Kevin Costner’s unexpected reaction to Ryan Reynolds’ 6-word ‘joke’ about Justin Baldoni has people making same point

Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, made a public appearance together at SNL50: The Anniversary Special to mark 50 years of Saturday Night Live on Sunday night (16 February).

The couple joined a number of other famous faces in the audience including none other than Yellowstone star Kevin Costner who seemed seriously unimpressed with Reynolds' 'joke' about Lively's legal battle with Justin Baldoni.

For context, the remark made by Reynolds comes less than two months after the Gossip Girl alum filed a legal complaint against Baldoni, her It Ends With Us cast-mate.

In the shock lawsuit, Lively alleged that Baldoni exhibited overly sexualised behaviour towards her while on the set of the Coleen Hoover novel adaptation and that he and his team later orchestrated a 'smear campaign' against her.

This resulted in the couple (led by Lively) handing staff on set a list of demands about intimacy protocol and workplace behaviour, which are also referenced in her December complaint.

Baldoni subsequently denied all allegations being made against him and has since sued Lively himself for defamation and extortion.

SNL viewers couldn't help but point out Kevin Costner's reaction to Ryan Reynolds' 'joke' about Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's lawsuit drama (NBC)

Given all the background, and that the legal dispute is still very much ongoing, it's not surprising that Reynolds' comment left telly-watchers absolutely blindsided this weekend.

In the viral video, Reynolds can be seen in the audience with wife Lively, before hosts Amy Poehler and Tina Fey give the pair a shout-out.

He then stands while Poehler exclaims: "Oh, hi, Ryan Reynolds. Ryan Reynolds, how is it going?"

With an awkward expression, Reynolds then replies: "Great... why? What have you heard?" Lively's shocked face then shoots upwards in his direction.

The joke itself has stirred up global controversy, with many wondering whether its timing or circumstances were appropriate.

The moment took place during SNL50: The Anniversary Special on Sunday (16 February) (NBC)

Equally, people couldn't help but notice Costner's reaction as he sat just a few rows behind Reynolds and Lively.

Costner, who could be seen chewing gum, appeared to have somewhat of a disapproving look on his face, noticeably not clapping when Reynolds stood up to deliver the joke.

Noticing the reaction, one X user penned: "The look on Kevin Costner's face tho."

"Kevin Costner in the back makes Ryan look like the fool that he is..." jabbed a second, while a third beamed: "Kevin Costner’s reaction is brilliant! What a man!"

A fourth quipped: "Kevin Costner looked like a deer caught in the headlights."

"Kevin Costner not having it at all," wrote another and a final X user echoed: "We are all watching this like Kevin Costner."