Justin Baldoni has escalated his legal battle against It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, by launching a website featuring an amended version of his $400 million defamation lawsuit.
The site includes a detailed timeline, texts, and emails to challenge Lively’s sexual harassment claims and provide Baldoni’s perspective on the alleged power struggle over the film’s production.
Baldoni’s Claims of Professional Sabotage
According to Baldoni’s legal team, the case is not about a personal feud but a deliberate effort by Lively and Reynolds to undermine his control of the film.
The lawsuit alleges that after failing to reshape the film to their liking, the couple shifted blame onto Baldoni.
His lawyer argued that despite Baldoni’s efforts to remain professional, he and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, were targeted in a smear campaign.
Leaked Messages and Changing Dynamics
Early exchanges between Lively and Baldoni suggest they shared a friendly relationship. Baldoni’s lawsuit highlights text messages where they exchanged jokes, personal stories, and words of support. However, he claims their dynamic shifted over time, particularly regarding on-set intimacy coordination.
His legal team included messages in which Lively reportedly declined to meet with an intimacy coordinator before filming started, leaving Baldoni to relay information alone. Some of these meetings allegedly took place in the couple’s home, often in Reynolds’ presence.
Baldoni also referenced a moment when Lively invited him into her trailer to rehearse lines while she was pumping breast milk. His lawsuit argues that this occurred after the alleged harassment, contradicting Lively’s claims.
Accusations of Manipulated Public Narrative
Baldoni alleges that when reports of on-set tensions surfaced in August 2024, Lively and Reynolds pressured him to accept responsibility for the troubled production.
His lawsuit includes a draft statement they allegedly wrote for Wayfarer Studios, where he was expected to take full accountability. The draft warned that if the statement wasn’t released, “the gloves will come off.”
Lively formally filed a sexual harassment complaint against Baldoni and his studio in December. On the same day, Baldoni sued The New York Times for $250 million, claiming they participated in a smear campaign against him.
Weeks later, he filed the $400 million lawsuit naming Lively and Reynolds, accusing them of attempting to wrestle creative control of the film and manipulate public perception.
What Comes Next?
With lawsuits from both sides and leaked communications fueling public debate, this legal battle is far from over.
Baldoni insists he was the victim of a coordinated effort to discredit him, while Lively maintains her claims of harassment.
The outcome could reshape the narrative around It Ends With Us and the reputations of those involved.
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