The ongoing legal drama surrounding Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and their film It Ends With Us has taken another turn, as Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ longtime publicist, Leslie Sloane, is seeking to remove herself from the massive $400 million lawsuit Baldoni filed last month.
Publicist Fights to Be Removed from Lawsuit
On Thursday, Sloane’s attorney, Sigrid McCawley, filed a motion in a New York federal court requesting that both Sloane and her PR firm, Vision PR, be dismissed from Baldoni’s countersuit.
According to court documents obtained by DailyMail.com, McCawley argues that Sloane was unfairly dragged into the legal dispute as a distraction from Lively’s serious allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation against Baldoni.
The filing also pushes back against claims that Sloane orchestrated a “smear campaign” against Baldoni or leaked damaging stories about him.
Additionally, Sloane’s legal team pointed out that Baldoni’s lawyers have failed to present any concrete evidence of alleged extortion or show that Sloane personally benefited from any such actions.
Lively’s Role in the Film Sparks Debate
Baldoni has accused Lively of overstepping her role in It Ends With Us by exerting too much control over the film’s creative direction.
However, McCawley dismissed these claims as not only irrelevant but also rooted in sexism.
She pointed out that Lively, as an executive producer, had every right to provide input on the script, wardrobe, and editing.
“When Ms. Lively contributed to creative discussions, she was labeled as ‘tyrannical’ and ‘aggressive’—coded language often used against women in power,” McCawley stated.
The attorney further alleged that once Lively spoke up about Baldoni’s alleged misconduct, he and his team launched an aggressive campaign to discredit her, even hiring a crisis PR expert with the explicit goal of “burying” her reputation.
Allegations of On-Set Misconduct
As the lawsuit unfolds, Lively has amended her original complaint, adding claims that two other actresses from It Ends With Us also experienced discomfort due to Baldoni’s behavior on set.
While the complaint does not name these individuals, Lively’s legal team asserts that they are willing to testify and provide documents supporting her claims during the discovery phase.
However, a source close to Baldoni has strongly denied these allegations.
Speaking to DailyMail.com, the insider accused Lively of “grasping at straws” and lacking any real evidence.
“If Justin had actually harassed anyone on set, wouldn’t the first step have been to file an HR complaint?
There isn’t a single report, including from Blake herself,” the source said.
They also pointed out that cast members Isabela Ferrer and Jenny Slate have either publicly praised Baldoni or distanced themselves from the controversy.
The Evidence Battle Heats Up
While Baldoni’s camp insists that Lively has no solid proof to back up her claims, Lively’s team argues that their evidence is significant but being kept private to protect the alleged victims’ identities.
According to a spokesperson for Lively, these witnesses have permitted her to share their communications as part of the lawsuit and will provide testimony as the case progresses.
The amended complaint reportedly includes contemporaneous evidence supporting Lively’s claims and documents detailing alleged threats and harassment, not only against her but also against other bystanders involved in the production.
High-Stakes Lawsuits with No Signs of Settlement
The battle between Lively and Baldoni has escalated into multiple lawsuits.
In December, Lively filed her sexual harassment suit against Baldoni.
In response, Baldoni hit back with a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist, as well as a separate $250 million libel suit against The New York Times for its coverage of the case.
Despite the high financial stakes, neither side appears willing to settle.
A judge has scheduled the trial for March 2026, and both parties have opted to forgo mediation, ensuring a lengthy and contentious courtroom battle.
Baldoni’s Lawyer Speaks Out
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, recently addressed the case on Hot Mics With Billy Bush.
He confirmed that the allegations have significantly impacted Baldoni’s career, leading to the loss of “a substantial amount of work.”
However, when asked about potential mediation, Freedman made it clear that Baldoni has no interest in negotiating until he is fully cleared of any misconduct accusations.
“The priority for Justin is to have a determination that he did not engage in sexual harassment or any kind of smear campaign,” Freedman stated.
What’s Next?
With no settlement in sight and both sides digging in, this legal dispute is far from over.
The case is set to unfold over the next two years, with Lively and Baldoni preparing for a high-profile courtroom showdown.
As more evidence emerges, the stakes continue to rise in one of Hollywood’s most heated legal battles.
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