The much-anticipated film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestseller It Ends With Us has been at the center of controversy, but it’s not just the plot that’s making waves. Tensions between stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have escalated into a legal battle, turning the behind-the-scenes drama into a public spectacle. While the movie promised to deliver an emotionally charged story, real-life disputes between the leads have overshadowed its release.
Here’s a closer look at what’s unfolded, with shocking allegations, lawsuits, and unexpected revelations dominating the narrative.
The Allegations Begin
Filming on It Ends With Us began shortly after Lively welcomed her fourth child. Reports suggest that tension grew early on when Baldoni, who not only stars as Ryle Kincaid but also directed the film, allegedly made comments about Lively’s post-pregnancy appearance.
Baldoni’s camp has maintained that his remarks were tied to concerns over physically demanding scenes, but Lively’s lawsuit paints a different picture. She interpreted the comments as “fat-shaming” and claimed they contributed to a hostile work environment.
According to Lively, Baldoni’s behavior on set went beyond unprofessional remarks. Her lawsuit alleges that he shared explicit images and stories, insisted on unnecessary sex scenes, and fostered a toxic environment for cast and crew.
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In one particularly shocking claim, she cited text messages that appear to show Baldoni and his PR team plotting a smear campaign against her.
Baldoni Fires Back
Justin Baldoni has denied the allegations and accused Lively of orchestrating a smear campaign of her own. As the drama unfolds, Baldoni’s legal team has hinted at filing a countersuit, which they claim will “shock everyone.”
According to The Daily Mail, his attorney, Bryan Freedman, argued that Lively’s claims were part of a calculated move to salvage her reputation following a flawed marketing strategy for the film. Baldoni’s camp also suggested that Lively planted stories in the media to turn public sentiment against him.
The nub of the legal action which Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman has spent the past few days preparing is that Lively’s complaint, unusually submitted to the California Civil Rights Department rather than a court, is a ploy to rebuild her public image.
It will be claimed that an admittedly poor working relationship with Baldoni and a misconceived marketing strategy to sell a movie about domestic abuse suitable for a fun ‘girls’ night out’ became a social media frenzy in which millions of people turned detective to delve into the evident froideur between Lively and Baldoni.
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A source close to Baldoni questioned the plausibility of Lively’s allegations, especially given her and her husband, Marvel star Ryan Reynolds’, power in Hollywood.
A source who was involved in the situation tells me: ‘Do you seriously think that Blake Lively, married to one of the most powerful men in town and represented by one of the most powerful publicists, is going to sit meekly by if she is sexually harassed on a film set, and then hang on for four months after the film is released before making a complaint? It makes no sense.’
The source adds: ‘Look, they never got on. Justin is very spiritual and a kind of unusual person. He is what you might call ‘hippie dippie’. He thinks he can talk to dead people. Would he have said that he had spoken to Blake’s dead father? Yes absolutely. Did he harass her? He says not.
The fallout has been far-reaching. Baldoni’s former publicist has filed a separate lawsuit against him, and his talent agency has severed ties with the actor-director. Meanwhile, Lively’s costars, including Jenny Slate and It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover, have publicly backed her claims. Additionally, Baldoni’s podcast cohost stepped down, and an award he was set to receive was rescinded amid the growing scandal.
Reports suggest that the tension peaked during post-production. Lively, dissatisfied with Baldoni’s direction, brought in her own editor and created a separate cut of the film. However, studio executives ultimately sided with Baldoni, choosing his version over hers.
What’s Next for “It Ends With Us”?
The legal battles and allegations have cast a long shadow over a film that aimed to deliver a powerful message about resilience and hope. Instead, the off-screen drama has taken center stage, leaving fans and industry insiders alike wondering how it will impact the careers of both stars.
As lawsuits continue to unfold, the truth behind these allegations remains uncertain. What should have been a celebrated adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s work has become a cautionary tale of professional conflicts and public fallout.
Where do you stand—Blake Lively or Justin Baldoni? Do you think Ms. Lively’s claims about Mr. Baldoni’s behavior are valid, or could she be attempting to repair her struggling reputation? Share your thoughts in the comments!
