Newly unsealed court documents have shed light on the intense behind-the-scenes efforts made by actor Ryan Reynolds to protect his wife, Blake Lively. This occurred during the public backlash surrounding their film It Ends With Us. Private message exchanges made public show Reynolds directly criticizing Sony Pictures and urging studio executives to step up and defend his wife publicly in August 2024.
The documents emerged as part of the broader legal battle between Lively and director-costar Justin Baldoni. They capture Reynolds venting his frustration to author Colleen Hoover and talent agent Warren Zavala. At the time, Lively faced severe online scrutiny regarding her promotional tour for the domestic violence drama, with critics focusing on her marketing style and dual promotion of lifestyle brands.
Inside Ryan Reynolds’ Text Messages to Sony Pictures
According to the unsealed court filings, Reynolds expressed outrage over the studio’s initial silence regarding the negative press campaign targeting Lively. In an August 17, 2024, exchange with talent agent Warren Zavala, the Deadpool actor demanded that Sony take immediate, aggressive action to manage the narrative.
“They need to frame it the right way! This isn’t hard. The sentence needs to start with… feels like they’re trying to thread the needle. They just need to go f-king straight at this,” Reynolds texted Zavala, suggesting the studio blame the negative coverage on a coordinated crisis PR campaign.
Reynolds argued that Sony was leaving the Gossip Girl star completely exposed, calling their inaction “unforgivable.” He revealed he had even drafted his own public statement for the studio to release, though it was never used. “This needs to be addressed immediately. This is the most disturbing thing I’ve ever seen in this business,” Reynolds wrote, adding that Sony “needs to step up for real. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.”
Backlash and the Broader Legal Dispute
The text messages predate Lively’s formal complaint filed in December 2024 against Justin Baldoni. In that complaint, she accused her costar and director of sexual harassment and orchestrating a retaliatory smear campaign. Baldoni has consistently denied all allegations of misconduct.
Representatives for Reynolds have defended the actor’s aggressive involvement. They stated that any supportive husband would step up when seeing his partner face retaliation for standing against workplace harassment. Meanwhile, legal teams for Baldoni have argued that the unsealed documents show standard Hollywood crisis management and do not validate Lively’s legal claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were Ryan Reynolds’ text messages about Blake Lively unsealed?
The private text messages and communications were unsealed and made public as part of ongoing court filings in late 2025 and early 2026.
Who were the recipients of Ryan Reynolds’ private messages?
Reynolds exchanged messages with talent agent Warren Zavala, It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover, and close friends including Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso.
Why was Blake Lively facing public backlash in August 2024?
Lively faced heavy online criticism during the press tour for It Ends With Us due to her promotional style for the domestic violence drama. Critics claimed this style downplayed the film’s serious themes.
What did Ryan Reynolds want Sony Pictures to do?
Reynolds pressured Sony executives to issue public statements defending Lively. He also wanted them to actively push back against negative narratives he claimed were generated by a coordinated crisis PR team.
How did Justin Baldoni respond to the allegations?
Justin Baldoni has denied all allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, and involvement in a smear campaign. He launched counter-lawsuits against Lively and other figures.
