Justin Baldoni Claims Ryan Reynolds Inspired Character in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ During Production

In a rather bold assertion, Justin Baldoni has claimed that the character Nicepool from the upcoming *Deadpool & Wolverine* movie, played by Ryan Reynolds, was inspired by him. If this allegation holds any truth, it suggests that the creative team behind the film must have made intentional adjustments to the character during its development.

Baldoni’s assertion is being amplified by his attorney, Bryan Freedman, who points to Nicepool’s appearance—specifically, his man bun—and his offhanded sexist remarks within the movie as evidence of this alleged connection. Freedman argues that these characteristics are direct references to Baldoni.

During an appearance on The Megyn Kelly Show, Freedman emphasized, “If your wife is sexually harassed, you don’t make fun of Justin Baldoni. There’s no question it relates to Justin. I mean, anybody that watched that hair bun — if somebody is seriously sexually harassed, you don’t make fun of it. It’s a serious issue.” This statement attempts to underscore the seriousness of the allegations against Baldoni while drawing unwarranted parallels to a fictional character’s traits.

It’s important to note that *Deadpool & Wolverine* has been in production since October 2022, with filming having concluded in January 2024. Interestingly, Blake Lively reportedly held a meeting regarding Baldoni’s actions in early January 2024, leading to speculation about the timeline of events surrounding the film’s production. In November 2023, Lively’s legal team presented Wayfarer Studios with a list of 17 stipulations she required before resuming her role.

This leads to the pivotal question: Did the filmmakers of *Deadpool & Wolverine* alter Nicepool’s character during filming to reflect Baldoni as a response to these events? It’s worth noting that Baldoni was not involved with the movie *It Ends With Us* until January 2023, several months after principal photography on *Deadpool & Wolverine* had commenced. Such a claim raises skepticism about the likelihood of an entire character being reworked solely as a slight toward Baldoni.

Nicepools Finish Last

In a twist of irony, Freedman’s comments inadvertently highlight pre-existing tensions that Blake Lively may have had with Baldoni during the film’s production. Since *Deadpool & Wolverine* wrapped before much of the filming for *It Ends With Us* due to the WGA and SAG strikes, it seems implausible that the creative team would have concocted Nicepool as a direct commentary on Baldoni late into the production process.

Even if it were true that the character was designed to poke fun at Baldoni, the question remains: why would he openly claim such a connection? Nicepool embodies the stereotype of a “nice guy”who unsuccessfully tries to project an image of progressive values while making insensitive comments. If anyone were to find themselves compared to such a character, one would think it prudent to avoid accepting that image.

It’s notable that many internet users have drawn parallels between Nicepool’s persona and allegations concerning Baldoni’s behavior. However, constantly addressing every allegation or theory circulating online could prove to be an exercise in futility. Perhaps this situation suggests that Baldoni should reconsider his approach and the implications of claiming a resemblance to a character like Nicepool.

Source & Images