Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are at the center of a massive legal battle with actor and director Justin Baldoni.
The couple has been sued for defamation after Baldoni, along with his publicists, accused the couple of conspiring to damage his career.
Baldoni, who starred in and directed the film It Ends With Us, claims that Lively fabricated false sexual harassment allegations to destroy his reputation.
Lively’s Legal Team Fires Back with Strong Defense
In response to the lawsuit, Lively’s legal team issued a pointed statement, accusing Baldoni and his team of using what they described as the “abuser playbook” to retaliate against Lively’s allegations.
The legal team argued that Lively had concrete evidence of sexual harassment and a toxic work environment on set, but now Baldoni was attempting to turn the tables and discredit her.
They suggested that Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, was using its resources to manipulate public opinion, filing lawsuits, and launching media campaigns to overshadow the truth.
Allegations of Hijacking Production
The lawsuit filed by Baldoni claims that Lively took over the creative direction of It Ends With Us, even though she had reportedly not read the book until filming was underway.
The suit describes how she allegedly pushed Baldoni aside, forcing him and his family to the basement during the film’s premiere and attempting to undermine his authority.
Baldoni’s lawsuit also highlights Lively’s alleged insensitivity to the film’s serious subject matter, accusing her of trivializing the story of domestic abuse by promoting a cocktail named after the abusive character in the film.
Sexual Harassment Claims Spark Heated Legal Tensions
Lively’s accusations of sexual harassment first came to light in an exclusive New York Times story, which included text messages that Baldoni’s team claims were taken out of context to paint him as the villain.
Baldoni, in turn, claims that Lively orchestrated a smear campaign to gain public sympathy, even accusing her of working with her publicist to spread a false narrative to the press.
This legal back-and-forth has escalated into a battle over public perception, with both parties claiming the other is responsible for the backlash surrounding the film.
Death Threats and Anti-Semitic Abuse
The lawsuit also details the personal toll the legal dispute has taken on Baldoni’s publicists, who reported receiving death threats and anti-Semitic abuse after Lively’s accusations were made public.
The publicists, Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, have since described the situation as “devastating,” accusing Lively of bullying them by manipulating the media to shift the blame for the negative publicity.
Unedited Text Messages Expose Contradictions in Lively’s Claims
As part of Baldoni’s defense, newly released court documents include the full, unedited versions of text conversations between Baldoni’s publicists.
These texts contradict Lively’s claims of a coordinated smear campaign and suggest that Lively’s team selectively edited the messages to fit their narrative.
The lawsuit portrays the ongoing legal battle as an attempt by Lively to avoid responsibility for her role in the backlash against the film.
A Feud that Began Over Creative Control
The legal feud between Lively and Baldoni began during the production of It Ends With Us, which tells the story of Lily Bloom, played by Lively, and her abusive relationship with Baldoni’s character, Ryle Kincaid.
The lawsuit notes disagreements between Lively and Baldoni over the film’s marketing, with Lively reportedly pushing to focus more on the romance than the abuse.
Tensions flared during promotional interviews when Lively was accused of being “tone-deaf” by failing to address the serious issues the film tackled.
Public Backlash and the Impact on It Ends With Us
Despite the intense backlash against Lively, It Ends With Us proved to be a box office success, surpassing expectations even amid the controversy.
The film’s popularity has not shielded it from criticism, however, as the ongoing feud between Lively and Baldoni continues to overshadow its release.
The couple’s legal issues seem far from over as both sides prepare for the next chapter of this highly publicized battle.
The Growing Legal Drama in Hollywood
As both Lively and Baldoni continue to fight their respective legal battles, the case highlights the tensions that can arise behind the scenes in Hollywood.
With high stakes and personal accusations flying, it remains to be seen how the legal drama will ultimately play out.
Fans and industry insiders alike are eagerly awaiting further developments in this increasingly tangled story.
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