Director Justin Baldoni has taken significant steps to address the legal battle with actress Blake Lively by launching the website thelawsuitinfo.com. This site went live on February 1, 2025, and aims to counter Lively's allegations against him amid their explosive dispute involving defamation and harassment claims.
The website features two important documents: the Amended Complaint and the Timeline of Relevant Events. The Amended Complaint spans 224 pages detailing Baldoni and his production company's grievances against Lively, asserting their claims of defamation, extortion, and false allegations. Complementing this is the Timeline, stretching 168 pages, which chronicles interactions dating back to January 2019, when Baldoni first approached author Colleen Hoover about adapting her bestselling novel, It Ends With Us, for the screen.
Baldoni's legal team had previously stated their intentions behind this initiative, emphasizing the need to present the truth. His attorney, Bryan Freedman, remarked, "Justin and team have the right to defend themselves with the truth," indicating the team's confidence in the forthcoming materials as foundational to their defense.
Despite the legal push, Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, attempted to prevent the website’s launch by filing for a court order, claiming it was harassment. Their efforts were unsuccessful, allowing Baldoni to maintain the site as evidence of what he describes as transparency and accountability.
Lively's legal representation characterized Baldoni's actions as attempts to silence her, comparing them to tactics commonly used by those accused of misconduct. They said, "They attempted to silence her, which is just typical of this scenario whereby the woman presents evidence and the accused tries to change the narrative,” reflecting their position on the matter.
The timeline provides a detailed account of the evolution of Baldoni's relationship with Lively and Reynolds, showing how initial enthusiasm soured during production. It discloses previously unreleased text messages. Notably, one message from Baldoni to Lively reassured her about body image issues, with Baldoni stating, "You will look amazing. Anytime you are insecure about [it] we will talk [it] through and get creative together." This exchange highlights the personal nature of their professional interactions.
Sources report the tension escalated over creative differences during filming, especially concerning intimate scenes. The text messages reveal how the rapport between Baldoni and Lively shifted over time, leading up to the current legal situation.
Meanwhile, Lively also faced challenges outside of the lawsuit as her Instagram account was recently compromised, flooded with explicit content due to spam campaigns, prompting a response from her security team.
With both sides entrenched, this legal battle does not seem to be nearing its conclusion anytime soon. The presence of Baldoni’s website serves as both defense and counter-offensive amid serious allegations from Lively. The court has yet to weigh in on the merits of either side’s claims, but the narrative is already capturing public attention.
The situation exemplifies not only the intricacies of Hollywood politics but also sheds light on broader issues within the industry related to harassment and public perception. Both Baldoni and Lively, prominent figures, find themselves at the center of discussions about accountability and narrative control.
What began as collaboration for the screen adaptation of It Ends With Us has evolved dramatically, creating ripples through Hollywood as both parties prepare for what promises to be a protracted and complex courtroom clash.