We’ve got a Hollywood hair-raising scandal on our hands. Justin Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freeman, just went on The Megyn Kelly Show to address a juicy internet rumor involving Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, and a certain bun-wielding Deadpool variant named “Nicepool.” Yes, this is real life.
The Scene of the (Alleged) Shade
Apparently, while Ryan Reynolds was busy juggling chimichangas and superhero hijinks in Deadpool & Wolverine, a new character graced the screen: Nicepool. Played by Reynolds himself, Nicepool rocked a man bun—a hairstyle Justin Baldoni practically has trademarked—and dropped a line about “Ladypool” (Blake Lively’s presumed alter ego in this cinematic multiverse of madness).
In a moment dripping with eyebrow-raising innuendo, Nicepool gushed, “Oh my goodness, wait til you’ve seen Ladypool. She is gorgeous. She just had a baby too, and [you] can’t even tell.” Cue Deadpool awkwardly reminding Nicepool that, uh, maybe don’t say that? Nicepool, doubling down on audacity, puts a hand over his (apparently feminist) heart and declares, “That’s OK. I identify as a feminist.” Because nothing says equality like unsolicited commentary on postpartum bodies, amirite?
The Internet Detectives Assemble
Naturally, the internet, which can spot shade from 20 miles away, decided this was totally a dig at Justin Baldoni. The man bun? The comment about pregnancy? Too much coincidence, not enough plausible deniability.
But wait, there’s more! Enter Bryan Freeman, Baldoni’s lawyer-slash-crusader for justice. When asked if this Deadpool scene was throwing some cinematic side-eye at Justin, Freeman didn’t hold back. “There’s no question it relates to Justin,” he declared, practically pointing at Ryan Reynolds through the screen. “The hair bun, the pregnancy comment—it’s pretty obvious what’s being done here.”
Serious Talk from Freeman
Freeman wasn’t laughing (though the rest of us definitely are). “What I make of that is this: if your wife is sexually harassed, you don’t make fun of the person standing up for her. You don’t mock the situation. You take it seriously, file HR complaints, and follow a legal process.” A solid point, but also, this is Deadpool—the same guy who uses a unicorn plushie as a prop. Seriousness isn’t exactly his vibe.
Freeman doubled down, adding, “Sexual harassment is a serious issue, and turning it into a punchline is just not it.” Fair, but also: was Ryan Reynolds just being Ryan Reynolds, or did Nicepool really moonlight as Shadepool? We may never know.
The Takeaway
While the internet continues to play detective, and Freeman goes full courtroom drama, Ryan Reynolds has yet to confirm or deny the alleged jab. Baldoni, meanwhile, is probably somewhere twirling his man bun, wondering how he became the star of Deadpool’s subplot.
One thing’s for sure: Hollywood feuds are way more fun when superhero costumes and man buns are involved.
