In a dramatic turn of events, Hollywood is grappling with a high-stakes legal battle between actor Blake Lively and It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni. Lively filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday, accusing Baldoni and others tied to the film of harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign aimed at discrediting her for speaking out about alleged misconduct on set.
The lawsuit, filed in New York, comes on the same day Baldoni and his associates launched a $250 million libel suit against The New York Times for its exposé on Lively’s allegations. The competing lawsuits have ignited a firestorm, thrusting the surprise hit film and its creators into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Lively’s Explosive Allegations
Blake Lively’s lawsuit accuses Baldoni, production company Wayfarer Studios, and others of engaging in a “retaliatory scheme” to silence her and tarnish her reputation. The suit alleges Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath created a toxic work environment rife with inappropriate comments about women’s bodies and personal sexual experiences. It also claims Baldoni pressured Lively to share details about her intimate life.
The alleged retaliation included planting damaging stories online, engineering social media attacks, and coordinating with crisis communications experts to smear Lively in the media.
“This was a carefully crafted, coordinated, and resourced retaliatory scheme,” the lawsuit states.
Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, reportedly confronted Baldoni about his behavior during a tense meeting, but their concerns were allegedly met with a concerted effort to discredit the actor.
Baldoni Fights Back
Justin Baldoni’s legal team denies all allegations, calling them “outrageous and intentionally salacious.” The director’s libel suit against The New York Times claims the publication relied solely on Lively’s “unverified narrative” while ignoring evidence contradicting her story. Baldoni also alleges that Lively orchestrated her own smear campaign to deflect from criticism of her public image.
“The irony is rich,” Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, said, accusing The Times of aiding Lively in a “devastating PR campaign.”
The lawsuit also names Wayfarer Studios and crisis communications expert Melissa Nathan, whose leaked text message, “We Can Bury Anyone,” became the headline for The Times story.
Behind the Scenes of It Ends With Us
It Ends With Us, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, debuted in August to box office success but was marred by rumors of discord between Lively and Baldoni. The film, praised for its raw portrayal of domestic violence, faced criticism for romanticizing abuse—a concern Baldoni dismissed as subjective interpretation.
In the months leading up to its release, Baldoni stepped back from promotional duties, leaving Lively and Reynolds to handle press circuits. Their frosty professional dynamic fueled speculation of deeper issues, culminating in Lively’s legal action.
Hollywood Divided
The lawsuits have sparked heated discussions in Hollywood about power dynamics, workplace harassment, and the treatment of female actors. Baldoni, who had cultivated a reputation for advocating progressive masculinity, was dropped by his talent agency, WME, following the allegations. The agency also represents Lively and Reynolds.
“This is about accountability,” Lively’s legal team said in a statement. “No one, regardless of their position, should feel unsafe or unheard in their workplace.”
What’s Next?
As both lawsuits progress, the stakes are high for all parties involved. Lively’s claims could have far-reaching implications for how misconduct allegations are handled in Hollywood, while Baldoni’s libel suit puts The New York Times under intense scrutiny.
With public opinion split and both sides refusing to back down, the scandal is set to dominate headlines in the weeks to come. What remains clear is that this legal battle is about more than just one film—it’s about the shifting culture of accountability in Hollywood.
