Hugh Jackman took the stage at New York City’s iconic Radio City Music Hall on Friday night, performing his live show From New York, With Love. But amid the heartfelt performances and musical numbers, Jackman surprised the crowd by throwing some humorous shade at his longtime friend and co-star Ryan Reynolds.
The 56-year-old Australian actor, best known for his role as Wolverine in the X-Men franchise, recounted a funny yet telling moment from the set of Deadpool & Wolverine, the highly anticipated 2024 Marvel film. While Jackman praised the overall experience of filming the movie—describing it as “the time of my life”—he admitted there was one part that didn’t sit well with him.
“There was one little gripe,” Jackman told the audience, as captured in a video obtained by the Daily Mail. “I see the script, and I realize the only scene I’m not in is the opening musical number—an *NSYNC dance number… and it’s Ryan’s scene.”
As the crowd reacted with laughter, Jackman continued, joking about Reynolds’ dancing skills. “Now Ryan, he’s very talented, but dancing?” Jackman teased. “There is no way I would try and match Ryan’s dance double Nick Pauley… because the guy’s like 25 years old.”
In a classic Jackman move, the Broadway veteran decided to take matters into his own hands. To “rectify” the situation, he invited his longtime trainer and former professional dancer, Beth Lewis, onstage to perform the dance that got away. The duo launched into a lively performance of NSYNC’s 2000 pop hit “Bye Bye Bye,” sending the audience into a frenzy.
Longtime Friendship Between Jackman and Reynolds Still Going Strong
Despite the lighthearted roast, Jackman and Reynolds share a deep and well-known friendship that spans over a decade. The two actors have consistently supported each other’s projects and have even used their camaraderie in viral marketing campaigns—such as their hilarious feuds for Laughing Man Coffee and Aviation Gin.
In January 2025, Reynolds was present at the opening night of Jackman’s Broadway show, a gesture that many fans took as proof of their close bond. The playful teasing at Radio City Music Hall was just the latest display of their banter-filled relationship.
Legal Drama Casts a Shadow: Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni
However, the fun and games weren’t the only headlines involving Ryan Reynolds lately. Jackman’s comments came just months after his friend became involved—indirectly—in a serious legal controversy surrounding Reynolds’ wife, actress Blake Lively.
In December 2024, Lively filed a civil lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, her co-star and the director of the film adaptation of It Ends With Us, a romance drama based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel. In the suit, Lively accused Baldoni of repeated acts of sexual harassment, creating a toxic work environment, and engaging in retaliatory behavior after she allegedly rejected his advances.
The complaint, filed with the California Civil Rights Department, stated that Baldoni’s behavior caused “emotional distress” and contributed to a “hostile and unsafe work environment.” Lively’s legal team also alleged that the production company failed to take proper disciplinary action after internal complaints were made.
Baldoni Fires Back: Countersues Lively, Reynolds, and Publicist for Defamation
Shortly after Lively’s lawsuit went public, Justin Baldoni responded with a dramatic move of his own. The 41-year-old actor and filmmaker filed a $400 million countersuit for defamation, civil extortion, and intentional interference with contractual relations. In his legal filing, Baldoni accused Lively, Reynolds, and their longtime publicist Leslie Sloane of deliberately attempting to destroy his reputation and sabotage the release of It Ends With Us.
According to Baldoni’s legal team, Lively’s accusations were a “fabrication” designed to give her creative control over the film’s post-production process. He claimed that the public release of the allegations just before the film’s final editing phase was a tactic meant to pressure producers into granting her more power behind the scenes.
The countersuit named Reynolds specifically, alleging that he used his media influence and online presence to amplify the controversy, adding more fuel to the media firestorm. Baldoni’s lawyers also accused Sloane of leaking private communications and defaming their client through orchestrated PR attacks.
Trial Date Set for March 2026: What to Expect
The legal battle is shaping up to be one of the most high-profile Hollywood trials in years. According to recent court filings, the trial is scheduled to begin in March 2026 in California Superior Court. Both parties have submitted extensive evidence, and depositions are expected to include testimonies from crew members, co-stars, producers, and possibly executives from Sony Pictures, which distributed the film.
Insiders familiar with the case say that the outcome could have lasting effects not only on the reputations of those involved but also on the film’s release strategy and how future misconduct allegations are handled in Hollywood.
Industry Reaction: Divided Opinions, Strong Support
Public opinion remains split, but many industry professionals have voiced support for Blake Lively. Author Colleen Hoover—whose novel the film is based on—has issued a public statement expressing her belief in Lively’s integrity. Meanwhile, representatives from SAG-AFTRA and Time’s Up have called for transparent legal proceedings and urged studios to protect whistleblowers.
On the other hand, Baldoni has received backing from several members of the It Ends With Us crew, some of whom have submitted sworn statements disputing the timeline of Lively’s allegations. Others have remained silent, likely waiting for the courtroom showdown to unfold.
A Tale of Two Stories: Humor and High Stakes
As Hugh Jackman’s tongue-in-cheek commentary continues to delight fans, the more serious legal conflict surrounding Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively continues to unfold in the background. While the dance number anecdote brought levity to the Marvel fandom, the lawsuit has cast a more somber tone over Reynolds’ public image.
Whether Jackman’s joke was a simple roast or a subtle nod to the storm his friend is weathering, it has certainly reignited public interest in both Deadpool & Wolverine and the controversy surrounding It Ends With Us.
The Information is Collected from Yahoo and NYPost.
