Blake Lively has filed a legal complaint against her “It Ends With Us” director and co-star Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment on set and a subsequent effort to damage her reputation. The complaint, obtained by The Associated Press, alleges that Baldoni and the studio behind the movie engaged in a “multi-tiered plan” to tarnish Lively’s image after she and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, addressed concerns about harassment and disturbing behavior on the set. The plan reportedly included planting theories on online message boards, manipulating social media campaigns, and placing critical news stories about Lively.
The complaint further claims that Baldoni coordinated with publicists and crisis managers to execute a retaliation plan against Lively, should she speak out about her experiences. The plan was allegedly aimed at “burying” and “destroying” Lively to prevent her from revealing the truth about Baldoni’s behavior. Lively’s legal team asserts that the studio and Baldoni engaged in tactics to bolster his credibility while diminishing hers. The complaint also accuses Baldoni of using domestic violence “survivor content” to protect his public image and shift away from the movie’s original marketing plan.
Bryan Freedman, an attorney representing Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, refuted the claims made by Lively in the complaint. He labeled the allegations as “completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious,” and denied any coordinated plan to retaliate against Lively. Freedman stated that a crisis manager was hired by the studio in response to demands and threats made by Lively during production. The statement also mentioned Lively’s list of 30 demands, including restrictions on nudity and discussions about sensitive topics, which Baldoni and others allegedly agreed to in response to her concerns about the work environment.
In her statement to the New York Times, Lively expressed hope that her legal action would shed light on retaliatory tactics used to harm individuals who speak up about misconduct. She denied allegations of spreading negative information about Baldoni or the studio and reiterated her commitment to protecting others who may face similar situations. “It Ends With Us,” the romantic drama based on a bestselling novel, had a successful box office debut and received positive reviews. However, questions about discord between the lead actors overshadowed the film’s release, with Baldoni taking a less prominent role in promotion compared to Lively and Reynolds.
Despite the success of the movie, speculations about the on-set dynamics and allegations of harassment have cast a shadow over the production. Baldoni, known for his work in television and film, responded to concerns about the portrayal of domestic violence in the movie by emphasizing the intentionality behind the storytelling. He acknowledged that some viewers might find it challenging to see their experiences reflected in a romance novel but defended the film’s approach as thoughtful and respectful. The legal complaint filed by Lively against Baldoni and the studio adds a new layer of complexity to the narrative surrounding “It Ends With Us,” raising questions about accountability, transparency, and the treatment of actors in the entertainment industry.
