In a dramatic turn in the ongoing legal feud between Hollywood stars, Justin Baldoni is pushing a New York judge to allow Blake Lively's substantial net worth—and that of her husband Ryan Reynolds—to be discussed during their upcoming trial. Baldoni argues that Lively's financial standing is central to the case, especially since she previously claimed to have lost millions due to his alleged actions.
According to court documents filed Friday, Baldoni contends that Lively's request to exclude her wealth from trial discussions is unreasonable. He points out that she herself introduced the topic by alleging a $161 million financial loss stemming from what she describes as a smear campaign orchestrated by him. Baldoni's legal team asserts that understanding her financial ecosystem, including Reynolds' earnings, is crucial for the jury to assess the validity of her claims.
"Her financial status and income streams are directly relevant because she alleged significant monetary damages," the documents state. "This includes considering her husband's career, as she typically avoids acting roles that conflict with his schedule—particularly when his projects command higher pay."
The couple's combined net worth is estimated at around $380 million, a figure Baldoni's team believes the jury should hear to contextualize the alleged losses. This move comes after the judge previously dismissed Lively's defamation claim, which Baldoni suggests makes her financial arguments even more pertinent to the remaining issues.
In another contentious request, Baldoni wants to bring Reynolds' character Nicepool from "Deadpool & Wolverine" into the trial. Lively had sought to bar this reference, but Baldoni claims the character parodies him, demonstrating that the couple engaged in bullying behavior. He argues this context explains why he hired a crisis management team—not, as Lively alleges, to retaliate against her.
"This portrayal in a major film shows my image was under assault," Baldoni states in the filings. "That's the sole reason for engaging crisis management, not any retaliatory motive."
Baldoni has also previously moved to exclude testimonies from actress Jenny Slate and author Colleen Hoover, dismissing their accounts as "a grab bag of awkward comments, minor confrontations, and perceived slights." The trial continues to shape up as a complex clash over reputation, finances, and Hollywood power dynamics.