LOS ANGELES — Justin Baldoni, known for his role in “It Ends With Us” as both actor and director, has initiated a legal dispute against his co-star Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, claiming defamation and extortion. This lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York, is seeking a minimum of $400 million in damages for lost future income, amid ongoing tensions related to the film’s production.
The legal action accuses Lively and Reynolds of taking control of the film’s distribution and marketing, leading to a smear campaign against Baldoni and other team members involving false claims of harassment. The lawsuit asserts that “two of the most powerful stars in the world” have leveraged their influence to seize control of the film from its director and production company. When their attempts to gain the recognition they desired fell short, Baldoni became their scapegoat, the suit claims.
This lawsuit follows closely on the heels of Lively’s own legal claims against Baldoni and others connected to the film, in which she accused them of retaliation after she spoke out about her experiences on set. Her legal team characterized Baldoni’s lawsuit as a continuation of the ‘abuser playbook,’ indicating that it represents a tactic often used by perpetrators to turn the narrative against victims.
“It Ends With Us,” adapted from Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel published in 2016, debuted to impressive box office numbers, earning $50 million in its opening weekend. While initially framed as a romantic drama, the film tackles serious issues of domestic violence, stirring conversations about the treatment of female actresses on film sets and in the media.
Baldoni’s lawsuit claims that Lively’s actions have undermined the film’s initial vision, which intended to honor survivors of domestic violence. Allegations made by Lively regarding a toxic environment during filming and retaliation are vehemently denied by Baldoni, who cites a close professional relationship, even mentioning that Lively felt comfortable enough to breast-feed in front of him during meetings. The suit claims that Lively later mischaracterized these harmless interactions as inappropriate behavior.
The back-and-forth between the parties intensified when Lively’s lawsuit emerged a short time after Baldoni had sued a major publication for libel, asserting that they colluded with Lively to defame him. The publication has since reaffirmed its commitment to defend its reporting.
Baldoni’s legal argument defends his actions during production, asserting that all of Lively’s requests for an intimacy coordinator were accommodated. One of the scenes in question involved childbirth, which Lively claimed was mishandled, but Baldoni contends those allegations are entirely false. Additionally, he mentioned that there was a moment when he needed to inquire about Lively’s weight due to his personal health concerns to ensure he could safely lift her during a scene, only for Reynolds to interpret this conversation as an attack.
The lawsuit further alleges that Baldoni was sidelined during the film’s promotional efforts, with Lively taking center stage alongside Reynolds, who was engaged in his own promotional activities for “Deadpool & Wolverine.” As a result of the controversy, Baldoni asserts that he lost representation from his agency, a move he attributes to Reynolds’ intervention with WME executives expressing negative opinions about him.
Before his work on “It Ends With Us,” Baldoni gained recognition from his role in the TV series “Jane the Virgin” and directed the popular 2019 movie “Five Feet Apart.” His advocacy for healthy masculinity is also reflected in his book, “Man Enough.”
According to Baldoni’s claims, Lively’s allegations aimed to tarnish his reputation systematically. Lively’s legal representatives, however, have indicated that evidence will show that other cast members experienced similar treatment, thus highlighting a broader issue.
Baldoni’s suit points out that Lively allegedly served legal papers to him during a time of crisis, when he was preoccupied with wildfires near his home. As he and his family prepared for possible evacuation, Lively famously used process servers from her comfortable residence in New York to deliver the lawsuit.
A statement from Baldoni’s attorney indicated strong confidence in their case, asserting that Lively would find the outcome to her dismay and warning against exploiting real victims for her gain. The dispute between these Hollywood figures has now captured public interest, raising significant questions about the treatment of individuals within the film industry.
