Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Gotham/GC Images; Gotham/WireImage
Justin Baldoni blames Blake Lively a concerted effort to remove him from the filmmaking process for their 2024 drama It ends with us.
In addition to claiming that Lively tried dig out a creative direction from him, Baldoni, who also directed the film, claims that 37-year-old Lively tried to prevent him from attending the film’s premiere.
Baldoni’s accusation came to court he filed on Tuesday, December 31, against The New York Times. He is seeking $250 million in four claims, including defamation and invasion of privacy.
The claim received in Us Weeklyclaims that Lively “systematically excluded (him) from marketing his own film.”
UPDATE 12/31/21, 11:30 p.m. ET: Justin Baldoni was one of 10 plaintiffs to file a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times over a story about singer Blake Lively after she sued him for sexual harassment harassment The plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which also include publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, as well as It Ends With Us (…)
“Further undermining Baldoni’s role, Lively initially refused to allow him to attend the film’s premiere,” the lawsuit states. “Only after considerable pressure did she reluctantly agree to allow Baldona and the Wayfarer crew to attend, but on humiliating terms. The Wayfarer crew and their families, including Baldoni and (producer Jamie) Heath, were separated from the main cast, denied access to an exclusive afterparty and forced to host their own event at an additional cost.”
Blake Lively Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
The lawsuit goes on to describe Lively’s alleged attempt to ostracize Baldona and his family at the film’s premiere.
“Baldoni’s red carpet presence was cut short, and his family and friends were imprisoned in a makeshift basement holding area before being escorted to a separate theater after Lively’s departure,” the lawsuit further states. “Not only did Lively steal the movie, but she robbed Baldoni and his team of any real opportunity to celebrate their hard work.”
Baldoni, 40, further accuses Lively and her man, Ryan Reynolds, using scare tactics to “kick” him out of his own movie. In addition to her alleged attempts to bar Baldoni from the premiere, the lawsuit alleges that Reynolds, 48, tried to use his influence to convince Baldoni’s agent to drop him as a client.
At first, it seemed like Justin Baldoni had nothing but positive things to say about his It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively as reports of an on-set feud continue to circulate online. The drama officially opens in theaters in August 2024, and Baldoni, who directed and co-starred with Lively, praised his on-screen co-star. (…)
“Baldoni and (Wayfarer Studios) became increasingly fearful of what Lively and Reynolds were capable of as their actions appeared to be aimed at destroying Baldoni’s career and personal life,” the lawsuit states.
Lively’s attorney responded to Baldoni’s lawsuit, saying in a statement Us Weekly that this does not change the charges she brought against him.
“Nothing in this lawsuit alters the claims made in Ms. Lively’s complaint with the California Division of Civil Rights or her federal complaint filed earlier today,” the statement said. “This lawsuit is based on the patently false assumption that Ms. Lively’s administrative complaint against Wayfarer et al was a ruse based on her choice ‘not to file suit against Baldoni, Wayfarer,’ and that ‘litigation was never her ultimate goal.’ As Ms. Lively’s federal complaint filed earlier today demonstrates, that frame of reference for the Wayfarer lawsuit is flawed. While we will not be contesting this matter in the press, we encourage people to read Ms Lively’s complaint in its entirety. We look forward to hearing each of Wayfarer’s charges in court.”