A highly publicized legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has drawn significant attention, largely due to their involvement in the movie It Ends With Us. 

The controversy first gained momentum when Baldoni was noticeably absent from several promotional events and set photos leading up to the film’s release in August 2024. 

What initially seemed like an unremarkable absence soon spiraled into a full-blown legal battle, 

with Lively suing Baldoni and accusing him of creating a hostile work environment on set. 

Baldoni denied the allegations and filed his own lawsuit against Lively, igniting widespread curiosity about the feud.

Lively’s Lawsuit Against Baldoni

On December 20, 2024, Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, claiming that his behavior on the It Ends With Us set had contributed to a toxic and unsafe work environment. According to court documents, Lively stated that a meeting was held to address what was described as “hostile work conditions” that nearly jeopardized the movie’s production. The lawsuit outlined several demands regarding Baldoni’s actions, which Lively argued were inappropriate and unprofessional.

Among the requests were a prohibition on Baldoni showing explicit videos to Lively or the crew, as well as a demand for an “intimacy coordinator” on set to oversee all physical interactions, including kissing scenes. Lively further stated that all intimate moments should be choreographed and agreed upon in advance with the coordinator. She also insisted that any personal comments or behavior, such as Baldoni’s alleged remarks about her physical appearance, cease immediately.

The lawsuit also made claims that Baldoni’s behavior was a deliberate attempt to undermine Lively’s position in the film, leading to what she described as an unfair and “smear campaign” against her.

The Marketing Dispute

One of the core issues leading to Lively’s lawsuit was a difference in opinion regarding the marketing direction of the film. According to Lively’s allegations, Baldoni wanted the promotional campaign to focus on the trauma of domestic abuse depicted in the film. Lively, on the other hand, wanted to highlight the resilience of her character, Lily Bloom, in a more uplifting light. Lively’s legal team claimed that Baldoni’s focus on the trauma aspect was part of a broader strategy to protect his public image, which Lively argued amounted to a concerted effort to damage her own reputation.

The legal documents went further, citing that Steve Sarowitz, a leading financier for It Ends With Us, allegedly divulged at the movie’s premiere in New York that he intended to spend a significant sum—reportedly $100 million—to “ruin” Lively and her family. This statement, if true, painted a troubling picture of the alleged behind-the-scenes manipulation.

Baldoni’s Response

Justin Baldoni vehemently denied all of Lively’s allegations, calling them “categorically false.” His lawyer, Bryan Freedman, issued a statement defending Baldoni’s actions and the marketing approach taken by the film’s team. According to Freedman, the crisis management tactics employed by Baldoni’s PR firm were appropriate given the “threats” posed by Lively’s actions during the film’s promotional tour.

Baldoni also released raw footage of a key scene from the film that Lively had mentioned in her lawsuit. Lively accused Baldoni of behaving inappropriately during the filming of an intimate scene, but Baldoni’s team maintained that the footage proved the scene was filmed professionally and within the agreed-upon parameters.

The Counter-Suit and Other Allegations

In response to Lively’s lawsuit, Baldoni filed his own suit on December 31, 2024, targeting the New York Times. He claimed that Lively had initially prevented him from attending the film’s premiere, seeking to publicly humiliate him. The lawsuit also outlined several incidents where Baldoni was allegedly sidelined by Lively, particularly in marketing efforts. Baldoni even accused Lively of trying to strip him of any recognition for his work as a director, which contributed to a growing tension between the two.

Additionally, Baldoni alleged that Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, had confronted him about accusations of fat-shaming Lively, further escalating the personal drama behind the scenes.

Public Back-and-Forth

As the legal drama unfolded, several high-profile figures weighed in on the situation. Colleen Hoover, the author of the novel It Ends With Us, publicly supported Lively, praising her for her honesty and kindness. Meanwhile, sources reported that Baldoni had been dropped by his talent agency, WME, following the escalation of the legal battle.

The dispute became even more complicated when Lively and Reynolds requested a gag order against Baldoni’s legal team, accusing them of leaking information to the press. Baldoni, however, remained resolute in his defense, claiming that his team had the right to share evidence to disprove Lively’s allegations.

The Ongoing Feud

As of January 2025, the legal battle shows no signs of abating. Baldoni has even announced plans to launch a website containing all correspondence between him and Lively, along with videos that he believes will prove his innocence. Lively, on the other hand, continues to stand by her claims, asserting that her legal actions are necessary to expose the “sinister retaliatory tactics” that have harmed her reputation.

With both sides continuing to file lawsuits and make public statements, the drama surrounding It Ends With Us has become just as contentious as the film’s storyline. Fans and the media alike are left wondering how this saga will end and what lasting effects it will have on the careers of both Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.

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