The production of the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s “It Ends With Us” has become the center of a complex and increasingly acrimonious legal battle between its star and producer, Blake Lively, and its director and co-star, Justin Baldoni. The dispute involves allegations of sexual harassment, a retaliatory smear campaign, defamation, and even the involvement of Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, and singer Taylor Swift.
Blake Lively’s Initial Allegations:
The legal saga began in December 2024 when Blake Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, accusing Justin Baldoni of creating a hostile work environment through inappropriate sexual comments and boundary violations during the filming of “It Ends With Us.” Simultaneously, a New York Times article reported that Baldoni had allegedly hired a PR team to damage Lively’s public image after she confronted him about the alleged harassment. Following this, Lively filed a federal lawsuit against Baldoni, reiterating the claims made in her Civil Rights Department complaint.
Justin Baldoni’s Defiant Response and Counter-Lawsuit:
Justin Baldoni has vehemently denied all allegations of sexual harassment and retaliatory behavior. In a significant counter-move, Baldoni, along with nine others, including his crisis PR team and production colleagues, filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times for their reporting on the conflict. Subsequently, Baldoni escalated the legal battle by filing a staggering $400 million civil lawsuit against Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist. His lawsuit accuses the power couple of civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy, alleging that Lively threatened to make false sexual harassment claims and sabotage the production to gain more creative control over the film. Baldoni claims Lively attempted to exclude him from the creative process, dismiss his editors, and bar him from the film’s premiere.
Taylor Swift’s Unexpected Involvement:
Adding an unexpected layer to the drama, Taylor Swift’s name has been drawn into Baldoni’s countersuit. According to court documents, Baldoni alleges that Lively referred to Swift and Reynolds as her “dragons” during a meeting regarding the movie and likened herself to Daenerys Targaryen (Khaleesi) from “Game of Thrones,” a claim that reportedly infuriated the Grammy-winning singer. Baldoni’s legal team also claims that Lively brought Swift to the film set during a controversial rooftop scene. Sources suggest Swift felt “uncomfortable” being dragged into the legal entanglement, as she was merely there to support her friend. While there were rumors of a temporary rift between Lively and Swift, recent reports indicate they have reconciled.
Key Evidence and Legal Maneuvering:
Baldoni’s legal team has presented a resurfaced behind-the-scenes video from Lively’s 2018 movie “A Simple Favor” as key evidence against her sexual misconduct claims. The video shows Lively joking about grabbing her co-star Henry Golding’s crotch during an improvised scene, which Baldoni’s lawyers argue undermines Lively’s accusations against him. Lively’s legal team has dismissed this, stating the video is being used as a “stunt” to distract from the evidence against Baldoni.
Lively has also filed a motion to dismiss Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit, calling it a “vengeful” attempt to silence her after speaking out about alleged sexual harassment. Baldoni’s legal team has countered this, arguing that the legal protections cited by Lively should not apply and even deeming them unconstitutional in this context.
The Contentious Film and its Themes:
The underlying film, “It Ends With Us,” deals with sensitive themes of domestic violence and emotional abuse. Ironically, Lively faced criticism during the film’s promotional tour for allegedly adopting a “tone-deaf” approach and failing to adequately address these serious issues.
Looking Ahead:
Legal experts suggest that a settlement in this highly acrimonious case is likely before it reaches trial, which is currently scheduled for March 2026. However, they also predict that the situation will likely become even nastier as both sides present their evidence and arguments. The “It Ends With Us” controversy serves as a stark example of the complexities and potential for conflict that can arise during film productions, especially when dealing with sensitive topics and power dynamics.