A legal battle involving Disney, Marvel, Justin Baldoni, and Blake Lively has taken a contentious turn, with allegations that the character “Nicepool” from Deadpool & Wolverine was created to ridicule Baldoni. The dispute ties back to Lively’s accusations of harassment on a prior film set, adding further tension to an already volatile situation.
According to reports, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, Disney CEO Bob Iger, and director Tim Miller have been asked to preserve documents related to the development of “Nicepool,” a variant of Deadpool portrayed by Ryan Reynolds in the 2024 blockbuster. Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, issued a litigation hold letter on January 7, outlining claims against Reynolds, Lively, and unnamed parties. The letter demands the retention of materials potentially revealing a deliberate attempt to mock Baldoni through the Nicepool character.
Freedman alleges that the character’s appearance and behavior closely mimic Baldoni, referencing the portrayal’s signature hair bun as an unmistakable parallel. Freedman criticized Reynolds for trivializing Lively’s allegations of harassment, calling the alleged mockery inappropriate for a serious issue.
The character Nicepool, known for controversial remarks, even references Ladypool—played by Lively—making a comment about her “snapping back” post-pregnancy. The film further amplifies these themes with scenes highlighting misogyny, which Nicepool defends by claiming to “identify as a feminist.”
The case has escalated tensions, with Disney and Marvel being compelled to address whether the character’s creation involved intent to demean or intimidate Baldoni. Both the legal and entertainment worlds are closely watching as the dispute unfolds.
