Justin Baldona May Have To Sue Blake Lively: Celebrity Lawyer

Actor Justin Baldoni may have no choice but to sue his co-star Blake Lively, according to a celebrity attorney. Newsweek.

Newsweek reached out to attorneys representing Lively and Baldoni by email for comment Tuesday.

Why is this important?

Lively and Baldoni starred in the film It ends with uswhich Baldoni also directed and which was released in August 2024.

If Baldoni files a countersuit, it could shine a light on the dark side of filmmaking that is often glossed over by Hollywood’s public relations professionals.

What you need to know

For at least six months there were rumors that a conflict between Lively and Baldonieven when they were promoting the film together.

In December, Lively filed a complaint against Baldoni with the California Department of Civil Rights, which offered valuable insight into her bitter dispute with Baldoni and the relationship between PR firms and the Hollywood film industry.

She alleged that Baldoni sexually harassed her and launched a vindictive public campaign against her, claims he vehemently denies.

Wayne Dennison, who represented Johnny Depp in his successful lawsuit against his former partner Amber Heard Newsweek that Baldoni may feel compelled to file a counterclaim.

“Baldoni’s lawyers have suggested that a lawsuit against Lively is in the works. The question is whether this lawsuit will actually materialize,” he said.

Baldoni is already on trial The New York Times for covering Lively’s lawsuit.

“There are significant costs associated with simultaneously litigating separate lawsuits against two extremely well-funded opponents while defending a case that Lively has already brought against him,” Dennison said.

“However, Baldona appears to have had little choice if he hopes to avoid cancellation,” he said.

Dennison is co-chair of the brand and reputation management team at the law firm Brown Rudnick, which works to protect the reputations of celebrities and business people.

What people say

Blake Lively made a statement after filing a complaint in which she hoped her legal team would “help pull back the curtain on these sinister revenge tactics” she allegedly witnessed on set.

Baldoni’s lawyer stated in statement What Lively’s lawsuit was “deliberately obscene with the intent to publicly offend and reframe the media narrative.”

By Colleen Hooverwho wrote the book on which the film was based It ends with us based, posted a message on Instagram supporting Lively: “Thank you for being the person you are. Never change. Never wither,” wrote Hoover. She included a link to an article about Lively’s papers on Baldoni.

What will happen next

Baldoni may sue Lively for defamation and breach of contract. However, since he was the director of the film, it is unlikely that he will file a lawsuit through the California Department of Civil Rights, and will most likely file a lawsuit in federal court in California.

In the meantime, the California Department of Civil Rights is reviewing Lively’s complaint and will open an investigation if it deems there is sufficient reason to do so.