Blake Lively Accuses Co-Star of Misconduct on 'It Ends with Us' Film Set

Actress Blake Lively has filed a legal complaint against her co-star Justin Baldoni, alleging inappropriate conduct on the set of "It Ends with Us."

Rumors of tension between Lively and Baldoni have been circulating for some time, seemingly reaching a peak with Lively's lawsuit claiming Baldoni's actions caused her significant emotional distress. Notably, Baldoni not only co-starred but also directed the film.

The lawsuit identifies Baldoni, the production studio, and Baldoni's publicists as defendants. The filing, made public by CBS News, was officially submitted to the California Civil Rights Department.

Allegations of Retaliation

Lively's complaint outlines allegations following a meeting where she and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, addressed repeated inappropriate behavior by Baldoni. She claims Baldoni, along with the film studio, executed a complex strategy to tarnish her reputation after the discussion.

In her public statement, Lively expressed aspirations that her lawsuit would unveil and deter retaliatory tactics against individuals who speak out about such misconduct.

Condemnation and Defense

The lawsuit includes purported text messages between Baldoni's publicist and the studio's publicist, allegedly indicating efforts to damage Lively's career.

The legal complaint also accuses Baldoni of diverting from the film's marketing strategy and exploiting themes of domestic violence for image protection purposes.

Bryan Freedman, attorney for Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, dismissed the allegations as false and intended to smear his client's public image. Freedman claimed that any crisis management was preemptively enlisted due to alleged threats from Lively regarding her participation in the film's promotion.

Background and Reception

Based on Colleen Hoover's best-selling book, the film "It Ends with Us" debuted in August to eager audiences. Despite the swirling rumors of discord between the leads, its release saw strong anticipation.

Prior to the film's premiere, Baldoni conducted solo press interviews, with noticeable absences of joint appearances with the cast, including the New York premiere.

Lively stars as the protagonist, Lily, opposite Baldoni, who plays a seemingly charming neurosurgeon with a dark side.

Baldoni's Perspective on Film's Purpose

While promoting the movie, Baldoni expressed hope that the film could foster a conversation around accountability and empathy among men. He voiced a desire for male audiences to reflect on the characters and, if necessary, make changes in their own lives to prevent harm to loved ones.