In a dramatic escalation of their ongoing feud tied to the production of It Ends With Us,
actor-director Justin Baldoni has filed a $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit against Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.
The legal battle has also drawn pop superstar Taylor Swift into the fray.
Baldoni accuses Lively, his former co-star, of leveraging Swift’s influence to exert control over the film’s production.
The lawsuit claims Baldoni was invited to Lively’s New York penthouse,
where Reynolds and Swift—described as a “famous and famously close” friend of the couple—were present.
During this meeting, the group allegedly discussed Lively’s script rewrites, which Baldoni appeared to support in a subsequent text exchange.
According to the complaint, Baldoni texted Lively about changes she made to the pivotal rooftop scene, stating, “I really love what you did. It really does help a lot. Makes it so much more fun and interesting. (And I would have felt that way without Ryan or Taylor).” His attorneys, however, argue this message was influenced by the immense pressure of dealing with Lively and her “dragons”—Reynolds and Swift.
The lawsuit also alleges that Lively began overstepping her role, demanding creative control over her character’s wardrobe, an area typically outside an actor’s contractual authority. Baldoni’s legal team contends that her involvement went “well beyond” acceptable limits and created tensions on set.
Allegations and Counterclaims
Baldoni’s lawsuit also addresses claims Lively made in a previous harassment lawsuit. Lively alleged that Baldoni made inappropriate comments, including discussions about his past porn addiction, and invaded her privacy during private moments such as breastfeeding. Baldoni denies these accusations, asserting the porn discussion occurred during a scene-development meeting initiated by Lively, who had mentioned she had never seen pornography. He further disputes claims of invading her privacy, pointing out that Lively was reportedly comfortable breastfeeding in his presence and even allowed photos of him holding her child.
His attorneys argue that Lively’s accusations emerged unexpectedly, despite their previously amicable relationship. They claim she made derogatory remarks about Baldoni’s appearance, suggesting he undergo rhinoplasty, and note that she laughed with him during late-night writing sessions.
Reynolds and Swift’s Involvement
The lawsuit also targets Reynolds, accusing him of verbally attacking Baldoni during an all-hands meeting. According to Baldoni’s legal team, Reynolds demanded an apology from Baldoni for alleged misconduct, escalating tensions to an unprecedented level. Witnesses, including a producer and a Sony representative, were reportedly shocked by Reynolds’ behavior, with one claiming it was the most aggressive confrontation they had seen in their career.
Swift, though not a direct party in the lawsuit, is accused of being part of the dynamic that enabled Lively to exert influence over Baldoni. Her representatives have yet to comment on the allegations.
Broader Implications
Baldoni’s lawyers allege that Lively orchestrated a smear campaign, utilizing media outlets to damage his reputation and shift blame for what they describe as her own promotional missteps. They point to criticism of Lively’s marketing approach for the film, which focuses on sensitive themes like domestic violence, as evidence of her mishandling the project.
The lawsuit further accuses Lively of collaborating with a major media outlet to construct a damaging narrative against Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios. Baldoni’s legal team maintains that they have provided extensive evidence, including text messages, emails, and video footage, to support their case.
Public Reactions
Baldoni and his team claim to have faced harassment, including death threats and anti-Semitic slurs, as a result of the allegations against them. His publicists argue that Lively’s actions were a calculated attempt to exploit social justice causes for personal gain.
“This is a battle she will not win and will certainly regret,” Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman stated. He emphasized that the lawsuit aims to hold Lively accountable for her alleged manipulation and falsehoods, stating, “Documents do not lie.”
As the legal drama unfolds, representatives for Lively, Reynolds, and Swift have yet to issue public responses. The case promises to shine a spotlight on the often-hidden tensions behind high-profile Hollywood productions.
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