Advertisement
This legal battle between It Ends With Us director and star Justin Baldoni and actress Blake Lively is spiraling into a full-blown Hollywood courtroom saga, complete with sharp accusations, big-money lawsuits, and behind-the-scenes drama. What started as allegations of harassment and defamation has now turned into one of the most talked-about legal fights in the industry.
Things took an explosive turn when Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, publicly slammed Lively, labeling her an “elitist manipulator” after she tried to have his countersuit thrown out. Freedman didn’t hold back, accusing Lively of using the legal system to her advantage, twisting laws meant to protect victims for her own benefit.
“Lively’s recent attempt to walk away from this mess—one she created—is a clear abuse of the courts,” Freedman said in a statement. “The legal system isn’t a tool for the privileged to bend at will.”
At the core of the dispute are multiple lawsuits from both sides. Lively initially accused Baldoni of sexual harassment in December, which prompted Baldoni to hit back with a massive $400 million countersuit. His lawsuit doesn’t just target Lively—it also names her husband, Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist, Leslie Sloane, accusing them of defamation and extortion. Naturally, both sides deny all allegations against them.
Lively’s lawyers argue that Baldoni’s lawsuit is nothing more than a legal stunt designed to silence her. They claim it’s a violation of California’s laws protecting people who speak out about harassment and insist that Baldoni’s case is on shaky legal ground due to protections like anti-SLAPP laws, which prevent people from being sued for speaking on matters of public interest.
Meanwhile, Baldoni’s team is calling foul on Lively’s handling of the situation. They claim she deliberately leaked confidential details from a legal complaint she filed with the California Civil Rights Department, using media coverage to sway public opinion. His attorneys also took aim at Reynolds, alleging that he made light of the entire situation by planning a joke about it during the SNL50 special earlier this month.
Lively’s camp isn’t backing down either. They claim she and others involved in the case have faced harassment and threats, prompting them to request court protections on sensitive case materials. They argue that privacy and witness safety are now at risk.
To make things even messier, Sony Pictures—distributor of It Ends With Us—was reportedly caught in the middle of the conflict during filming. A report from The Hollywood Reporter suggests that Sony executives prioritized keeping Lively happy over addressing Baldoni’s concerns, adding another layer to this already chaotic feud.
With both sides digging in their heels, the stage is set for a blockbuster legal showdown in March 2026. The outcome could have serious implications for how Hollywood handles workplace misconduct claims and legal disputes. For now, it looks like this fight is far from over, and the entertainment world is watching every twist and turn.