The Blake Lively legal battle escalated as attorneys for the actress argued in court filings that Justin Baldoni, director and star of It Ends With Us, and his company Wayfarer Studios, attempted to evade responsibility for creating a hostile work environment during the film’s production and promotion. The heated dispute, ongoing for nearly a year, focuses on Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, and a damaging public smear campaign tied to the film’s success.
Attorneys Spar Over Hostile Environment Allegations
In recent legal filings, Blake Lively’s lawyers pushed back on Justin Baldoni’s motion for summary judgment, describing it as an attempt to avoid answering for the “hostile environment” she claims existed on set. They assert that Baldoni and his company tried to block Lively’s opportunity for a full day in court, accusing them of
“throwing the kitchen sink at Lively’s sexual harassment and retaliation claims.”
— attributed to Lively’s attorneys.
The filings further allege that:
defendants created a hostile environment, and when confronted with complaints, they abandoned Wayfarer’s policies by refusing to investigate the concerns.
— Lively’s legal team.
After Lively raised concerns about her alleged mistreatment, her attorneys claim Baldoni and Wayfarer responded aggressively, painting themselves as victims and accusing Lively of inventing complaints solely to seize control of the project. They maintain that, despite these assertions, the film was a commercial triumph, with the defendants benefiting substantially after It Ends With Us surpassed box office estimates.
Smear Campaigns and Retaliation Claims
Released in 2024, It Ends With Us was a major commercial success, earning $351 million on a $25 million budget. However, behind the scenes, tensions reportedly ran high. Lively’s lawsuit targets Baldoni, the film’s producers, and publicists, alleging she was subjected to a social media assault in which Instagram users branded her a “bully” and “mean girl.” She ties these actions to her complaints about Baldoni’s alleged sexual harassment on set.
Previously, Baldoni and his associates filed their own defamation suit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, but the court dismissed their claims, ruling that Baldoni could not sue another party simply for initiating legal action against him.
Court Filings Present Clashing Narratives
In developments last month, Baldoni’s attorneys filed for summary judgment, characterizing Lively’s accusations as “a litany of minor grievances,” not rising to the level of adverse employment action required for a retaliation claim. They dismissed Lively’s assertion of a coordinated PR-run smear campaign, suggesting instead that Baldoni merely sought to defend his reputation when faced with damaging allegations.
Baldoni sought the advice of a crisis-management public relations firm, as any responsible person in his position would do,
— Baldoni’s lawyers.
In response, Lively’s legal counsel accused Baldoni’s team of direct and repeated attacks on her reputation:
purposely, repeatedly, surreptitiously, and directly, attacked Lively’s character and reputation.
— Lively’s lawyers.
Next Steps in the Legal Dispute
If Justin Baldoni’s effort at summary judgment does not prevail, the Blake Lively legal battle could proceed to trial as early as March. A spokesperson for Baldoni did not offer a response to inquiries about the latest court filings. The case’s outcome will likely have significant implications for conduct and accountability on high-profile film sets and could affect how public relations efforts are navigated during disputes involving major Hollywood productions like It Ends With Us.
