Justin Baldoni to File Lawsuit Against Blake Lively for Alleged Sexual Harassment During Filming of It Ends With Us

It Ends With Us director and leading actor Justin Baldoni is moving forward with legal action against his co-star Blake Lively, among others, following her allegations of sexual harassment and a purported smear campaign. This development comes amid a libel lawsuit Baldoni has already initiated against the New York Times, which featured selectively edited texts and emails linked to the allegations, published shortly after Lively filed her sexual harassment complaint with the California Civil Rights Department.

Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, confirmed in a statement to NBC News that Baldoni “absolutely” intends to sue Lively and others. Freedman firmly rejected the notion that Baldoni conspired with his public relations team to undermine Lively’s credibility during the promotional phase of the film, emphasizing their readiness to disclose all communications between the two actors. Freedman stated:

100% no. You know, Justin Baldoni, from the get-go, said, “I don’t want to do anything negative toward her. I don’t want to hurt her.”

We plan to release every single text message between the two of them. There is nothing that in any way is a concern about this entire situation from our perspective, and we want the truth to be out there.

Regarding the allegations stemming from Lively, Freedman refrained from directly disputing the claims made against Baldoni, instead suggesting that the behaviors in question might have been misconstrued. He articulated this perspective further, asserting:

I think there’s some behavior always that can make people uncomfortable, and I don’t think anybody has the intention to do that. The question really in this case is, does it rise to the level of sexual harassment?

Implications of the It Ends With Us Behind-the-Scenes Controversy

Ongoing Legal Disputes

The legal conflict between Baldoni and Lively has escalated significantly, especially following Lively’s recent lawsuit against Baldoni. Concurrently, Baldoni has lodged a defamation claim against the New York Times seeking $250 million in damages, arguing that conversations involving his publicist and a crisis management expert have been “unscrupulously altered and selectively edited.”In response, the New York Times defended its reporting, maintaining that it was based on a thorough examination of thousands of documents containing accurate quotes.

Lively’s sexual harassment complaint alleges that Baldoni entered her trailer unexpectedly while she was undressed, including times when she was breastfeeding. Conversely, Baldoni’s defamation suit includes text messages indicating that Lively had invited him to her trailer to assist with rehearsals while she was pumping milk. Additionally, Lively has accused Baldoni of frequently criticizing her body image and making unsolicited comments to her fitness trainer regarding her weight for a scene. Baldoni’s response affirmed the phone call but clarified it was motivated by safety concerns due to previous injuries.

Perspectives on the Legal Dispute

Unlikely Future for a Sequel

Young Lily and Young Atlas lean in to kiss in It Ends With Us

Despite the controversies surrounding the film’s production, It Ends With Us has achieved significant commercial success, grossing over $350 million on a modest budget of $25 million. This performance establishes it as the highest-grossing romantic drama since 2018’s A Star is Born. The film, adapted from Colleen Hoover’s novel, explores the tumultuous relationship of Lily Bloom (portrayed by Lively) with Ryle Kincaid (played by Baldoni), who initially presents himself as charming but ultimately reveals an abusive nature, prompting Lily to break the cycle of violence.

Since its release, It Ends With Us has garnered mixed critiques from both audiences and critics. Reviewers, such as Screen Rant, have acknowledged the film’s commendable performances and direction while critiquing its reliance on conventional romantic tropes at the expense of addressing its more pressing themes. Given the ongoing behind-the-scenes turmoil, the prospects for a sequel featuring both stars seem increasingly bleak.

Source: NBC News on TODAY

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