Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively: Legal Battle Over Film Set Allegations
Actor Justin Baldoni has publicly criticized Blake Lively, accusing her of adopting a “victim” stance during the filming of “It Ends With Us.” Baldoni likened her approach to what he called the “Taylor Swift playbook.”
Allegations and Court Proceedings
According to court documents accessed by Page Six, Baldoni discussed a meeting from January 3rd during his deposition. In this meeting, Lively outlined her conditions for returning to the film set, having already expressed discomfort regarding Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath to HR.
In response to the meeting, Baldoni communicated with friends, including Rainn Wilson and Andy Grammer, stating, “[Lively] had the nuclear bomb.” He suggested that if Lively chose not to promote the movie, she could portray him negatively, claiming she felt unsafe, which would make her appear as the victim.
Influence and Industry Dynamics
Baldoni acknowledged that Lively, along with Ryan Reynolds and Taylor Swift, wielded more influence in Hollywood than he did, impacting the film’s success. He expressed his concerns about facing powerful industry figures, describing himself as “spinning” during this period.
Demands and Legal Actions
Lively’s demands for returning to the set included the presence of an intimacy coordinator during filming and closed sets for scenes involving nudity or sex. She also requested no improvisation in intimate scenes and no comments about her appearance outside of character portrayal.
Baldoni had considered deposing Taylor Swift in the ongoing legal dispute, but this was unexpectedly dropped. The legal proceedings have reportedly strained the friendship between Lively and Swift.
Deposition Revelations
During the deposition, Baldoni admitted to discussing personal topics, such as his circumcision, with Lively while she was pregnant. However, he could not recall how the conversation started.
Ongoing Legal Dispute
On Thursday, Lively insisted on having her “day in court” after Baldoni sought to dismiss her lawsuit. Her legal team accused Baldoni’s side of trying to undermine her claims of harassment and retaliation, portraying her negatively.
Lively’s lawsuit includes allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, emotional distress, and lost wages, which she insists should be evaluated by a jury. She filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department in December 2024, followed by an official lawsuit later that month.
Baldoni countersued Lively for $400 million, but this was dismissed in June. He has requested the dismissal of Lively’s $161 million lawsuit, claiming a jury would not find him guilty.
