Justin Baldoni has launched a $400 million lawsuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and here is everything he has accused them of.
As you’ve probably seen, Baldoni has filed the lawsuit against co-star Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, publicist Leslie Sloane, and Sloane’s PR firm, Vision PR.
The lawsuit, filed on Thursday, January 16, in the Southern District of New York, alleges that the defendants attempted to seize control of the production of It Ends With Us and engaged in actions that Baldoni claims harmed his career and reputation.
The lawsuit follows Lively’s December 20 legal complaint, which accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, retaliatory behavior, and creating a hostile environment during the production of It Ends With Us.
Her claims included accusations of Baldoni making inappropriate comments about her post-baby body and questioning her sex life with her husband, Ryan Reynolds.
According to Lively’s lawsuit, the allegations were addressed in a meeting attended by Lively, Baldoni, Reynolds, and other key figures involved in the film.
Baldoni’s lawsuit arrives after his earlier libel suit against The New York Times, filed on December 31, which alleged that the publication used “cherry-picked” and altered communications in its coverage of Lively’s allegations.
But what exactly has Baldoni alleged against the Hollywood couple and their PR team?
Accusations of Control and ExtortionIn the 179-page complaint, Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, allege that Lively and Reynolds hijacked the production and promotional efforts of the film, per the Daily Mail.
According to the lawsuit, the couple took over creative aspects without authorization.
The plaintiffs describe their actions as a deliberate power grab.
“This is a case about two of the most powerful stars in the world deploying their enormous power to steal an entire film right out of the hands of its director and production studio,” the lawsuit states.
“Then, when Lively and Reynolds’ efforts failed to win them the acclaim they believed they so richly deserved, they turned their fury on their chosen scapegoat.”
Claims of Defamation and False AllegationsThe lawsuit accuses Lively of launching a smear campaign against Baldoni by making false claims of sexual harassment and social manipulation.
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, has called the allegations baseless, stating:
“This lawsuit is a legal action based on an overwhelming amount of untampered evidence detailing Blake Lively and her team’s duplicitous attempt to destroy Justin Baldoni, his team and their respective companies by disseminating grossly edited, unsubstantiated, new and doctored information to the media.”
Freedman added that Baldoni and his team have provided unedited documentation to counter the claims.
Marketing ConflictsThe lawsuit also criticizes Lively for failing to address the film’s sensitive subject matter – domestic violence – during the promotional campaign.
“Heartbreakingly, a film that Baldoni envisioned years ago would honor the survivors of domestic violence by telling their story, with the lofty goal of making a positive impact in the world, has now been overshadowed beyond recognition solely as a result of Lively’s actions and cruelty,” the complaint says.
Professional and Personal DamagesBaldoni’s exclusion from the film’s promotional activities is cited as a significant blow to his career and reputation. The lawsuit also details alleged personal humiliation, describing how Baldoni had to watch the premiere in a separate theater with family and friends.
“Surrounded by close friends, family, soda bottles, and a lot of love, the irony of being held in a basement on what was arguably one of the most important nights of Baldoni’s career thus far, was not lost on anyone,” the lawsuit claims.
Additionally, the suit alleges that Lively suggested Baldoni undergo cosmetic surgery, a comment he “brushed off and moved on with the scene.”
Breakdown of CollaborationThe lawsuit further alleges that Lively demanded increased control over script edits and wardrobe decisions, with Reynolds and his team reportedly taking over creative aspects of the film.
The complaint claims that these actions were part of a broader effort to sideline Baldoni.
“Lively knew full well that making those allegations would be a career death sentence for Plaintiffs, especially given that Baldoni has lived his private and public life as an impassioned advocate for gender equality and healthy masculinity,” the lawsuit states.
In response, Lively’s lawyers issued a strong rebuttal, dismissing Baldoni’s claims as part of an abuser’s strategy.
“This is an age-old story: A woman speaks up with concrete evidence of sexual harassment and retaliation and the abuser attempts to turn the tables on the victim,” they said in a statement.
“This is what e
