The ongoing legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni continues to intensify as new revelations emerge in court documents, including a particularly controversial email from Ryan Reynolds. The dispute, centered around the 2024 film It Ends With Us, has sparked widespread attention due to serious allegations and explosive communications involving numerous industry figures.
Background of the Lively-Baldoni Legal Dispute
The conflict began in December 2024 when Blake Lively formally accused Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment during the production of It Ends With Us. Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, alleging not only harassment but also retaliatory conduct and emotional distress, citing incidents such as body shaming and reputation damage. Baldoni has consistently denied these allegations, leading to a series of competing lawsuits valued in the hundreds of millions.
Both parties have involved various collaborators, including Baldoni’s production company Wayfarer Studios, its CEO, financial backers, and public relations personnel. The legal battle has escalated over the past year, drawing intense media scrutiny, with neither side conceding ground.
Revelations From Newly Unsealed Text Messages
This week, court papers made public unprecedented details, shedding light on the behind-the-scenes turmoil. Notably, a series of texts exchanged between Blake Lively and Taylor Swift reveal the emotional strain Lively experienced early in the conflict. Lively disparaged Baldoni by calling him the “doofus director of my movie,” and Swift offered her unwavering support, responding, “I’ll do anything for you!” The exchange also includes Swift’s suggestion that Baldoni was not “strategic,” highlighting the growing tension around the project.
In another revealing moment, Swift anticipates the impact of an impending New York Times article, noting,
“I think this b**** [Baldoni] knows something is coming because he’s gotten out his tiny violin.”
Lively’s criticisms extended to other celebrities, including Matt Damon and his wife Lucy, and even Ben Affleck, whom she reportedly described Baldoni as a “chaotic clown.”
Blake Lively and Brandon Sklenar Criticize Baldoni
Newly disclosed messages also show conversations between Lively and her co-star Brandon Sklenar, where they openly express frustration with Baldoni’s behavior during production. Lively alleges Baldoni entered an editing bay without permission, reviewing her cut of the film after she completed her version. She calls him “bats***,” while Sklenar says Baldoni is “definitely scrambling” and
“totally f***ing himself for any future work.”
Lively confirms there is much worse behavior she has kept private to focus on the work.
Lively recounts an incident on set where Baldoni hesitated to speak openly, fearing cancellation, and warned that
“you can’t say anything on this set anymore.”
Sklenar admits to vaguely recalling the episode but lacks details on what Baldoni intended to express. They describe Baldoni’s public persona as sharply contrasting his behind-the-scenes actions, with Lively suggesting he was “running from something gnarly” despite his polished TED talks and books. Sklenar agrees that this contrast “makes perfect sense.”
Jameela Jamil’s Controversial Comments
Further court materials expose messages in which actress Jameela Jamil harshly criticized Blake Lively. In August 2024, at the early stage of accusations leveled against Baldoni, Jamil labeled Lively a “suicide bomber” and “villain.” The texts were exchanged with Justin Baldoni’s publicist Jennifer Abel, who jointly mocked Lively’s “tone-deaf” promotion of the film, which many fans found insensitive given its serious subject matter of domestic violence.
The dialogue between Jamil and Abel also hinted at awareness of Baldoni’s “difficult” and allegedly “borderline abusive” on-set behavior, with Jamil commenting,
“At least borderline abusive is out there so she can’t go in with predator.”
When Lively posted a link to a domestic violence hotline and statistics about abuse in the United States, Jamil described the act as “cold” and “dead,” while Abel confessed, “I hate her so much.” Jamil added,
“So much; I’ve never seen such a bizarre villain act before; She’s OVER over.”
Ryan Reynolds Caught Up in Email Controversy
Among the explosive disclosures, an email from Ryan Reynolds to It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover has drawn significant fan criticism. Sent one day after the film’s August 10, 2024, premiere, Reynolds praises the movie as a “complete f*****g WIN” while taking a jab at Baldoni, whom he mockingly calls a “dumb-dumb.” Reynolds’s email humorously claims that those suffering from a “tummy bug” in New York might be
“ridding [their] body of any residual Baldoni.”
Reynolds’s dramatic prose continues, acknowledging the struggles behind the scenes:
“I know the road isn’t always easy or clear. When you’re a creator and apex storyteller like you, I can imagine it takes a very resolute mind and heart to process all the strange people with muddled intentions trying to warm their hands on your light.”
He compliments Hoover and the production team for turning “ingredients you didn’t ask for” into something “gorgeous” and praises their dedication and resilience.
Further, Reynolds’s message states,
“You and B made something gorgeous out of ingredients you didn’t ask for. Which is what makes you both (and this whole post production team) so clutch.”
He reflects on the rarity of such success, emphasizing how the team delivered against all odds. He also commends Sony for exceeding expectations in supporting the film.
The email elaborates on the personal sacrifices made during production, highlighting Lively’s tireless commitment:
“She didn’t sleep and missed countless moments with her kids while sitting in edit rooms, scrapping and frame f***ing dailies for every square inch of quality.”
Reynolds exclaims pride in Lively for transforming the film into a success for both Sony and Wayfarer Studios.
Text Messages Reveal Reynolds’s Frustration Towards Baldoni
In separate unsealed texts to his agent Warren Zavala, Reynolds voices sharp criticism of Baldoni, calling him a “dumb-dumb” and lamenting the lack of public accountability from Baldoni and his circle. Reynolds urges Baldoni and his team to “jump in front” of the growing gossip swiftly and fully, to protect Lively from negative narratives that could paint her as “controlling.”
He insists,
“They made a big f***ing mess. Blake – under NO CIRCUMSTANCES – should be asked to clean up this sloppy, cliched f***storm.”
Reynolds expresses his frustration that Lively, who should be “celebrating,” is instead embroiled in confrontation despite her significant efforts.
He highlights that Baldoni’s strained relationships extend broadly:
“Every cast member and key crew member (including Colleen) won’t be in the same room as the guy. All of them have at some point, over the last six months, unfollowed him on social media.”
He notes that none of the involved individuals have publicly mentioned Baldoni’s name in interviews.
Reynolds even crafted a satirical open letter he believes Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath should have released, admitting accountability for their “abhorrent” behavior on set and committing to serious workplace reforms. The letter acknowledges that the film’s success is “in spite of” their involvement rather than because of it.
Ongoing Legal Developments and Industry Impact
As the legal battle has stretched beyond a year, the stakes remain high. Lively’s lawsuit includes claims against Baldoni and his associates, targeting senior figures within Wayfarer Studios and PR representatives. Meanwhile, Baldoni pursued defamation claims against The New York Times and others, demanding damages initially set at $250 million and later increased to $400 million, though his suit naming Lively, her husband, and publicist Leslie Sloane was dismissed in June.
All parties continue to deny wrongdoing publicly, while the court proceedings unfold amid widespread attention from the entertainment industry and the media. The tension reflected in the emails, texts, and court submissions underscores a fractured working environment, raising questions about accountability and the treatment of women in Hollywood productions.
With reputations and careers at stake, the fallout affects not only those directly involved but also highlights broader industry conversations around workplace conduct, power dynamics, and support for survivors of harassment and abuse. Observers anticipate that the case’s outcome may influence future protocols and accountability measures on film sets in Hollywood and beyond.
