A fresh legal battle has erupted between Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and actor-director Justin Baldoni.
In a $400 million defamation lawsuit filed on January 16, 2025, Baldoni and his publicists claim that Lively and Reynolds maliciously attempted to ruin their careers.
The lawsuit accuses the Hollywood couple of orchestrating false sexual harassment claims to damage Baldoni’s reputation, particularly in connection to the domestic abuse film It Ends With Us, which Baldoni co-starred in and directed.
Allegations of Career Sabotage and Toxic Work Environment
The lawsuit outlines how Lively and Reynolds allegedly used their star power to hijack the movie’s production and promotion, with Baldoni’s camp accusing the couple of undermining him.
According to the legal documents, Lively is accused of taking over the creative direction of the film and alienating Baldoni from the cast and crew.
Additionally, Baldoni alleges that Lively’s behavior at the film’s premiere was egregious, claiming that she had security escort him and his family to a basement area, isolating them from the event.
The lawsuit also criticizes Lively for her dismissive attitude toward the film’s dark subject matter, specifically her controversial actions during the promotional campaign.
She allegedly made light of the film’s themes by naming a cocktail after the abusive lead character, sparking public backlash.
Furthermore, Lively is accused of refusing to engage with the domestic violence charity Baldoni had partnered with for the promotion.
Lively’s Legal Team Responds with Strong Accusations
Blake Lively’s legal team has vigorously denied Baldoni’s claims, calling his lawsuit part of an “abuser playbook” aimed at reversing the victim and offender roles.
They accuse Baldoni of trying to deflect from the sexual harassment allegations by attacking Lively, a strategy they argue is commonly used by abusers to undermine victims.
Lively’s attorneys further argue that Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, is leveraging its billionaire co-founder’s resources to issue media statements and file baseless lawsuits to distract the public from the harassment claims.
The legal team stresses that Lively’s involvement in overseeing the film’s distribution, which was a commercial success, was at Sony’s request.
They contend that Baldoni’s accusations are nothing more than retaliation against Lively for speaking up about the toxic work environment she endured on set.
A Bitter Back-and-Forth in the Media and Courtroom
This legal confrontation is only the latest chapter in an increasingly complicated legal war.
The conflict began before Christmas, when Lively sued Baldoni, claiming he had sexually harassed her on the set of It Ends With Us and created a toxic environment.
Baldoni has adamantly denied these allegations, with his new lawsuit accusing Lively of orchestrating a smear campaign through selective editing of text messages.
The ongoing legal proceedings have become a highly publicized affair, with both sides accusing each other of spreading lies and manipulating public opinion.
Baldoni’s publicists, who have faced death threats and abuse since Lively’s allegations became public, argue that Lively and her team initiated a media attack designed to shift the narrative and garner sympathy for her.
Lively’s Public Image Under Fire
Further complicating the situation is Lively’s response to the media backlash.
The actress has been accused of trying to use It Ends With Us as a platform to promote her own brands, including a cocktail company, in a way that many saw as insensitive to the movie’s serious themes.
Critics have called her promotional campaign tone-deaf and self-serving, particularly after she was blasted for hosting interviews that failed to address the film’s message of domestic abuse.
Moreover, the lawsuit details an alleged altercation during filming when Baldoni inquired about Lively’s weight for a scene where he was to lift her.
Lively reportedly felt “fat-shamed,” though those close to Baldoni insist that he was merely concerned about protecting his back due to a prior injury.
The Movie’s Success Amid Controversy
Despite the mounting controversy surrounding its production and promotion, It Ends With Us became a box office hit, although it received mixed reviews.
The film’s success at the box office stands in stark contrast to the public dispute between its stars, which continues to fuel media coverage and legal wrangling.
As the lawsuits unfold and tensions between Lively and Baldoni escalate, the full impact of the conflict on their careers and public images remains to be seen.
This legal drama, involving accusations of sexual harassment, defamation, and career sabotage, is sure to be one of Hollywood’s most talked-about stories of the year.
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