Justin Baldoni has thrust his contentious legal battle with Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds under the spotlight, sharing previously private text messages and court documents to bolster his claims of defamation. The actor and director's controversy centers on allegations made by Lively of sexual harassment during the filming of the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, It Ends With Us.
Baldoni, known for his role in Jane the Virgin, took to the web to formally release his amended complaint—a staggering $400 million lawsuit—alongside a detailed 168-page timeline on the website titled Lawsuit Info. This digital file includes emails and text exchanges from his time working with Lively and highlights their relationships leading up to the current legal battle.
The saga began to unravel publicly when Lively accused Baldoni of "repeated sexual harassment and other disturbing behaviour" during the production process. Her initial allegations, filed as part of legal proceedings on December 21, 2024, asserted the existence of hostile and uncomfortable work conditions.
Responding to these serious accusations, Baldoni denied any wrongdoing. His legal team characterized Lively's claims as fabrications aimed at harming his reputation and filed their own countersuit, seeking substantial damages for what he describes as Lively's attempts to destroy his career.
Among the revelations made on Baldoni's website are numerous text exchanges between him, Lively, and Reynolds, allowing the public to trace the dramatic shift from professional allies to courtroom adversaries. One notable exchange, dating back to April 2023, reflects Lively’s reportedly playful and bold nature when discussing potential rewrites for It Ends With Us—"if you knew me (in person) longer you’d have a sense of how flirty and yummy the ball busting will play. It’s my love language. Spicy and playfully bold, never with teeth…" she purportedly communicated.
Before hostilities escalated, Baldoni had reached out to Reynolds, reportedly expressing his desire to connect. "I asked Blake for your number well over a month ago and have wanted to text you for a long time now, but my good ol’ nerves got the best of me," he detailed. Reynolds’s reply, seen prior to the fallout, was cordial and supportive, expressing excitement about their collaboration and his admiration for Baldoni: "I happen to adore you, Justin," he wrote.
Yet, tensions flared significantly following Lively's accusation of body shaming, which Baldoni vehemently denies. Legal documents detail how Reynolds confronted Baldoni at their New York City penthouse, where he allegedly reacted aggressively. Baldoni reported Reynolds responded to him with ire, stating, "How dare you f***ing ask about my wife’s weight? What’s wrong with you?" This meeting reportedly left Baldoni feeling pressured to repeatedly apologize.
The timeline provided by Baldoni traces their tangled interactions over several months, starting with his initial email to Hoover about turning her novel, It Ends With Us, to film. Baldoni's intention seems to set the record straight about the production and his interactions with both Lively and Reynolds amid allegations of misconduct.
A swift escalation occurred when Lively filed her own suit against Baldoni and his production team, alleging emotional distress due to his purportedly aggressive behavior. Her legal representation described Baldoni's website intentions as attempts to sway public opinion and influence jury perception, describing his actions as inflammatory.
“He’s created this website to influence proceedings and public perception about Blake and destroy her career,” claimed Lively's attorney, Michael Gottlieb. “The documents posted are incomplete, biased, and prejudicial.” This points to the fraught nature of relationships once based on professional collaboration now dubbed adversarial.
Baldoni continues to counter these narratives, insisting on his innocence, asserting from his perspective, Lively’s claims seemed like retaliation for his refusal to engage in misleading tactics perpetuated by her team.
This lawsuit and the events around it are poised to take center stage as both Baldoni and Lively are expected to face off at court hearings, with preliminary discussions to take place soon. The trial itself is projected to commence on March 9, 2026.
The dispute not only affects their careers but also reveals troubling dynamics behind the scenes of Hollywood productions, where personal interactions can quickly morph from benign to litigious.
Before any courtroom drama, all eyes will be on upcoming hearings, as each side prepares to present their narratives. Fans of both actors and the film community await the outcome as the situation evolves, casting shadows over the industry standards and behavior.
Until the legal dust settles, Baldoni’s public campaign offers insights from within the tumultuous exchange, leaving audiences to ponder the larger questions concerning workplace dynamics and accountability within the film industry.