Deadpool & Wolverine is already making headlines, but not just for its action-packed sequences. A joke in the film has led to speculation that Ryan Reynolds may have taken a subtle jab at Justin Baldoni.
Fans are debating whether the “Café Gratitude” reference in the movie was meant to mock Baldoni, who has been at the center of controversy due to his Baha’i faith and work philosophy.
The “Café Gratitude” Joke – A Hidden Dig?
In Deadpool & Wolverine, a scene shows Nicepool (a variant of Deadpool, also played by Reynolds) approaching Deadpool to fetch his dog. Deadpool responds, “What’s Café Gratitude doing here?” This seemingly random line has now sparked controversy.
A recent Hollywood Reporter article described an executive’s discomfort while working with Baldoni, claiming he often made people share personal stories before meetings. The executive remarked:
“In my head, I was like, ‘I’m sorry, are we at Café f**ing Gratitude?’ Why are you imposing your culture on this meeting?”*
Since Café Gratitude is a well-known organic restaurant chain with a spiritually infused atmosphere, fans quickly connected the dots. Many believe the Deadpool & Wolverine reference was an inside joke aimed at Baldoni.
Fans React: Is Ryan Reynolds Being Petty?
Social media exploded with reactions, with some accusing Reynolds of being petty while others dismissed the theory as overblown speculation.
“What a petty little man Ryan Reynolds is.” – @Truthse10335075
“Justin is HOT, CLEVER & a lovely human – everything Ryan Reynolds is NOT!” – @gillw79
“So now people shouldn’t be too nice? I can’t imagine being so petty that someone was overly kind, so I decided to make them look like an ass in a movie.” – @Colleen7296
However, others pointed out that the Deadpool & Wolverine scene was filmed long before the Hollywood Reporter article was published, meaning the line’s connection to Baldoni is purely speculative.
Baldoni’s Faith and Clash with Blake Lively
Baldoni follows the Baha’i faith, which promotes community, unity, and emotional openness. While some admire his approach, others—including Blake Lively—have reportedly found it unsettling.
A source claimed that on the set of It Ends with Us, Baldoni’s methods created a polarizing atmosphere, leading to tension between him and Lively. While some crew members praised his empathetic leadership, others felt he imposed his beliefs in a professional setting.
Did Reynolds Target Baldoni in Multiple Scenes?
Some believe that Deadpool & Wolverine contains other hidden jabs at Baldoni, using the character of Nicepool. While there’s no concrete evidence that these were intentional, the ongoing drama has only fueled more speculation.
For now, it remains unclear whether Reynolds deliberately mocked Baldoni, but the Deadpool & Wolverine controversy has certainly added another layer of drama to Hollywood’s latest feud.
