Did Ryan Reynolds Just Take Another Jab At Justin Baldoni?

First, Ryan Reynolds took a jab at Justin Baldoni in Deadpool & Wolverine… allegedly. And now he seemingly has done it again, this time in a speech?!

On Tuesday, the actor served as a presenter at the National Board of Review Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. This marked the first time he has stepped out in public since his wife Blake Lively sued Justin, accusing the It Ends With Us director of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her. Meanwhile, Justin filed a libel lawsuit against The New York Times for how they covered her accusations — and he’s bringing receipts to try to prove she’s lying! It’s a messy situation, and we expect a lot more to come as the Jane The Virgin alum plans to sue Blake next.

Ryan could stay out of it… but nope! He appears to be adding to the drama since he couldn’t help but sneak in a dig about Justin during his speech this week! He told the audience while introducing honoree Wicked, which was named the best movie of 2024:

“Wicked is indeed wicked. It dares to center on two powerful women. It examines a nuanced, complex relationship which has resonated with people for over two decades on stage. Stories about women seem to be held to a different set of standards, and that is to say that they’re often held to the standards women are held to in life. You must be perfect. You must must hide your strength. You must shape-shift or placate.”

Women are held to “a different set of standards” in life? “You must be perfect”? All this sounds a lot like a response to everything going on right now! Blake’s past has come up a lot over the past few months as old interviews of her displaying rude behavior resurfaced online amid her rift with Justin. And it’s been used against her amid her lawsuit battle with the director, as people are trying to say her mean girl rep somehow prove she’s lying about her claims. We love how he has her back here!

He added what comes across as a jab at Sony and Baldoni next, saying:

“But Donna Langley and Universal, they know where and with whom to place their trust, and it paid off in this film.”

Oh, do they?? Someone who isn’t a jerk, he means? Look, we’re WAY reading between the lines here, but how can you not at this point, right??

Ryan Reynolds presents best film to #WickedMovie at the National Board of Review Awards pic.twitter.com/hAQcwBAEHZ

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 8, 2025