What to watch
Best streaming guide in the US
Newly unsealed legal documents have revealed private text messages between Ryan Reynolds and his talent agent, Warren Zavala.
The exchange, which dates back to August 2024, provides a candid look at Ryan's reaction to the public friction between his wife, Blake Lively, and her It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni.
In the messages, Ryan draws a direct comparison between their situation and the infamous legal battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.
The conversation began with Zavala criticizing Baldoni's PR strategy, calling it a "trap" designed to promote a specific narrative.
Ryan expressed confidence that the truth would eventually surface and "blow up" in Baldoni's face.
However, when his agent suggested they should let the rumors "burn" without a public response, Ryan pushed back.
He referenced the fallout of the Depp-Heard trial, asking, "How’d that work out for Depp??" This comment suggests Ryan feared that staying silent could lead to long-term reputational damage similar to what the Pirates of the Caribbean star faced.
The leaked messages also feature harsh descriptions of Baldoni. Zavala referred to the director as an "egotistical s*** weasel with a god complex."
Ryan joined in the criticism, famously labeling Baldoni a "human rounding error."
These unsealed texts surfaced as part of ongoing legal discussions surrounding the marketing and production of It Ends With Us, a project that faced numerous reports of creative differences and behind-the-scenes tension.
While the Depp comparison highlights Ryan's protective nature over Blake's career, it also shows the high stakes involved in modern Hollywood PR battles.
Johnny Depp's career took a significant hit before his recent resurgence, and Ryan clearly wanted to avoid a similar "cratering" for Blake.
As these messages become public, they add another layer to the complicated narrative surrounding the film and the relationship between its lead actors.
