Blake Lively attends the arrivals of the "2024 LACMA ART+FILM GALA, Presented by GUCCI" at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in Los Angeles, CA on November 2, 2024. (Photo via CTV News)
The behind-the-scenes drama of It Ends With Us has taken a shocking turn as Blake Lively expands her lawsuit against co-star Justin Baldoni. In a bombshell update, Lively’s legal team has added nearly 50 pages of fresh allegations, claiming that multiple women on set felt uncomfortable due to Baldoni’s behavior.
According to the lawsuit, another female co-star even raised concerns to Sony, the film’s distributor. Lively alleges that rather than addressing the issue, Baldoni retaliated against her with a full-blown smear campaign.
Allegations of Retaliation
Lively’s legal team asserts that after she initially reported her concerns in May 2023, another female cast member also came forward with similar complaints. This individual allegedly reported Baldoni’s behavior to Sony and one of the film’s producers. When Sony representatives informed Baldoni of these concerns, he reportedly acknowledged them in writing and promised adjustments.
However, the complaint states that just a week later, the same female cast member told Lively she felt increasingly uneasy on set and found it difficult to communicate with Baldoni. Rather than improving the workplace environment, the lawsuit claims Baldoni and his team hired crisis management specialists to damage Lively’s reputation.
Evidence and Defamation Claims
Lively’s legal team argues that substantial evidence supports her claims, including threats, harassment, and intimidation tactics used against her and others. To protect witnesses from online harassment, some individuals have not been named in the lawsuit. However, the complaint states that these witnesses have permitted Lively to share their communications and will testify if necessary.
Additionally, Lively has added defamation claims against Baldoni’s attorney, accusing him of making false statements in the media to harm her credibility. The lawsuit alleges that the attorney frequently appears on media platforms to discredit her and discourage others from supporting her case.
Baldoni’s Counterclaims
Baldoni has strongly denied the allegations, filing his own lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. He claims the couple attempted to damage his reputation and gain control over the film’s creative direction. His lawsuit seeks $400 million in damages from Lively and Reynolds, along with $250 million from a major newspaper, which he accuses of collaborating with Lively to push a one-sided narrative.
Despite these legal disputes, Lively has received industry-wide support. Her lawsuit has been backed by major Hollywood figures, the actors' union SAG-AFTRA, and Sony. Meanwhile, Baldoni was dropped by his talent agency following the allegations.
Trial Set for 2026
Legal proceedings are set to continue, with both parties rejecting mediation efforts. The case is scheduled to go to trial in March 2026. Recently, Lively’s legal team issued subpoenas to obtain phone and email records from Baldoni and his associates to uncover further details about the alleged smear campaign. Baldoni’s attorneys have objected, calling it an overreach. A judge has yet to rule on the matter.
As the legal battle unfolds, both sides remain firm in their positions, ensuring that this high-profile case will continue to make headlines.
