Blake Lively has filed a legal complaint alleging that her "It Ends With Us" director and co-star Justin Baldoni sexually harassed her during the production of the film, and further claims that Baldoni, along with the studio and his publicists, engaged in a calculated effort to destroy her reputation in the aftermath. The complaint, which was obtained by The Associated Press and reported by The New York Times, was filed on Friday with the California Civil Rights Department and serves as a precursor to a potential lawsuit. The complaint targets Baldoni, the production studio behind "It Ends With Us," and Baldoni’s public relations team as defendants.
In her complaint, Lively accuses Baldoni and the studio of plotting a "multi-tiered plan" to harm her reputation after she and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, confronted Baldoni about his alleged "repeated sexual harassment and other disturbing behavior" on set, which also involved a producer. The complaint outlines a series of actions the studio and Baldoni allegedly undertook to damage Lively’s image, including suggesting the planting of negative theories on online message boards, organizing a social media smear campaign, and placing news stories that would tarnish her reputation. The complaint also claims that Baldoni abruptly shifted away from the original marketing plan for the film, opting instead to use domestic violence survivor content to bolster his public image and protect himself from public scrutiny.
In response to Lively’s claims, Bryan Freedman, the attorney representing Baldoni, the studio, and its representatives, vehemently denied the accusations. Freedman described the allegations as "completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious," asserting that the goal was to publicly discredit Lively and perpetuate a narrative aimed at harming Baldoni and the studio. Freedman also suggested that Lively had made multiple demands during production, including threats to withhold her participation in the film unless her unspecified demands were met. He stated that the studio had taken the necessary steps to address these concerns, including hiring a crisis manager, due to the ongoing "demands and threats" made by Lively throughout the filming process.
Lively’s legal team, however, maintains that the actress's legal action is meant to expose what she believes to be a coordinated and retaliatory effort to silence those who speak out against misconduct in the entertainment industry. In a statement to The New York Times, Lively firmly denied any involvement in spreading negative information about Baldoni or the studio, emphasizing that her goal is to "pull back the curtain" on the harmful tactics used to retaliate against those who come forward with complaints. She hopes that her legal efforts will set a precedent for protecting other individuals who may find themselves in similar situations.
"It Ends With Us," an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s 2016 bestselling novel, opened in theaters in August and exceeded expectations at the box office, grossing over $50 million in its debut. However, the film’s release was overshadowed by public speculation regarding tensions between its two lead actors. While Baldoni largely stayed out of the spotlight during the promotional period, Lively took center stage, attending events and doing press appearances alongside her husband, Ryan Reynolds, who was also promoting his own film, "Deadpool 3," at the same time.
Baldoni, known for his role in the hit telenovela "Jane the Virgin" and for his directorial work on "Five Feet Apart," had previously addressed concerns about the film’s portrayal of domestic violence, acknowledging that some viewers felt the story romanticized such sensitive issues. He responded to the criticism by stating that the filmmakers were fully aware of the potential for controversy and that they had been "very intentional" in their approach to adapting the novel for the screen. Baldoni expressed empathy for those who had experienced domestic violence firsthand, acknowledging that it might be difficult for them to accept the portrayal of abuse in a romantic setting. Despite these reassurances, the discord surrounding the film’s production and the strained relationship between the lead actors only added fuel to the speculation.
The ongoing legal battle between Lively and Baldoni promises to bring further attention to the challenges of navigating personal and professional boundaries in the high-pressure environment of Hollywood. The case raises important questions about how allegations of sexual harassment are handled within the industry, as well as the lengths to which some individuals and studios may go to protect their public image when faced with such claims.
