In a recently surfaced audio recording, Scarlett Johansson has been drawn into the ongoing dispute surrounding the production of the film It Ends With Us, highlighting tensions involving Blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni. This unearthed audio offers insight into the dynamics behind the scenes, with Wayfarer cofounder Steve Sarowitz discussing his contrasting experiences working with Johansson and Lively during the filming period.
The audio, obtained by Us Weekly, reveals Sarowitz’s positive remarks about Johansson’s demeanor while working on her directorial debut, Eleanor the Great. However, he expressed a more critical perspective on Blake Lively, whose interactions during It Ends With Us production appeared challenging in comparison.
Steve Sarowitz Praises Johansson but Highlights Differences with Lively
During a candid conversation with filmmaker Claire Ayoub, Sarowitz enthusiastically congratulated Scarlett Johansson on her first major directing opportunity. He said,
“I love this women’s empowerment. We have another first-time director we supported,”
emphasizing his excitement to help Johansson’s career take off.
When Ayoub expressed her enthusiasm for Johansson, Sarowitz joked,
“We’re trying to give her her first big break. Maybe people will hear of her after this.”
Turning to the atmosphere on the It Ends With Us set, Sarowitz described Johansson as
“so cool, calm, collected and confident … and nice,”
contrasting her behavior with Lively’s. He noted,
“It’s so interesting because you work with so many people. Almost everybody is nice, and then there’s Blake — she is totally different than everyone else. Not to say anything bad about her, but she’s different.”
Sarowitz continued by reflecting on the importance of kindness in the industry:
“I think for the most part most people see what we are doing see we’re nice and they’re nice back. Even if they weren’t perfectly nice. I just think some people forgot to learn how to be nice.”
Context of Previous Relationships Among Ryan Reynolds, Johansson, and Lively
Notably, Ryan Reynolds, Scarlett Johansson’s ex-husband, was married to Johansson from 2008 until their divorce in 2011. Following their split, Reynolds tied the knot with Blake Lively in 2012, while Johansson remarried in 2020 to Colin Jost after her second marriage concluded in 2017. These personal histories add another layer to the already tense interactions surrounding It Ends With Us, featuring both Lively and Johansson in intersecting professional and personal circles.
The Audio Surfaces Amid Legal Battles and Allegations
Lively’s legal team submitted the audio as part of ongoing litigation involving Justin Baldoni. The actress filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in December 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment, allegations he has denied. A countersuit by Baldoni was later dismissed, and a trial between Lively and Baldoni is scheduled for May.
The audio also sheds light on the discord linked to the film’s release, which took place in August 2024. According to Sarowitz, the production team was “not excited” about the final outcome.
He said,
“We did our best to keep it centered on that. We didn’t succeed,”
referring to efforts to align the project with the goals of the No More Foundation, an organization targeting the eradication of domestic violence, which was partnered with the film.
In the recording, Sarowitz also defended Baldoni, suggesting the allegations against the director were
“manufactured on purpose to take Justin down.”
Dissenting Voices Emerge from the “It Ends With Us” Cast and Crew
The conflict extends beyond Johansson and Lively, with author Colleen Hoover, who wrote the source novel, expressing her disappointment with Baldoni. Hoover revealed during her deposition that Baldoni portrayed Lively as exhibiting “narcissistic behavior” concerning the film, which left Hoover feeling manipulated.
Hoover stated,
“For a man who has a platform of building women up, that I left the dinner disappointed that it felt like I was made to not like her,”
and added,
“I left the dinner feeling like the intention was to get me on their side or, you know, just explain their side before I heard it from her.”
Jenny Slate, who played Baldoni’s character’s sister in the film, also shared strong criticisms regarding the shoot environment. Text messages from Slate, dated October 2023 and June 2023, describe frustration and disillusionment with Baldoni’s behavior and management style on set.
In one message, Slate wrote,
“Sometimes I get so angry at myself for ignoring signs in Justin that I should have taken seriously in terms of ‘wait…is this person ACTUALLY in line w a feminist perspective?’”
In another, she expressed a desire to avoid any further association with Baldoni:
“Hey guys- i don’t want to do anything with Justin, i don’t want to talk about him, like … nothing.”
Slate labeled Baldoni as “truly a false ally” and
“the biggest clown and the most intense narcissist,”
revealing a deep dissatisfaction shared by others on set, including complaints to Sony executive Ange Giannetti.
Additional Perspectives from Former Colleagues Add to the Controversy
Liz Plank, Baldoni’s former podcast co-host who resigned in December 2024, reportedly sent a text to Ryan Reynolds in April 2023 warning Blake Lively about “red flags” in Baldoni’s behavior. Plank described working on Baldoni’s set as
“truly one of the worst days of my life,”
though she pledged support by saying, “it’s survivable and I’ll help.”
Text exchanges from May 2023 between Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios CEO Jamey Heath revealed that Heath was not informed of certain “comments” made by women involved in the production, but Baldoni was aware of these concerns. In response to the situation, Baldoni mentioned,
“He said he should come to sit [sic] and remind Blake whose money this is and I said that’s not the best idea.”
Heath added,
“He said that to me too regarding how difficult she is to work with. He doesn’t quite get the nuance.”
Implications of the Dispute and Upcoming Trial
These revelations about Scarlett Johansson, Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and their collaborators add complexity to an already intense legal and professional conflict. As the May trial approaches, the wider impact on the reputations and careers of those involved remains uncertain, especially given the serious nature of the harassment allegations and publicized disputes.
The ongoing fallout highlights challenges within the entertainment industry regarding power dynamics, workplace conduct, and the intersection of personal relationships with professional collaborations. Observers anticipate that the trial may provide further clarity but also deepen existing divisions among the parties.
Meanwhile, the spotlight on Scarlett Johansson’s directorial efforts contrasts sharply with the storm surrounding It Ends With Us, underscoring the varied experiences of women in Hollywood navigating empowerment alongside controversy.
