Ryan Reynolds was spotted looking serious as he stepped out in New York City on Tuesday morning,

just days after a bombshell report claimed that he has been actively trying to gain support within Hollywood. 

The 48-year-old actor kept a low profile, sporting sunglasses and walking solo through the city,

following growing speculation about his involvement in the ongoing controversy surrounding It Ends With Us and its director, Justin Baldoni.

Reynolds Allegedly Rallying Support Amid Baldoni Controversy

According to a recent Hollywood Reporter cover story, Reynolds has been “extremely active” in recent weeks, reaching out to industry figures to drum up support amid the fallout from the It Ends With Us scandal. 

The controversy erupted after the New York Times published an exposé about Baldoni, 41, which ultimately led to him being dropped by talent agency WME—the same agency that represents both Reynolds and his wife, Blake Lively.

Baldoni, who co-stars in and directed the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, has also faced professional setbacks beyond losing his agency representation. His production company, Wayfarer Studios, which he co-founded with Steve Sarowitz, was cut loose from WME as well.

The swirling controversy surrounding Baldoni has now placed Reynolds in the spotlight, with reports suggesting that he has been working behind the scenes to help shift public perception. Neither Reynolds nor his representatives have publicly responded to the allegations.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ Return to the Spotlight

The growing scrutiny around Reynolds’ actions comes just after he and Lively made a high-profile public appearance at SNL50: The Anniversary Special on Sunday night. Their attendance at the event—marking Lively’s first red carpet appearance in two months—sparked a strong reaction from fans.

The couple was joined by an array of A-list celebrities, including Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kristen Wiig, Bill Murray, and Leslie Jones, at the milestone event celebrating Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary. However, their presence didn’t go unnoticed by social media users, who quickly began speculating that the couple was attempting to regain control of their public image following months of negative headlines.

Reynolds Addresses Controversy in SNL Sketch

During the SNL50 broadcast, Reynolds took part in a skit alongside Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, where he seemingly poked fun at the ongoing controversy.

In the sketch, Reynolds stood up from the audience alongside Lively and asked a question. Fey acknowledged him, saying, “Oh, Ryan Reynolds, how’s it going?”—to which the Deadpool star responded with a deadpan expression, “Great—why, what have you heard?”

The moment, which referenced the months of speculation and headlines surrounding It Ends With Us, immediately sparked reactions online. Many social media users viewed the joke as an attempt at damage control, with some accusing Reynolds and Lively of using their Hollywood influence to steer public sentiment in their favor.

Public Reaction to Reynolds and Lively’s SNL Appearance

Following the SNL50 special, online discussions intensified about Lively’s decision to step back into the public eye after staying out of the spotlight for months. Many fans were quick to call out her sudden reappearance, questioning whether it was strategically timed to soften the backlash surrounding It Ends With Us and Baldoni’s downfall.

While neither Reynolds nor Lively has directly addressed the Hollywood Reporter’s claims, their recent public moves have fueled ongoing speculation about their involvement behind the scenes.

What’s Next for Reynolds and Lively?

With It Ends With Us still generating controversy and Baldoni’s professional future uncertain, all eyes remain on Reynolds and Lively to see how they will navigate the situation moving forward. If the reports of Reynolds working behind the scenes to shift industry support are true, it raises questions about his motives and how Hollywood insiders are responding.

For now, Reynolds has remained silent on the matter, but his tense demeanor in New York City suggests that the pressure surrounding the situation is far from over.

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