highly anticipated film “It Ends With Us,” starring Blake Lively and directed by Justin Baldoni, made headlines last summer not just for its cinematic merits but for a very public and tumultuous feud between its lead actress and director. The drama began to unfold in early August 2024, when eagle-eyed fans and paparazzi noticed that Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni were notably absent from each other’s sides during the film’s New York City premiere on August 6. The absence of joint photoshoots and public appearances together sparked immediate speculation about the nature of their relationship off-screen. The situation took a darker turn when rumors began to circulate about a growing divide between the two, fueled further by Justin’s decision to hire a crisis PR manager. By the end of 2024, the rumors had escalated into a full-blown legal battle when Blake filed a lawsuit against Justin, alleging sexual harassment on the set of the film. The conflict continued to intensify in early 2025 when Justin retaliated by suing both Blake and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for what he claimed was an attempt to destroy his reputation.
The seeds of the feud appear to have been sown during the filming of “It Ends With Us.” On August 14, 2024, TMZ reported that Blake had felt uncomfortable during the filming of a kissing scene with Justin, with sources close to the production alleging that the director had lingered too long during the scene, making Blake feel uneasy. Furthermore, insiders revealed that Blake had felt fat-shamed by Justin during a scene where his character lifts her character into the air. According to these sources, Justin, who has a history of back issues, had apparently inquired about Blake’s weight with an on-set trainer, leading Blake to feel humiliated and targeted. These allegations were corroborated by an eyewitness who described the palpable tension on set, recounting how Blake would often express impatience after completing scenes and would quickly leave once she was done. The eyewitness’s account painted a picture of a toxic work environment that went beyond mere creative differences.
The strain between Blake and Justin seemed to extend beyond the set, with reports emerging about creative disagreements during post-production. According to The Hollywood Reporter, two different cuts of the film were made, reflecting the differing visions of Blake and Justin. Fans and followers of the stars also noticed that Blake and the author of the original book, Colleen Hoover, did not follow Justin on Instagram, despite him following them. This perceived social media snub only added fuel to the rumors of a deeper rift. Adding to the drama, a source revealed to PEOPLE that the principal cast, including Colleen Hoover, had distanced themselves from Justin, suggesting that the issues were far more widespread than initially thought.
The situation took a legal turn on December 21, 2024, when Blake filed a lawsuit against Justin, alleging sexual harassment. The lawsuit detailed several specific incidents that were said to have contributed to a toxic work environment, including the showing of nude videos or images of other women to Blake, inappropriate comments about Justin’s alleged past pornography addiction, and unwarranted discussions about sexual experiences in front of Blake and other crew members. The suit also mentioned that Justin had made inquiries about Blake’s weight and had attempted to add unsolicited sex scenes to the film that were not part of the original script Blake had approved. These alleged transgressions reportedly led to a meeting on set where these behaviors were addressed, and boundaries were set to prevent further incidents. Additionally, TMZ reported that the film underperformed at the box office, with differing opinions on marketing strategies being a point of contention between Blake and Justin. While Blake wanted to focus on her character’s resilience, Justin reportedly wanted to emphasize the film’s more serious themes, particularly its portrayal of domestic violence.
Justin’s response to these allegations was swift and vehement. His attorney, Bryan Freedman, released a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, calling Blake’s lawsuit “shameful” and “categorically false.” The statement suggested that Blake and her representatives were using these allegations as a way to salvage her public image, which had taken a hit due to her own remarks and actions during the film’s promotional campaign. Justin further escalated the situation by filing a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times on December 31, 2024, accusing the publication of promissory fraud and breach of implied-in-fact contract. The lawsuit stemmed from an article titled “We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine,” which Justin claimed was unfairly damaging to his reputation. The New York Times defended their reporting, stating that the story was meticulously researched and based on thousands of pages of documentation, including text messages and emails. They also emphasized their commitment to defending the lawsuit vigorously.
The legal battle reached new heights in January 2025 when Justin filed a lawsuit against Blake and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of hijacking the film and orchestrating a smear campaign to damage his reputation. The lawsuit alleged that Blake and Ryan had used their significant influence to manipulate the narrative around the film, effectively stealing control of the project from Justin and his studio. In an attempt to bolster his case, Justin released a voice message addressed to Blake, in which he expressed remorse for unspecified wrongdoings and referenced a meetup where a new script was allegedly written with Ryan and Taylor Swift in attendance. However, this attempt at damage control only seemed to complicate matters further. Blake and Ryan responded by filing a motion to dismiss Justin’s defamation lawsuit, arguing that the claims lacked merit. Adding another layer to the saga, a federal judge granted Blake’s request to protect sensitive information in the case, ensuring that certain details would remain confidential and accessible only to the attorneys involved.
In summary, the feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is a tangled web of creative conflicts, personal grievances, and legal battles that have captivated both the entertainment industry and the public. From the initial rumors of on-set tension to the escalating lawsuits, this drama highlights the fragile dynamics between powerful figures in Hollywood and the damaging consequences of unchecked egos and misunderstandings. As the legal proceedings continue to unfold, fans and industry insiders alike will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how this high-stakes conflict resolves.
