From allegations to counterclaims, the behind-the-scenes chaos of the film adaptation erupts into a complex legal battle between the two stars.
Since the much-anticipated release of It Ends With Us—the movie based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel—whispers of tension behind the scenes have only intensified. What initially seemed like a rumor has since spiraled into a full-blown legal dispute between the film’s lead, Blake Lively, and its director, producer, and co-star, Justin Baldoni. Allegations of sexual harassment from Lively and Baldoni’s countersuit for defamation and extortion have kept both fans and the media on edge. As the legal battle unfolds, the details of their warring lawsuits continue to unfold, with multiple claims, evidence leaks, and intense public scrutiny.
Timeline of the Legal Battle:
Jan 21, 2025: Baldoni Releases Video to Refute Lively’s Claims In a bid to disprove the allegations of sexual harassment levied against him, Justin Baldoni’s legal team shared behind-the-scenes footage from the set of It Ends With Us. The video featured the actors in a romantic slow-dancing scene, during which Lively appeared to suggest that they should focus on speaking instead of kissing. The footage also highlighted moments where Baldoni leaned in towards Lively, asking if she could smell his beard, which Lively responded to with laughter.
However, Lively’s legal team argues that the footage supports her version of events. They claim that Baldoni improvised the intimacy in an inappropriate manner, without prior consent, and that the scene was not properly managed by an intimacy coordinator. Lively’s team further filed a letter to the court requesting action against Baldoni’s lawyer for making public statements that they believe would prejudice the ongoing legal proceedings.
Jan 26, 2025: Baldoni’s Lawyer Responds to Allegations In a statement shared with Entertainment Weekly, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, pushed back against Lively’s allegations. He referred to her accusations as a “disturbingly false and well-calculated hit piece,” alleging that Lively’s goal was to ruin Baldoni’s reputation. Freedman expressed that Baldoni had evidence—text messages and video footage—contradicting Lively’s version of events and pledged to defend Baldoni’s innocence.
Jan 27, 2025: Leaked Audio of Baldoni’s Alleged Apology The drama escalated further when audio of Baldoni allegedly apologizing to Lively was leaked to Daily Mail. In the recording, Baldoni is heard acknowledging his mistakes and apologizing for falling short in their interactions. He expressed gratitude for Lively’s openness, admitting that he could have handled certain situations better, particularly with the film’s rooftop scene. While some may see this as an attempt at reconciliation, it remains unclear how this will affect the ongoing litigation.
Jan 27, 2025: Trial Date Set Later that day, a New York federal judge set the stage for a trial, officially scheduling it for March 9, 2026. A pre-trial conference is also planned within the next week. The timeline is expected to allow both sides to prepare their cases, which may include further legal motions and evidence disputes.
This complicated legal situation has placed It Ends With Us in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, overshadowing what was meant to be a successful film release. As the case continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the feud between Lively and Baldoni will impact their careers—and the public’s perception of the beloved story they brought to life on screen.