LOS ANGELES — Justin Baldoni, known for his roles as an actor and director in “It Ends With Us,” has initiated a legal battle against his co-star Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds. The lawsuit, lodged on Thursday in federal court in New York, alleges defamation and extortion, and seeks a staggering $400 million in damages for lost potential earnings. Baldoni’s claim suggests that Lively and Reynolds took control of the film’s production and marketing, attempting to manipulate media narratives to tarnish Baldoni and others involved with the project through false claims of sexual and other forms of harassment.
The lawsuit outlines a grave accusation, portraying Lively and Reynolds as influential figures leveraging their status to usurp the project from Baldoni and his production team. It asserts that when their attempts at garnering accolades were unsuccessful, they shifted blame onto Baldoni, who has been portrayed as a scapegoat for their unfulfilled ambitions. The legal actions follow closely behind Lively’s own lawsuit against Baldoni, where she alleged retaliation for speaking out about her experiences on set.
Lively’s legal team responded to Baldoni’s lawsuit, labeling it as another instance of what they refer to as the “abuser playbook.” They characterized it as a typical scenario where a woman stands up against harassment only to be met with attempts to shift the narrative onto her. Their statement referred to the phenomenon identified as DARVO — Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender — which they argued Baldoni’s lawsuit represents.
“It Ends With Us,” adapted from Colleen Hoover’s popular 2016 novel, debuted in August and exceeded box office expectations with a $50 million opening. While it starts as a conventional romantic movie, it delves into the serious issue of domestic violence, sparking vital conversations in Hollywood regarding the treatment of female actors both on set and in the public eye. Baldoni’s litigation insists that his vision for the film, initially intended to honor domestic violence survivors, has been distorted due to Lively’s actions, overshadowing its original message.
In its defense, Baldoni’s lawsuit claims Lively’s assertions regarding harassment and retaliation are categorically false. It highlights their previous rapport, citing instances where Lively felt comfortable enough to breastfeed during meetings. Baldoni’s allegations further suggest that she later misconstrued such moments as inappropriate behavior. The timing of Lively’s own lawsuit coincided with Baldoni’s suit against a major publication for libel, claiming they collaborated to harm his reputation, to which the publication has vowed to stand firm in its defense.
Baldoni’s filing challenges Lively’s narrative, stating that all of her requests for an intimacy coordinator during sensitive scenes were met respectfully. A particular scene related to childbirth is under scrutiny, with Baldoni asserting that Lively’s claims about being partially unclothed around non-essential personnel are unfounded. Baldoni indicated he even went so far as to inquire about Lively’s weight to accommodate her during filming due to his own back complications, but this was met with accusations from Reynolds, who allegedly accused Baldoni of fat-shaming.
The narrative surrounding the film has caused significant turmoil, resulting in Baldoni being dropped from his agency, WME, which also represents Lively and Reynolds. Baldoni claims that Reynolds played a role in this development, suggesting discontent regarding Baldoni during a public event, insinuating he was unworthy of representation.
Before the production of “It Ends With Us,” Baldoni gained recognition through the TV series “Jane the Virgin” and also directed the successful film “Five Feet Apart.” His writings, such as “Man Enough,” challenge outdated notions of masculinity and push for gender equality. Baldoni’s lawsuit asserts that Lively’s accusations are an attempt to destroy his career, emphasizing that he has consistently advocated for gender justice and healthy masculinity.
In turn, Lively’s representatives have indicated that evidence will show that other cast members purportedly had negative experiences with Baldoni, reinforcing their stance against him. They accused Baldoni of a desperate strategy, detracting from the real evidence within Lively’s initial claims, suggesting that this legal battle will ultimately fail to catapult Baldoni’s reputation back.
Lively, first recognized in “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” solidified her celebrity status through the popular series “Gossip Girl,” and has starred in various successful films. Baldoni’s suit includes allegations that Lively’s paper service tactics were particularly cruel, detailing how she initiated legal papers during a time when he and his family were threatened by wildfires, underscoring the supposed insensitivity of her actions.
Baldoni’s attorney expressed confidence in their case, branding Lively’s efforts as an unattainable victory that she would regret in the long term, pledging that she would not be allowed to exploit genuine victims for personal gain while disregarding those who lack the power to defend themselves.
