Ryan Reynolds Career Is Shaky After ‘It Ends With Us’ Scandal

Ryan Reynolds may still be putting on a brave public face, but behind the scenes, the fallout from the “It Ends With Us” controversy may be creating new challenges for his career.

The actor became caught up in the drama surrounding his wife Blake Lively and her legal battle with Justin Baldoni, with his involvement in the movie and its aftermath drawing criticism.

Now, concerns are emerging that the controversy may have damaged some of the industry confidence Reynolds previously enjoyed. This can potentially complicate his efforts to expand beyond his established projects and achieve some of his biggest career ambitions.

Reynolds’ involvement in the “It Ends With Us” scandal appears to have affected how some people in Hollywood view him. Although the actor maintained his usual upbeat demeanor during Comic Con this summer, a source claimed the situation behind the scenes has been considerably more difficult.

“Sure, Ryan was all smiles and jokes at Comic Con this summer, but it’s a much darker time than he’s letting on,” the insider said. According to the source, Reynolds has privately acknowledged that rebuilding the level of trust he once enjoyed within the industry could take years.

Part of the backlash surrounding Reynolds emerged after Lively revealed that her husband rewrote the movie’s well-known rooftop scene. He also faced criticism over an email he sent to “It Ends With Us” author Colleen Hoover following the film’s 2024 release. With the controversy continuing to follow him, the source said Reynolds now has “some serious rebuilding to do.”

Reynolds’ Hollywood Career Could Face A Setback

Beyond the damage to his reputation, Reynolds may face difficulties securing the same level of creative freedom he previously enjoyed. His extensive involvement in the production and the dispute that followed has allegedly made some industry figures more hesitant about giving him significant control over future projects.

“His significant involvement with the difficult It Ends With Us production and aftermath has made people wary of him,” the source claimed, adding that people are now less willing than they were several years ago to give Reynolds and his company ‘total creative control’ over a project.

The actor still has major work underway, including writing another “Deadpool Adventure” and developing a sailing reality show with Hugh Jackman. However, the insider questioned why the romantic comedies and action dramas that once formed a broader part of Reynolds’ career are no longer coming as they once did.

That narrowing of opportunities could be concerning as Reynolds looks toward the next stage of his career. As the source put it, “He doesn’t want to be still playing Deadpool when he’s 70, that’s for sure!”

Reynolds’ Oscar Dream May Prove Difficult

The controversy could also complicate one of Reynolds’ long-held ambitions, which is getting recognition at the Academy Awards. According to the source, the actor entered the entertainment business with goals that extended beyond commercial success and included eventually winning an Oscar.

“Ryan grew up wanting to make a fortune and win Oscars, but the prestige projects are not materializing,” the insider said.

His personality may also be creating challenges when it comes to potential collaborations. The insider claimed some filmmakers are “downright scared of Ryan” because of what was described as his “domineering and exacting personality.”

Justin Baldoni’s Lawsuit Against Ryan Reynolds

Justin Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios filed a $400 million countersuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of claims including civil extortion and defamation amid their dispute over “It Ends With Us.”

Baldoni’s side also alleged that Reynolds and Lively used the actress’s accusations to gain greater control, claiming they “exploited Lively’s false insinuations” to obtain “power and authority to which they were not entitled.”

Reynolds denied the allegations and sought to have the claims against him thrown out, with his legal team arguing that Baldoni had failed to establish a valid case against him.

Ryan Reynolds Makes A Plan To Have The Lawsuit Dismissed

Reynolds sought to have Baldoni’s claims against him dismissed, with his attorneys arguing that the director could not pursue legal action simply over ‘hurt feelings.’ The dispute included Baldoni’s allegations surrounding Reynolds’ comments about him and claims that the Nicepool character in “Deadpool & Wolverine” was created to mock him.

Baldoni also accused Reynolds of calling him a ‘sexual predator.’ Reynolds’ legal team defended his comments as protected opinion, arguing that the actor had a First Amendment right to hold Baldoni in ‘deep disdain.’

His attorneys further maintained that Reynolds believed the allegations his wife had made about Baldoni and therefore had the right to express his opinion about the filmmaker based on that information. They argued that Baldoni’s lawsuit failed to establish grounds for holding Reynolds legally responsible for those views.