The escalating feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has evolved from on-set creative differences to one of Hollywood’s biggest legal battles in recent years. What started as a clash over artistic control on It Ends With Us has now turned into lawsuits, countersuits, leaked messages, and public relations warfare.

From Creative Disputes to Allegations of Harassment

Initially, reports of tension between Lively and Baldoni were framed as a creative struggle over how to adapt the popular novel. However, it soon became clear that the conflict ran far deeper.

Lively’s lawsuit, filed in December 2024, alleges that Baldoni sexually harassed her and created a hostile work environment on set. The complaint included the following claims:

• Baldoni allegedly made inappropriate sexual comments in front of cast and crew.
• He allegedly showed nude images and videos on set.
• He reportedly made remarks about Lively’s weight and personal life, including mentioning her deceased father.
• Lively’s team claims Baldoni attempted to add explicit sex scenes to the movie that were not in the original script.

Despite Sony Pictures agreeing to Lively’s boundaries, the conflict between her and Baldoni continued to escalate, eventually leading to the legal battle.

Did Lively Leak the Lawsuit to the Media?

One of the biggest accusations from Baldoni’s legal team is that Lively’s team leaked the lawsuit to The New York Times before it was officially filed, triggering massive media attention.

• Is this possible? Yes, but there’s no definitive proof that Lively or her team intentionally leaked the documents.
• How would the media get it?
  • If the lawsuit was already filed, journalists could have accessed it through public court records.
  • If The New York Times reported on details before the lawsuit was filed, it would suggest that someone provided them with inside information—possibly Lively’s team, a court insider, or even Baldoni’s side to control the early narrative.

Baldoni’s attorney, Kevin Fritz, argues that the alleged leak damaged Baldoni’s reputation, causing him to lose work and face industry backlash before the case was heard in court.

Baldoni’s Alleged Retaliation Campaign

Lively’s legal team claims that after she raised concerns, Baldoni orchestrated a smear campaign against her, attempting to destroy her reputation in Hollywood.

Evidence cited in the lawsuit includes:

• Leaked text messages from Baldoni’s PR team, allegedly stating that Baldoni “wants to feel like [Lively] can be buried.”
• Another message reportedly reading, “We can’t write we will destroy her.”

Lively’s team claims this targeted media attack was meant to discredit her and silence her accusations.

New Footage: Conflicting Interpretations

As part of his legal defense, Baldoni’s team recently released behind-the-scenes footage from It Ends With Us, showing a dance scene between him and Lively.

• Baldoni’s argument: The footage proves that his behavior was professional and appropriate and that the interactions were part of the scene.
• Lively’s response: Her team argues the footage is “damning” because it confirms her claims of unwanted touching, caressing, and off-script behavior.

This has led to polarized reactions, with supporters on both sides interpreting the video in completely different ways.

Baldoni’s Countersuits

In response to Lively’s lawsuit, Baldoni has filed two major countersuits:

1. A $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Lively’s publicist, Leslie Sloane, accusing them of attempting to sabotage his career.
2. A $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times for alleged defamation related to their reporting on Lively’s claims.

What’s Next?

• February 12 Court Hearing: The judge will review Lively’s request for a gag order, which would prohibit Baldoni’s lawyers from making public statements about the case.
• The case could take months or even years to resolve, as both sides continue to fight in the media and the courtroom.
• Industry insiders say this lawsuit could impact future Hollywood productions, setting new standards for on-set behavior and media strategy during legal battles.

With millions of dollars, reputations, and careers at stake, this Hollywood legal showdown is far from over.