Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni find themselves at the center of a tumultuous dispute over their upcoming film, "It Ends With Us." The conflict has spiraled beyond mere creative differences, erupting from allegations of sexual harassment and multimillion dollar lawsuits.
The saga took a dramatic turn when Lively, known for her roles in "Gossip Girl" and "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni, his Wayfarer studio, and former PR representatives on December 1, 2023. Just hours later, Baldoni, 41, countered with his own legal maneuvers, including a $250 million lawsuit against the New York Times for publishing what he termed as defamatory information about him.
Weeks later, he escalated the situation by naming Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, in yet another suit—this one for $400 million—claiming they conspired to hijack the film's narrative. The tension primarily revolves around their work on the now-infamous rooftop scene, which has been described as pivotal to the film.
According to court documents, Baldoni claims he felt pressured by Lively's inner circle, including Reynolds and her close friend, Taylor Swift, to adopt her revised screenplay. This alleged coercion allegedly took place during collaborative discussions to create the film, which is based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel.
"There's so much I want to say to you and I hope we can FaceTime or see each other soon to talk more... I for sure fell short, and you worked really hard on..." Baldoni said during a six-minute voice note sent to Lively, expressions of regret punctuating his apology. He continued, acknowledging how Lively must have felt: "I made you feel terrible... That was not my best weekend, and I should have... Given it more time."
This admission highlights the deeply personal nature of their professional relationship. Lively's insistence to revise the rooftop scene has been described by Baldoni's legal team as evidence of her exerting control over the film's production—something he admits made him uncomfortable.
The alleged conversations involved Lively’s friends and relatives urging him to recognize the potential of her changes, complicity raised by Baldoni’s admission of these pressures. "I want this movie to be healing," Baldoni stated, expressing his desire for the film to meaningfully engage audiences.
Beyond the courtroom drama, Lively’s timing with personal business ventures during the film's promotional phase raised eyebrows among critics. Her haircare line, Blake Brown Beauty, launched just days before the premiere, alongside her festive floral arrangements collection, has ignited discussions about whether she was leveraging the film's publicity for her own entrepreneurial goals.
Lively has not shied away from controversy; her wedding to Reynolds took place at Boone Hall Plantation, known for its oppressive history, and the couple later expressed regret over their choice of venue. The couple's efforts to evolve reflect broader societal expectations to acknowledge past mistakes.
The drama surrounding this film project and personal conflicts isn't the first for Baldoni, who previously opened up about his struggles with pornography. He acknowledged how early exposure shaped his views on relationships—impactful admissions he ties to his motivations for promoting dialogue on domestic abuse through "It Ends With Us."
While these revelations add layers to the public personas they project, they inevitably complicate the film’s narrative as they exist at the intersection of production, personal lives, and career longevity.
Legal battles weigh heavily on both stars, with U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman scheduling trial dates, setting the stage for what will likely be a significant spectacle. The pretrial conference originally slated for February 12 was moved up to February 3, 2026.
Despite the contentious atmosphere, both actors have articulated aspirations for their project; both are attempting to strike paths toward resolution and reconciliation. Yet, with their careers taking such unpredictable turns, it’s unclear how this will affect their future together on or off-screen.
Every piece of this drama adds another dimension to the profession, illustrating how celebrity relationships can intertwine with the tumult of Hollywood, complex emotions, and personal aspirations.
Responding to the situation, representatives for both Lively and Baldoni have yet to comment publicly on the latest developments. The split from amicable collaboration to fraught legal disputes highlights what can happen when personal and professional lines blur; the cloud of litigation could obscure what was meant to be the transformative opportunity this film envisioned.