Justin Baldoni, the actor and director known for his role in Five Feet Apart, has been involved in a complicated legal situation with Bryan Freedman, the Los Angeles-based entertainment lawyer who now represents him.
Their professional relationship comes after previously facing each other in court on opposing sides.
The case in question revolved around Baldoni’s 2019 directorial debut, Five Feet Apart, which faced allegations of copyright infringement.
The Conflict Over Five Feet Apart
In September 2021, Bryan Freedman represented Travis Flores, a writer with cystic fibrosis who claimed Baldoni’s film copied his script, Three Feet Distance.
According to court documents, Flores had kept his script confidential, believing Baldoni was working on a competing project.
However, Baldoni allegedly had access to details of Flores’ script from a different source, leading to accusations that Five Feet Apart mirrored many elements of Three Feet Distance.
Though the case garnered attention, it was ultimately dismissed in March 2022 by a Los Angeles federal court.
Despite this, Baldoni and Freedman’s paths would cross once again.
This time, Baldoni hired Freedman to represent him in an ongoing legal battle involving another Hollywood figure, Blake Lively.
Baldoni’s Dedication to Claire Wineland
Before his legal drama, Baldoni made headlines with Five Feet Apart, a movie dedicated to Claire Wineland, a YouTuber with cystic fibrosis.
Wineland, who served as a paid consultant on the film, tragically passed away just before Baldoni could share the final cut of the film with her.
The film, which earned over $92 million at the box office, touched on themes of living with cystic fibrosis, and Baldoni has repeatedly expressed how deeply Wineland’s zest for life inspired him.
In an emotional Instagram post, Baldoni reflected on Wineland’s impact on both his personal life and his career, acknowledging that she had a lasting influence on his approach to both filmmaking and life.
Baldoni also encouraged his followers to support Claire’s Place Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to helping children and families affected by cystic fibrosis.
New Legal Drama Involving Blake Lively
In recent weeks, Baldoni has been embroiled in a fresh legal battle with his former It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively, filing a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist Leslie Soane.
This latest lawsuit follows accusations from Lively of sexual harassment and a smear campaign orchestrated by Baldoni in retaliation for her speaking out about her treatment on set.
The dispute began in August 2024, when rumors about tensions behind the scenes of It Ends With Us surfaced.
Lively later filed a formal complaint, accusing Baldoni of harassment and causing harm to her reputation.
In response, Baldoni filed lawsuits against both Lively and the New York Times for its coverage of the situation.
The Video That Sparks Further Tension
In a dramatic twist, Baldoni’s legal team released a video showing him and Lively on set during the filming of a dance scene for It Ends With Us.
The video appeared to show the two actors in good spirits, contradicting Lively’s claims of harassment.
However, Lively’s legal team hit back, arguing that the video revealed Baldoni’s inappropriate behavior toward her.
They pointed to multiple instances in the footage where Baldoni allegedly made unwanted physical advances, such as leaning in to kiss Lively and making uninvited comments about her appearance.
Lively’s team maintained that the actions seen in the video were not choreographed and that Baldoni’s behavior crossed a line.
They also argued that none of the intimacy shown in the scene was planned or agreed upon in advance, and that no intimacy coordinator was present to ensure proper boundaries.
Lively’s legal team also emphasized her discomfort during the scene, noting that her body language—leaning away from Baldoni—was an attempt to signal her unease with the situation.
They claimed that the release of the video was a manipulation designed to sway public opinion and undermine Lively’s claims.
Ongoing Legal Struggles and Public Fallout
As this legal saga continues to unfold, it has captivated public attention, with both Baldoni and Lively facing intense scrutiny.
Baldoni’s lawyer has firmly denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the released video proves the two actors were on good terms during the filming of the scene.
However, Lively’s team remains adamant that the video shows a pattern of behavior that she found troubling and unwelcome.
With both sides continuing to present their cases, it remains to be seen how this high-profile legal drama will ultimately play out in the courts.
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