Days after Ryan Reynolds made a joke about he and his wife Blake Lively’s legal troubles on the Saturday Night Live fiftieth anniversary special, the It Ends With Us actress filed an amended complaint against her co-star and director Justin Baldoni.
It marks the latest turn in the ongoing court drama between the two that began when Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department in December claiming Baldoni sexually harassed her during filming and retaliated against her after she raised issues about his on-set behavior.
On New Year’s Eve, the actress formally filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York against Baldoni, his publicist, his production company (Wayfarer Studios), and other defendants for “retaliating against her for reporting sexual harassment and workplace safety concerns.”
That same day, Baldoni responded with a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times for its reporting on Lively’s allegations. He followed it up in January with a $400 million suit against Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist, accusing them of extortion and defamation, among other claims.
Laughing Matter?
During the SNL special on Sunday, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler took to the stage and called on celebrities in the audience for a Q&A session. When Reynolds raised his hand, Fey and Poehler asked how he was doing. “[I’m doing] great,” he replied. “Why? What have you heard?”
Lively remained stone-faced next to him during the bit, which quickly came under fire. Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman (who also represents Megyn) expressed his surprise at the quip during an appearance on Hot Mics with Billy Bush on Monday.
“I’m unaware of anybody, frankly, whose wife has been sexually harassed and has made jokes about that type of situation. I can’t think of anyone who’s done anything like that,” Freedman said. “So it surprised me.”
The Amended Complaint
Lively, however, appears to be doubling down her allegations. Late Tuesday, the actress filed an amended complaint in New York federal court, in which she claimed multiple women felt uncomfortable on the set of It Ends With Us as a result of Baldoni’s behavior.
The filing said the unnamed women experienced “fear” of coming forward and remain anonymous in the complaint to protect their privacy. But Lively said the witnesses will testify and cooperate with the discovery process.
Additionally, the actress is now saying she “confided” in a friend who also knew Baldoni that he was acting like a “creep” towards her. In the May 2023 text messages, Lively told the unnamed female friend that she “cried” after work because of Baldoni and Wayfarer co-producer Jamey Heath. “It’s shocking. Clowns,” she concluded.
Baldoni’s attorney dismissed the updated complaint saying it lacks evidence. “Our clients have taken this matter and these issues very seriously notwithstanding the jokes made publicly by the plaintiff and her husband,” Freedman said in a statement. “Her underwhelming amended complaint is filled with unsubstantial hearsay of unnamed persons who are clearly no longer willing to come forward or publicly support her claims.”
“Since documents do not lie and people do, the upcoming depositions of those who initially supported Ms. Lively’s false claims and those who are witnesses to her own behavior will be enlightening,” he continued. “What is truly uncomfortable here is Ms. Lively’s lack of actual evidence.”
Last week, both sides agreed they are not interested in mediation to settle the dueling lawsuits. A judge has scheduled a trial for March 2026.
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