Endless bickering for the two stars of “It Ends With Us“, the film based on the famous novel by Colleen Hoover. Actress Blake Lively and her co-star, Justin Baldoni, just didn't get along on the set of the film, despite the “chemistry” between the two characters.
After having separately conducted promotional tours for the film, Serena van der Woodsen of “Gossip Girl” sued the colleague for alleged sexual harassmentwhich would have caused the 37-year-old actress a “severe emotional stress“.
The news of the complaint was reported by the website TMZ, according to which the shocking news has now been added to the months of arguments behind the scenes of the film. The fans were shocked, especially given that Baldoni has long been committed to combating violence against women and, indeed, the very approach in this sense with respect to the film would have distanced the two actors during the publicity tour.
Here's everything we know about Blake Lively's complaint against the “ actorIt Ends With Us“, Justin Baldoni.
Blake Lively denounces Justin Baldoni: why?
According to what has been learned from sources close to two actors, the star of “Adaline“, Blake Lively, would sue her co-star in the film adaptation of “It Ends With Us“, Justin Baldoni. The complaint concerns alleged sexual harassment, which would have deeply harmed the 37-year-old actress.
Everything, Lively's lawyers say, was done to destroy the actress's reputation, already compromised by the statements and criticisms rained down on her during the promotion of the film. As TMZ reports, in fact, the complaint against the actor Justin Baldoni would be the result of a meeting, in which both the two protagonists and Blake Lively's husband, Ryan Reynolds, took part.
At the meeting, the actress's lawyers made some requests. Specifically:
Don't show Blake any more nude videos or images of women; no longer mention Baldoni's alleged previous “pornography addiction”; no longer discussing sexual conquests in front of Blake and others, no longer mentioning cast and crew genitals; don't ask anymore about Blake's weight; Don't mention Blake's dead father again. No additions of sex scenes, oral sex, or on-camera climaxes by Blake outside the scope of the script approved by Blake at the time of signing the project
Baldoni's response
It seems like an open war between the two actors, who will now find themselves having to clash on a legal level. Yet, the disagreements between the two began long before this dramatic epilogue. In fact, the first issues came home to roost during the filming of “It Ends With Us“, where both Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively acted as leading actors and directors.
The two had profoundly different visions of the film. The rift revealed itself in all its severity precisely with the beginning of publicity for the film. Indeed, the conflict would have exploded because the actress wanted a more “optimistic about his character's resilience“, which, moreover, would have been foreseen by the marketing plan. On the contrary, Baldoni would have insisted on the focus on domestic violence, effectively distancing himself from the promotional plan.
According to what was reported in the US press, the actor's lawyers have already refuted these accusations. According to the defense, however, the complaint is nothing more than a vain attempt to restore Blake Lively's damaged reputation.
Bryan Freedman, the actor's defense lawyer, states that: “The lawsuit was designed to correct its negative reputation. The statements are false, outrageous and intentionally salacious, with the intent to publicly damage his reputation (by Baldoni ndr)”. And he adds: “Lively was a nightmare on set, threatening to not show up, threatening not to promote the film, ultimately leading to her disappearance during its release“.
Fan criticism and support from the cast
The issue, however, seems far from being resolved in a short time and, indeed, it seems that supporters have already begun to take sides on one side or the other. Although, in fact, Blake Lively can boast the support of some members of the cast and even the author Colleen Hoover in her complaint, Justin Baldoni, however, has earned the hearts of fans.
Both during the filming and during the marketing phase of the adaptation, a hail of criticism fell on the actress from fans. Many have complained about a certain “superficiality” in Lively's way of approaching the storyconsidering the delicate theme of the plot.
“No matter how much Blake is trying to cover himself with sparkles, flowers, and a big fake smile, people can see who is right or wrong here. Justin you did really well on this project” writes a user under an Instagram post of the actor. While another simply comments: “We see you and respect you“.
Another fan's comment was more direct:
I saw the film and was very disappointed. Justin's portrayal of Ryle was incredible. But Blake was no Lily. His scenes were bland and emotionless. I cried so much in the book. The film didn't make me shed a tear. The scene where he asked for divorce was the worst. She was smiling, not upset. That should have been the strongest scene, if not the most powerful. Once again Justin arrives with all his emotion to save the scene. All of his angry scenes were truly scary.
I can see how he was slowly crushed by Blake, Colleen, Ryan. Plus, behind the scenes, you can see Blake objecting to all of Justin's direction. I bet he regretted choosing her. I was a huge fan of her and her husband, but this put a bad taste in my mouth. I don't think I'll see him again. He said in an interview that this is not a DV movie, well, newsflash, the book is. He remade the film to avoid the main topic. I just listened to the author's note for the book and Colleen only talked about writing this book for her mother and the effects of rape. I think Justin was afraid of losing focus and he lost it. And what the fuck about “It Ends with us” Bubba!!!
However, Blake Lively appears to have not been the only one to point the finger at her co-star. News of incorrect behavior on the part of Justin Baldoni began to leak out as early as the beginning of 2024. Giving voice to the criticism, the Daily Mailwhich published a dossier in which it was declared that Baldoni was “chauvinist” e “bordering on abuse” on the set of the film.
The fact that Baldoni did not pose with the other cast members further fueled doubts about his behavior behind the scenes. On the contrary, Another cast member, Brandon Sklenar, who plays Atlas Corrigan in the film, sided with the blonde actress. In a Instagram post dating back to August 20, 2024 writes:
Colleen and the women in this cast stand for hope, perseverance, and women choosing a better life for themselves. To vilify the women who put so much of their heart and soul into the making of this film because they firmly believe in its message seems counterproductive and diminishes the significance of this film. In fact, it's exactly the opposite
