Blake Lively has filed a federal lawsuit against director Justin Baldoni and others involved in the production of the romantic drama “It Ends With Us.” Lively alleges harassment and a coordinated campaign to attack her reputation for speaking out about mistreatment on set. The lawsuit was filed just hours after Baldoni and others sued The New York Times for libel, claiming the newspaper and Lively were conducting a coordinated smear campaign. The lawsuits have sparked discussions on the treatment of female actors in Hollywood.
Lively’s lawsuit accuses Baldoni and the production company Wayfarer Studios of engaging in a plan to damage her reputation, which included planting theories on online message boards, social media campaigns, and placing critical news stories. The mistreatment on set allegedly included inappropriate comments from Baldoni about Lively and other women, as well as pressuring Lively to reveal details about her intimate life. Baldoni’s attorney has denied the allegations, calling them false and salacious.
Alongside Lively’s lawsuit, Baldoni and others filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times, claiming the newspaper relied on Lively’s unverified narrative and disregarded evidence that contradicted her claims. The Times has stood by its reporting, stating that the story was meticulously researched and based on original documents. Lively is not a defendant in the libel lawsuit, and her lawyers maintain that the claims in her complaint remain unchanged.
The film “It Ends With Us,” based on a bestselling novel, was a surprise hit in Hollywood with a $50 million debut. Speculation arose about discord between Lively and Baldoni during the film’s release, with Baldoni taking a backseat in promoting the movie while Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, took the spotlight. Lively, known for her roles in “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and “Gossip Girl,” has starred in various films, while Baldoni has appeared in TV shows like “Jane the Virgin” and directed films like “Five Feet Apart.”
Baldoni’s attorney criticized The New York Times for allegedly favoring Lively and Reynolds in their reporting, claiming that the newspaper aided a smear campaign against his clients. Baldoni was dropped by his agency following Lively’s complaint and the publication of the Times’ story. The legal battles between Lively, Baldoni, and The New York Times mark a significant development in Hollywood, shedding light on issues of harassment and mistreatment of female actors on sets. The outcome of these lawsuits will likely impact the industry and how allegations of misconduct are handled.
