In May 2024, Blake Lively sent an email to Ben Affleck pleading for support amid her ongoing issues with Justin Baldoni. This message recently went viral as part of court documents released in connection with Lively’s legal battle against Baldoni, the director and co-star of It Ends With Us. Despite the email’s emotional tone, no official reply from Affleck has surfaced in the extensive filings, leading many to believe he chose not to respond. However, some related exhibits remain sealed and have not been made public.
The Content and Tone of Lively’s Email to Affleck
The email begins urgently with,
“Ben, It’s Blake. Don’t hang up,”
setting an intense tone. Lively proceeds to praise Affleck before making a “zero-pressure” request. She confides she has just
come out the other side (well almost) of the most upsetting experience I’ve ever had on a movie.
Lively goes on to describe how she was forced to rewrite and restructure the film’s entire script, while navigating a chaotic production environment overseen by Baldoni, who acted as director, actor, producer, financier, and studio head. She claims this turmoil made the process much harder than it would have been if she had been allowed to direct the film herself, saying she was instead left to troubleshoot problems caused by Baldoni’s taste, ego and preexisting decisions.
Lively also references significant workplace issues by explaining,
And that’s not even touching on any of the wild HR issues and beyond,
before asking Affleck if he would be willing to view her version of the movie and offer any feedback. She adds that if Affleck’s then-wife, Jennifer Lopez, were available,
it would be an honor to have her take
on the film as well.
She further mentions how her husband, Ryan Reynolds, reached out to Affleck’s longtime friend and collaborator Matt Damon, who was likely reviewing the movie around the same time. Lively closes the email by praising good men for showing up and ends with the line,
“If you’re still reading this, whoa. You’re not nearly as busy as you think. Or you’re a very nice person.”
Context of the Legal Dispute and Its Wider Impact
The release of this email came amid a flood of related communications, including a leaked message to Damon and several texts between Lively and Taylor Swift, who is reportedly considered a hostile witness by Baldoni’s legal team. Lively and Baldoni are embroiled in a high-profile lawsuit that began in December 2024, where Lively accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of It Ends With Us, along with orchestrating a retaliatory smear campaign—a claim Baldoni denies.
Baldoni responded with a now-dismissed countersuit worth $400 million, accusing Lively of defamation and claiming she usurped control of the film’s production. The trial is scheduled for May 2026 in New York, where these tensions are expected to be aired publicly, drawing significant attention given the star-studded figures involved.
Significance of the Affleck Email in the Ongoing Drama
Blake Lively’s email to Ben Affleck has energized public debate over the conflict, highlighting the behind-the-scenes challenges she faced during the making of It Ends With Us. The unanswered message compounds speculation regarding Affleck’s role in the unfolding drama, while also shining a light on the broader difficulties within the film’s production environment. With the trial approaching, these disclosures may influence perceptions as the case progresses, potentially affecting the reputations and careers of those involved.
