Justin Baldoni has included Ryan Reynolds in his $250 million libel lawsuit against the New York Times. In the 87-page complaint submitted to the Los Angeles Superior Court, the 40-year-old claims that the Deadpool actor “berated” him for “fat-shaming” Blake Lively, a charge that Baldoni, who directed It Ends With Us, has denied. The filing from Tuesday also accuses the publication of misleading the public by depending on the Gossip Girl star's “unverified” story.

Justin Baldoni says that Ryan Reynolds called him out for 'fat-shaming' Blake Lively

A lawsuit has been brought against Baldoni and nine other plaintiffs, which includes publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, along with producers Jamey Heath and Steve Sarowitz from It Ends with Us. According to court documents, the filmmaker has some back problems, which led him to ask about Lively's weight to ensure he could safely lift her during a scene where his character, Ryle, would do just that.

Unfortunately, Baldoni's question, which he thought was reasonable and made in good faith, got back to Lively. She then told her husband about it. The filing states that the confrontation that ensued was so intense that Baldoni felt he had to apologize multiple times, even though his inquiry was perfectly valid. After this incident, Lively decided not to go through with the lift scene, even though they had already practiced it with a stunt double.”

Baldoni alleged that just weeks before the New York City premiere of It Ends With Us, Reynolds “harshly criticized Baldoni during a meeting at their penthouse in New York, accusing him of ‘fat shaming’ Lively.” To “prevent any more conflict” with the couple and to “mend his relationship with co-star” Lively, Baldoni “kept giving in to her demands,” according to the lawsuit.

Moreover, Baldoni's legal team argues that the “inappropriate and humiliating criticism” he faced was “delivered, possibly on purpose, while other celebrity friends were coming and going from their penthouse.” The filing states that this was “triggered by Baldoni's reasonable request for important information needed to ensure safety and prevent injury during a scene,” as reported by USA Today.

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