Introduction

In a bold declaration during a recent episode of 'The Joe Rogan Experience,' Joe Rogan voiced his support for Justin Baldoni amidst a tumultuous legal skirmish involving his 'It Ends With Us' co-star, Blake Lively, and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. Rogan pointedly stated that Lively and Reynolds 'screwed up' in their attempts to undermine the 'sweet, nice guy' Baldoni.

Rogan's Support for Baldoni

Rogan elaborated, stating, 'They were trying to take over the movie and the franchise. The whole thing is insane.' He further highlighted Baldoni's legal maneuvers, including a lawsuit against The New York Times and Lively's allegations, which he believes bolster Baldoni's case. According to Rogan, the issue escalated after Lively had reportedly asked Baldoni to enter her dressing room during her breastfeeding sessions, a detail that became pivotal in her complaint against him.

Concerns About Celebrity Intimidation

Rogan emphasized that exchanges between the parties exist, which Lively and Reynolds may not have anticipated would come to light. 'Everyone’s scared of them. Ryan and Blake are A-list,' he stated, implying that their celebrity status could intimidate others involved.

Timeline of Events

The controversy began when Lively filed a letter with the California Civil Rights Department in December, claiming that Baldoni had sexually harassed her during production. This complaint formed the basis of a New York Times article that sparked an ongoing back-and-forth between Lively and Baldoni, claiming he was conducting a smear campaign against her during the film's promotional phase.

Legal Actions Taken

On New Year’s Eve, Baldoni, alongside nine other plaintiffs—including his crisis publicist Melissa Nathan—filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times, contesting the publication of Lively's allegations. In retaliation, Lively responded by suing Baldoni and his team for violating federal and California state laws related to workplace safety and sexual harassment reporting.

Escalation of the Legal Battle

As the legal battle intensified, Baldoni escalated matters further by suing Lively and Reynolds for a staggering $400 million, alleging civil extortion, defamation, and other transgressions. This lawsuit also included accusations that Reynolds used his character Nicepool from the 'Deadpool & Wolverine' franchise to satirize Baldoni’s 'woke feminist' image, which Reynolds's legal team dismissed, arguing that such claims stemmed from 'thin-skinned outrage' rather than substantial grievances.

Conclusion

With both sides firmly entrenched in their positions, the dynamics of Hollywood power plays and legal entanglements have taken center stage. As this sensational legal drama unfolds, many are left asking: What will be the ultimate fallout for these A-list stars?