In a dramatic turn of events, Justin Baldoni has presented text messages as part of his lawsuit against The New York Times, revealing tense exchanges with his editors from It Ends With Us.
The texts back up Baldoni’s claim that Blake Lively used bullying tactics to take control of the film’s post-production. Baldoni alleges that after filming wrapped, Lively demanded to cut her own version of the film.
Despite initial agreement for both Lively and Baldoni to have their own edits, Lively fired Baldoni’s editors and replaced them with those associated with her husband, Ryan Reynolds. Baldoni claims Lively also replaced the film’s composer with people from Reynolds’ recent project.
The legal battle centers on Lively’s refusal to promote the film unless her version was released and she received a producer credit.
Despite Baldoni’s version testing better with audiences, Lively’s demands were met, and she even cut Baldoni out of the promotion, refusing to attend the premiere if he was present.
In the leaked texts, Baldoni and his editors discuss the difficulties of working on Lively’s edit. One exchange reveals Baldoni’s frustration with being excluded from events like the Book Bonanza and the film’s premiere, where he was segregated from the cast.
This conflict is part of a larger legal drama, which began when Lively accused Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath of sexual harassment on set.
Both Baldoni and Heath denied the allegations, claiming the claims were manipulative and unfounded.
