Justin Baldoni Says Blake Lively Told Isabella Ferrer To Avoid Him: Complaint

Justin Baldoni asserts Blake Lively called them It ends with us costar to “avoid” him in his claim against the actress-producer.

In a 179-page, $400 million lawsuit filed Thursday, Jan. 16, Baldoni, 40, sued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and their publicist, alleging defamation and extortion over a behind-the-scenes conflict on the set of the hit movie. One of the star-director’s accusations is that Lively, 37, “incited other cast members to avoid Baldoni in an attempt to give fans the impression that Baldoni had committed a flagrant sin.”

Isabella Ferrerwho played a younger version of Lively Lily’s character in flashbacks, was among them It ends with us contributors who reportedly unfollowed Baldoni on social media and did not appear with him during promotional events and the premiere of the film.

According to Baldoni’s lawsuit, “Baldoni is not being followed by cast members and even by the author of the book” on which the film is based. Colleen Hooverwas “a stark contrast to the warm praise and appreciation that had always been showered on his actors up to this point”.

The suit includes screenshots purportedly from Ferrer, 24, that indicate she thanked Baldona “for an incredible experience” in her first feature film. She allegedly wrote: “You are such a wonderful, intelligent and sincere director and you created such a comfortable, safe space for me to feel like I could fully step into this role. I couldn’t have asked for a more welcoming environment. This will stay with me for the rest of my life!!”

Baldoni’s lawsuit continues: “It is telling that Ferrer worked with Baldoni when Lively was not on set; It wasn’t until Ferrer spent a lot of time with Lively while promoting the film that Ferrer felt compelled to shun Baldoni, dismissing her kind words.”

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In a complaint dated December 20, Lively sued Baldoni and his partners, alleging that sexual harassment and a smear campaign in response against her In the statement, she alleged that Baldoni displayed “disturbing” and “unprofessional” behavior on It ends with us creating a “hostile work environment” and “grief, fear, trauma and extreme anxiety.”

This complaint included claims that Baldoni shot a sex scene between Ferrer’s character and Alex Neustadter as the young Atlas that was not in the early scripts. Baldoni, the suit alleges, added a “simulated sex scene” — including “a close-up of Young Lily’s face, accompanied by audible gasps at the moment of penetration” — that was included in his original a piece of film.

According to Lively, she “was informed that when this scene was being filmed, after Mr. Baldoni said ‘cut,’ he came up to the actors and said, ‘I know I’m not supposed to say that, but it was cool.’ and ‘have you practiced this before?'”

Ferrer has not commented since Lively’s first time legal documents. A representative for the actress did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

other It ends with us co-writers expressed their support for Lively after her complaint.

Costar Jenny Slate called Lively “a leader, loyal friend and trusted source of emotional support for me and many who know and love her,” expressing her “support as she takes action against those who reportedly planned and carried out an attack on her reputation. »

Brandon Sklenar, who played the older version of Atlas in the film, fans called out read Lively’s December 20 complaint in a supportive social media post. Hoover, 45, turned to Lively also on social media, writing: “From the day we met you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient.”

Last August, Ferrer called Lively an “angel” in an interview with PEOPLE. “She greeted me with the warmest hug and from then on it was just wonderful warmth and friendship,” she said of first meeting Cat alum. “Being able to connect with someone you’re sharing a role with is huge, and she’s just a good person.”