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Last summer, the cast and crew of It Ends With Us found themselves in a highly publicized conflict that captured the attention of fans and media alike. The situation escalated when observant TikTok users noted that film star Blake Lively and her co-star as well as director, Justin Baldoni, failed to take photographs together during the New York City premiere on August 6, 2024. This sparked rumors suggesting that the cast had deliberately distanced themselves from Justin, a notion further fueled when he employed a crisis public relations manager to address the mounting issues. By the end of 2024, things took a serious turn when Blake filed a lawsuit against Justin, alleging sexual harassment that occurred during the filming of their movie. In a surprising twist, Justin retaliated in early 2025 by filing a lawsuit against both Blake and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.
Hollywood Life is providing an in-depth examination of the timeline surrounding the escalating drama and the subsequent legal battles between Blake and Justin, detailing the key events and statements that led to this tumultuous situation below.
Unfolding Drama: Tensions Between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni
On August 14, 2024, reports from TMZ revealed that noticeable discomfort existed between Blake and Justin during the filming of a pivotal kissing scene. According to insiders, the A Simple Favor actress felt that the director was ?lingering? uncomfortably long during the intimate moment on camera, which raised concerns about professional boundaries. This revelation shed light on the underlying tensions that seemed to permeate their working relationship, making fans question the dynamics on set.
Further complicating matters, sources indicated that Blake perceived comments from Justin as ?fat-shaming? while they were filming a scene in which his character, Ryle, lifts her character, Lilly, into the air. Justin, who reportedly has a history of back issues, allegedly inquired about Blake’s weight from an on-set trainer, leading her to feel self-conscious and attacked regarding her body image. Such incidents contributed to the growing sentiment of unease and discontent on set, highlighting the challenges faced by actors in high-pressure environments.
Page Six reported that an eyewitness described the ?tension? that was palpable in Blake during the filming of It Ends With Us. The source recounted, ?The tension was so obvious,? highlighting that once Blake completed her scenes, she displayed impatience, asking, ?Am I done? Can I go?? The moment they confirmed she was free, she reportedly left the set in haste, illustrating her desire to distance herself from the uncomfortable environment.
Fans began speculating about whether Blake and Justin would reunite for the sequel, It Starts With Us. However, a source informed Variety on August 27, 2024, that there is ?no world where these two will work together again.? This revelation raised eyebrows as it suggested a permanent rift, indicating that the fallout from their experiences on set would have lasting repercussions for future collaborations.
?This is uncharted territory, and nobody has any idea of what a sequel could look like,? the insider noted, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding the project and the potential impact of their discord on its development.
Understanding the Escalation of Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni?s Conflict
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the working relationship between the filmmakers became strained during the post-production phase. The publication revealed that two different cuts of the film were created, suggesting significant creative differences that led to an alleged divide among the cast and crew. Such rifts can often create an environment of mistrust and animosity, further complicating collaborative efforts in the filmmaking industry.
Additionally, internet sleuths have noted that Blake and It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover do not follow Justin on Instagram, despite him following both of them. This social media activity indicates a possible underlying tension and may suggest a broader issue within the cast?s dynamics, as friendships and professional relationships often intertwine in the high-stakes world of Hollywood.
PEOPLE reported on August 13, 2024, that the rumored tension surrounding Justin extended to the ?principal cast? and Colleen. This revelation painted a picture of a fractured group dynamic, where interpersonal relationships were strained and professional collaborations were jeopardized.
?All is not what it seems,? an insider from the set conveyed to the publication. ?There is much more to this story. The principal cast and Elisabeth McGowan Colleen Hoover will have nothing to do with him.? This statement underscores the complexity of the situation, hinting at deeper issues that might not be immediately visible to the public.
Legal Actions: Blake Lively Files Suit Against Justin Baldoni
On December 21, 2024, TMZ reported that Blake took a significant step by filing a lawsuit against Justin for alleged sexual harassment. The lawsuit detailed troubling incidents that reportedly transpired on the set of It Ends With Us, including an all-hands meeting aimed at addressing the alleged toxic work environment. The demands discussed during this meeting were alarming, pointing to a need for serious changes in workplace culture. Among the demands were prohibitions on showing nude videos or images of other women to Blake, refraining from comments about Justin?s alleged previous ?pornography addiction,? and ceasing discussions about sexual experiences in front of Blake and others.
Additional stipulations mentioned in the lawsuit included a ban on any references to the cast and crew?s genitalia and inquiries about Blake?s weight. These demands highlight the gravity of the allegations and the toxic atmosphere that Blake was subjected to, raising important questions about accountability in the entertainment industry.
TMZ also reported that It Ends With Us was deemed a box office failure, attributed to the discord between Blake and Justin regarding the film’s marketing strategy. Allegedly, Blake wanted the narrative to emphasize her character?s resilience, while Justin aimed for a more serious tone, reflecting the film?s themes of domestic violence. This conflict in vision may have contributed significantly to the film’s underperformance.
In response to Blake?s lawsuit, Justin?s attorney, Bryan Freedman, issued a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, denouncing her claims as ?shameful.? He argued that Blake and her representatives were making ?serious and categorically false accusations? against Justin, Wayfarer Studios, and its representatives. This statement suggested a robust defense strategy, indicating that Justin was prepared to contest the allegations vigorously.
Justin Baldoni Takes Legal Action Against The New York Times
On December 31, Variety reported that Justin initiated a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times due to a published article titled, ?We Can Bury Anyone?: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine.? The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Justin and several other plaintiffs, alleged promissory fraud and breach of implied-in-fact contract, indicating Justin?s commitment to defending his reputation against perceived media attacks.
In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for NYT stated, ?The role of an independent news organization is to follow the facts where they lead. Our story was meticulously and responsibly reported, based on a review of thousands of original documents, including the text messages and emails that we quote accurately and at length in the article. So far, Wayfarer Studios, Mr. Baldoni, and the other subjects of the article have not pointed to a single error. We plan to vigorously defend against the lawsuit.? This statement reflects the newspaper’s confidence in its reporting and its readiness to confront legal challenges.
Justin Baldoni Files a Lawsuit Against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
On January 16, 2025, Justin escalated the legal battle by filing a lawsuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of hijacking It Ends With Us and damaging his reputation through false allegations of sexual harassment. According to Variety, the complaint asserted, ?This is a case about two of the most powerful stars in the world deploying their enormous power to steal an entire film right out of the hands of its director and production studio ? When Plaintiffs have their day in court, the jury will recognize that even the most powerful celebrity cannot bend the truth to her will.? This bold statement indicates Justin?s determination to clear his name and seek justice in a highly publicized conflict.
