Ryan Reynolds accused of staging fan interaction amid Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni legal battle

Actor Ryan Reynolds is facing online speculation after being seen signing autographs in New York amid the ongoing legal drama involving his wife, Blake Lively, and her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni. According to Hindustan Times, social media users accused Reynolds of staging the outing as a form of "damage control" amid the controversy.

A paparazzo account first shared a video of Reynolds engaging with fans and signing Deadpool posters. While some saw it as a normal celebrity interaction, others questioned the authenticity of the moment. Comments on social media pointed out that all fans in the video seemingly had identical merchandise and blue-taped cardboard for autographs, sparking allegations that the scene was planned. Some users even joked that Reynolds had "hired actors" to boost his public image.

Adding to the controversy, one person in the crowd was heard shouting, "Justin is better," as Reynolds got into his car, further fueling speculation about tensions between the actors.

The incident comes just as Reynolds and Lively informed a federal judge of their intent to seek the dismissal of Baldoni’s defamation lawsuit against them. Publicist Leslie Sloane, also named in the lawsuit, filed a similar notice.

Lively originally sued Baldoni in December 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment and attempting to damage her reputation. In response, Baldoni countersued Lively, Reynolds, and The New York Times for civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy, seeking $400 million in damages.

The legal proceedings are set to begin on Monday, with the first trial hearings scheduled for March. Meanwhile, online debates continue regarding Reynolds' public appearance and whether it was a genuine fan moment or a calculated PR move.