Justin Baldoni Continues to Compare Himself to Nicepool

Justin Baldoni recently sparked a conversation when he suggested that the character Nicepool in the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine may be a mocking representation of him. Despite his claims, this assertion raises more questions than answers, particularly about the relevance and origin of the character.

Currently embroiled in a legal dispute with his It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively, Baldoni has alleged that the Nicepool, a variant portrayed by Ryan Reynolds, is inspired by him. The timeline of events surrounding the creation of the character is murky, with uncertainties regarding when Baldoni and Reynolds first met and when the script was written. However, if Baldoni’s theory holds any weight, it occupies the realm of parody, which complicates his position further.

One must ponder why Baldoni is drawing attention to a character that seemingly had no associations with him until now. The notion of parody in this context could be interpreted as Baldoni inadvertently revealing his own perspective on masculinity, particularly regarding his self-identification with the character.

In an intriguing twist, Baldoni has formally requested that Disney and Marvel Studios retain all documents related to Deadpool & Wolverine. As reported in an exclusive by Variety, this request was articulated in a letter addressed to key figures in the studios, including Marvel president Kevin Feige, Disney CEO Bob Iger, and director Tim Miller. The involvement of Miller, who has previously had creative disagreements with Reynolds, raises further questions about the motivations behind this letter.

The letter emphasizes Baldoni’s desire to keep track of when Nicepool was integrated into the script and any subsequent changes. Curiously, Miller was included in this request despite not being the main writer alongside Reynolds and other collaborators.

If Nicepool is Baldoni, that’s still not a legal issue

Baldoni’s rationale for pursuing this line of inquiry remains unclear. Allegations have surfaced regarding comments he made about Lively, which factor into the narrative. If Reynolds intended to poke fun at Baldoni based on his remarks about Lively’s appearance, he could be exercising his rights under parody law. Thus, the question arises: what exactly does Baldoni hope to achieve by asserting that Nicepool is based on him?

Moreover, it’s essential to recognize that the Deadpool franchise often engages in commentary about various archetypes of masculinity. Hence, Baldoni’s insistence on the character being based on him could inadvertently paint him as a self-portrayed “toxic feminist”—a label that deserves reflection.

Adding fuel to the fire, Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, made an appearance on The Megyn Kelly Show, where he stated, “There’s no question it relates to Justin. I mean, anybody that watched that hair bun.” He further criticized Reynolds for creating a character that seemingly mocks Lively’s allegations, claiming that serious matters of harassment should not be treated lightly. Such comments draw an interesting parallel; while mockery of perceived toxic masculinity might be acceptable, there is a distinct double standard at play.

In conclusion, if I were in Justin Baldoni’s position, I would consider stepping back from the Nicepool debate. His focus on this character may only reinforce the notion that he identifies with it too closely, resulting in public scrutiny. Ultimately, it’s worth recognizing that parody is protected, and continuing down this path may only raise more questions about his intentions.

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