Hugh Jackman Jokes He Needs Ryan Reynolds' Permission To Touch Blake Lively

Hugh Jackman has cracked a joke about needing Ryan Reynolds' explicit permission before touching Blake Lively, hours after the actress settled her lawsuit against Justin Baldoni.

The 57-year-old Australian star admitted he was compelled to assist the 'stunning' actress with a wardrobe malfunction at the Met Gala on Monday night. Lively arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York just hours following the humiliation of finalizing the legal battle with her *It Ends With Us* co-star. She ascended the museum's steps wearing a dazzling 2006 Versace gown.

Jackman, who attended the gala alongside partner Sutton Foster, revealed that Blake requested his help to fasten the dress away from the red carpet. He then joked about seeking Reynolds' approval first, confessing: 'I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't say this'.

Promoting his new film in the US on NBC's *The Today Show*, Jackman recounted the incident: 'My good friend Blake Lively said "Dude I need some help with a dress. There is a hook in there".'

Mimicking a text message exchange, he continued: 'And I'm like "Ryan is this cool - I'm just checking - are we good?" And he [Ryan Reynolds] said: "Go for it brother".'

Jackman praised his friend's appearance, adding: 'She was stunning. Always stunning'.

The two men share a close bond after co-starring in 2024's *Deadpool & Wolverine*. Viewers immediately connected Jackman's anecdote to Blake's case against Mr Baldoni, whom she accused of 'unwanted touching' and sexual harassment on the set of their 2024 film.

Jackman's story emerged after Jamey Heath, co-founder of Wayfarer Studios, claimed that Jackman and Taylor Swift were allegedly witnesses when Reynolds confronted Baldoni over allegations he fat-shamed Lively. Blake's deposition denied these claims, stating that only she, her husband, and Justin were present during the 'conversation … about my weight.'

A star from *It Ends With Us* hailed the conclusion of the lawsuit, accusing Lively of breaking her friend's 'big heart'. Adam Mondschein, who played a doctor in the movie's famous birth scene, suggested Lively would face turmoil after the case settled on the eve of a New York trial.

'I can't imagine what it must be like to be inside of her mind', Mondschein said. 'I have very firm feelings about the actions that she took and she hurt my friend and has been hurting my friend. I think he really wants to tell his story, and he deserves to be heard. To let sunlight in on this, has been the thing that I feel her camp has been avoiding.'

Mondschein revealed he even advocated for Lively to secure the role of Lily Bloom, telling Baldoni she was 'perfect' for the part, only for her to blow up the project and 'hurt his friend'.

Addressing her allegations regarding Baldoni, including claims of harassment and sexual misconduct on the set of the hit movie, Mondschein stated: 'It is unbearable when someone misjudges you, when someone takes you out of context.

It was always just a case of him being a bit cheesy, nothing more." That is the only charge against Blake Lively in Adam Mondschein's eyes.

Mr Mondschein has spoken with Justin Baldoni since the settlement wrapped up. His friend feels relief now, yet frustration that he never got a day in court.

On Piers Morgan's Uncensored show, Adam claimed the brutal legal battle broke his buddy's big heart.

The Daily Mail reported that Ms Lively received zero dollars from Justin after settling her lawsuit against his film company, Wayfarer. She had originally demanded $300 million in damages.

Piers Morgan told Adam there should be no sympathy for Blake, calling the damage to her reputation entirely self-inflicted.

Adam Mondschein responded simply: "I feel sorry for her ultimately."

Photos show Justin smiling with his devoted wife, Emily, 41, on Wednesday. Yet his friend Adam says the case took a massive toll on the actor and director.

"He has the biggest heart of any person I've ever met," Adam said. "He is overwhelmed. I think the burden on his family is heavy, dragged into the public eye in a taxing way."

Adam Mondschein added that he cannot imagine what it is like to be inside her mind.

He played a doctor in the movie's famous birth scene. He also felt insulted when the actress dragged him into the proceedings.

Mr Mondschein played Doctor Dunbar in the hospital scene near the end when Lily gives birth.

Ms Lively later claimed in her lawsuit that Justin made her uncomfortable by casting him because Adam was his friend. She also said it was invasive and humiliating to have his face and hands close as she acted out giving birth.

Reacting to that, Mr Mondschein laughed and said, "It is insulting."

"The irony is that I was so far away that she would have had to shoot the baby at velocity for me to catch," he said. "That's how far away I was."

"It's for a movie. It's not real. None of it is real."

"She's in Time magazine's top hundred most influential people. She had all of the power of a star in the room."

Piers asked if Justin's heart got broken by the whole process.

"I think so. It's been weighing on him," Adam replied. "The hardest thing for me is watching my friend wear the pain."

Describing his friend, he said Justin is so pure in an industry that is so sceptical, selfish, nepotistic, and narcissistic. He truly means what he says.

He possesses the biggest heart of any person I've ever met."

Yesterday, Justin Baldoni stepped into the public eye for the first time since concluding his protracted legal battle with *It Ends With Us* co-star Blake Lively, appearing alongside his wife, Emily, in Nashville.

However, the resolution of the dispute brought a startling revelation to light: according to reports from the Daily Mail, Blake Lively received not a single dollar from Justin Baldoni following the settlement of her lawsuit against his film production company, Wayfarer.

Despite Lively's assertions that she suffered nearly $300 million in lost earnings and income after falling victim to an alleged "smear campaign," no financial transaction occurred in the final agreement. Sources within Baldoni's camp expressed they were "ecstatic" with the outcome, a sentiment now evident as they avoided any monetary payout.

The shock of this zero-dollar settlement arrived just two weeks before the case was scheduled to proceed to trial in New York.

In a joint statement released by both parties, the narrative shifted to the idea that the filming of the movie "presented challenges" and acknowledged that Lively's "concerns deserved to be heard." Yet, the document offered no apology, instead urging everyone to move forward "in peace."

This absence of financial compensation stands in stark contrast to Lively's specific demands for restitution regarding damage to her reputation and her film career. In her court filings, the former *Gossip Girl* star alleged she lost as much as $40.5 million due to being branded a "mean girl" and a "bully."

She further claimed that the controversy caused her to miss out on up to $87.8 million in acting and endorsement opportunities. Additionally, she stated that up to $143.5 million in profits from her haircare and alcohol ranges were supposedly lost following the controversy surrounding the film.

Conversely, Baldoni's legal team dismissed these figures as "pie in the sky" estimates, arguing that Lively's reputation had already been compromised by her own actions.