Marvel fans have been posting new theories online about Ryan Reynolds’ portrayal of the character Nicepool in 2024 hit Deadpool & Wolverine, believing it may be an unflattering portrayal of It Ends With Us star Justin Baldoni.
READ MORE: ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ review: a sarky, time-skipping superhero send-up
In the film, Nicepool is a seemingly more agreeable variant of the lead character, and a lot of the speculation stems from the characters mannerisms, hairstyle, and particularly his assertion of progressive beliefs that contradict his actions.
When Nicepool first appears he makes a comment on the character Ladypool’s (Blake Lively) body. When Deadpool (also Reynolds) asks if he’s sure he’s allowed to say that, Nicepool replies “It’s OK, I identify as a feminist”.
Online theories posit that the character may be based on Baldoni, who is in a legal battle with Reynolds’ wife, Blake Lively. The two starred in romantic drama It Ends With Us, and recently Lively launched a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment by Baldoni on the set of the film, as well as claiming he conducted a smear campaign against her.
Denying the accusations, Baldoni has launched a lawsuit against The New York Times, who reported the case, and has pledged to counter-sue his former co-star. His lawyer Bryan Freedman told CBS News that the newspaper “aided and abetted” a “smear campaign designed to revitalise Lively’s… floundering public image”.
With this in mind, social media users have theorised that Nicepool’s portrayal as an insincere feminist may be Reynolds’ caricature of Baldoni, and one post uses a deleted scene to further that idea. In the clip, Nicepool claims that his calling is “to one day host a podcast that monetises the women’s movement”. Baldoni co-hosts The Man Enough Podcast, which discusses modern masculinity. In the wake of Lively and Baldoni’s lawsuits, fellow host Liz Plank stepped down from the show.
Replying to @dadbod4life not even subtle! #deadpool #nicepool #justinbaldoni #blakelively #itendswithus
♬ original sound – Linda Landeros
On X (formerly Twitter), one post drew parallels between a scene in the film’s climactic battle and the feud. “NicePool gets killed by LadyPool in front of a freaking FLOWER SHOP???? ARE YOU KIDDING ME???” A flower shop is a key setting in It Ends With Us.
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OH MY GOD
WTF
Nice Pool gets killed by Lady Pool in front of a freaking FLOWER SHOP????
ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
Wow the animus that Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds had for Justin Baldoni is really astounding. pic.twitter.com/rxTjsYDlNA
— Colonel Kurtz -PopCulture/ Politics/ MarilynManson (@colonelkurtz99) January 7, 2025
Baldoni’s own attorney, Bryan Freedman, appeared on The Megyn Kelly Show saying he believes the character is based on his client.
“There’s no question it relates to Justin” he said, continuing “If someone is seriously sexually harassed you don’t make fun of it, it’s a serious issue.”
Was Ryan Reynolds taking a shot at Justin Baldoni with his “Nicepool” character in new “Deadpool” movie?
Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman: “There’s no question it relates to Justin…If someone is seriously sexually harassed you don’t make fun of it, it’s a serious issue.”… pic.twitter.com/vuDgShvK84
— The Megyn Kelly Show (@MegynKellyShow) January 8, 2025
Recently, a new look at the Deadpool & Wolverine script looked at another scene that didn’t make the cut, poking fun at parent studio Disney’s mascot Mickey Mouse.
The post Deadpool fans think Ryan Reynolds’ Nicepool is a Justin Baldoni reference appeared first on NME.