Ryan Reynolds Calls Out Industry for Holding Women to a “Different Set of Standards” at the National Board of Review Awards

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At the National Board of Review Awards gala held on January 7, 2025, Ryan Reynolds was spotted presenting the award for Best Film to “Wicked.” According to Variety, this marked his first public appearance since Blake Lively filed a formal complaint against Justin Baldoni, the director and co-star of “It Ends With Us.” Some believe that her past experience may have influenced some aspects of Reynolds’ speech during the event.

Reynolds spoke to a gathering that counted among its members Cynthia Erivo, an alum from the musical “Wicked”, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater, and director Jon M. Chu. He declared:

Reynolds spoke to a group that had some familiar faces like Cynthia Erivo (from “Wicked”), Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater, and director Jon M. Chu in it. He made the following statement:

‘Wicked’ is truly wicked, as it boldly focuses on two strong female characters. It delves into a multifaceted, intricate bond that has captivated audiences for more than two decades on stage… It appears that stories revolving around women are judged by a unique set of criteria, which can be interpreted as them being regularly evaluated based on the standards women face in real life. They must be flawless. They must conceal their power. They must adapt or appease.

Using these phrases, the actor from Deadpool and Wolverine might just as well have been referring to Lively, who has proven resilient by persisting in her legal battle against Baldoni and his attempts to tarnish her reputation. Interestingly, Baldoni also implicated Reynolds in his $250 million lawsuit against the New York Times for defamation, asserting that Reynolds harshly reprimanded him over accusations of body-shaming Lively.

Indeed, it’s not just Lively who has faced a metaphorical public shaming for speaking up about sexual harassment and problematic work environments. Kate Beckinsale, another actress, commended Lively’s courage and shared her own experiences with Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, noting that such encounters are regrettably common not only in Hollywood but also elsewhere in the industry.

Reynolds Believes There is “Inherent Sexism in the Business” of Filmmaking

On previous occasions, Reynolds has expressed strong opinions about women’s roles in society, particularly within the film industry. During an interview with SiriusXM (as shared by Marie Claire Australia), it was disclosed that many of the jokes attributed to him in his movies were initially proposed by Lively.

There’s a considerable amount of top-notch writing I’ve produced that was really authored by Blake. He’d often swoop in, snatch the keyboard, and suggest, “How about trying this?” To which I’d typically respond, “Wow, that’s amazing!

In the movie ‘Deadpool’, she has been incredibly helpful, contributing to its many successful runs, just like she has with other hit films… She’s always full of tricks up her sleeve, much like having a multitude of bricks in that wall.

In my perspective, I’ve often attributed the lack of recognition for Lively’s significant input in our films to an underlying sexism within the industry. I’d frequently inform directors and producers that it was actually Lively who penned a specific scene, but it was always me who would be given the credit.

Reynolds expressed that often, he would clarify situations by stating, “‘That wasn’t me who wrote it, it was Blake.’ Yet, people seem to persist in retelling the tale as if I were the author.

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2025-01-09 03:31