy coordinators and post-baby bodies.
Baldoni, a vocal advocate for feminism and on-set ethics, found the portrayal offensive. The situation escalated following Lively's previous harassment allegations, which Baldoni vehemently denies.
Key to the dispute are Baldoni's defamation claims against Reynolds, who allegedly created Nicepool as a "vicious caricature"[5]. Baldoni's lawyers aim to use Marvel's documents to prove Reynolds acted with malice, essential for defamation claims[1][4]. However, Reynolds' legal team argues his remarks about Baldoni (such as calling him a "sexual predator") fall under protected opinion and do not constitute defamation[2][3].
Marvel and Reynolds' lawyers claim Nicepool is satirical opinion, not defamatory fact, emphasizing "hurt feelings" don't justify legal action[3][5]. They also express reluctance to disclose details, potentially to safeguard future Deadpool plans[5].
Reynolds' legal team has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, calling it a case of "thin-skinned outrage" over opinions[2][3]. They argue that Reynolds' remarks about Baldoni are subjective opinions, shielded by free speech protections[2][5]. The outcome depends on whether courts deem Nicepool a malicious portrayal or protected satire. Baldoni's demand for Marvel's internal documents remains a significant battleground[1][4].
[1] https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/marvel-asks-federal-court-block-justin-baldoni-deadpool-wolverine-upcoming-movies-documents-1235103552/[2] https://www.deadline.com/2023/05/justin-baldoni-legal-team-accuses-ryan-reynolds-of-defamation-and-libel-over-nic-cage-3261537/[3] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/10/arts/justin-baldoni-vs-deadpool-wolverine-dispute.html[4] https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/11/entertainment/justin-baldoni-ryan-reynolds-blake-lively-lawsuit/index.html[5] https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/05/justin-baldoni-deadpool-wolverine-lawsuit-trying-to-mock-me
- Justin Baldoni is involved in a legal dispute with Marvel, Ryan Reynolds, and Blake Lively over the character "Nicepool" from Deadpool & Wolverine.
- Marvel has requested a protective order to protect their confidential documents from Baldoni's lawsuit.
- Baldoni's legal team alleges that Nicepool could be a jab at Baldoni, implying it was created with malice.
- Marvel maintains that the documents requested are off-limits due to their association with an ongoing movie franchise and their sensitive nature.
- Baldoni, who is a vocal advocate for feminism and on-set ethics, found the portrayal of Nicepool offensive, especially considering Blake Lively's previous harassment allegations.
- Baldoni's lawyers aim to use Marvel's documents to prove Reynolds' remarks about him are defamatory, which is essential for defamation claims.
- The outcome of the dispute hinges on whether courts deem Nicepool a malicious portrayal or protected satire, with Baldoni's demand for Marvel's internal documents being a significant battleground in the entertainment world.
