Justin Baldoni, a well-known actor and filmmaker, has taken significant legal action by filing a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times, stemming from issues involving his co-star, Blake Lively. This legal drama follows their collaboration on the film It Ends With Us, which hit theaters after much anticipation. Yet, the movie’s release was overshadowed by whispers of tension between the stars.
The movie, based on Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel, arrived in August, and keen observers noted that Baldoni and Lively engaged in minimal joint publicity, sparking curiosity. The tension escalated when Lively accused Baldoni of launching a smear campaign against her, leading to ‘severe emotional distress’ affecting her and her family.
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, was quick to challenge Lively’s lawsuit, dismissing the claims as ‘categorically false.’ Reports surfaced about a private meeting during the film’s production, allegedly attended by Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds. During this meeting, several demands were reportedly made, such as prohibiting the display of nudity, refraining from discussing Baldoni’s alleged past issues, and avoiding mentioning sensitive topics around Lively.
Moreover, Lively reportedly insisted that Baldoni exclude additional intimate scenes from the film. Sony Pictures, as per the complaint, agreed to these stipulations. Tensions flared further when Lively accused Baldoni of ‘social manipulation’ aimed at tarnishing her public image.
Lively, a mother of four, raised concerns over what she saw as inappropriate improvisations and additions to the film, particularly involving a young character in sensitive scenes not found in the original book. One proposed scene portrayed Lily Bloom experiencing an on-camera moment that was not from Hoover’s novel, which Baldoni wanted to include. Although he later agreed to remove these additions, he still incorporated a scene involving him and Lively in a wedding night scenario.
There was an incident where Baldoni asked Lively a deeply personal question regarding her marital life, which she declined to answer, finding it intrusive.
Freedman further criticized Lively and her team for the accusations, labeling them as unfounded attempts to repair her image after public comments made during the film’s promotion. He claimed that Lively’s demands and threats during the film’s production, including her reluctance to appear on set or promote the film, contributed to its challenges upon release.
Freedman also mentioned that Wayfarer Studios engaged a crisis manager to handle these tensions and protect their interests. It was alleged that Lively’s actions included forwarding misleading narratives through media channels, complicating the film’s promotion.
Lively issued a statement hoping her legal action would reveal and halt retaliatory tactics against individuals who speak against misconduct, aiming to preserve the safety of others involved.
Baldoni was also part of a new lawsuit filed against The New York Times by New Year’s Eve, accusing them of serious offenses like libel and breach of implied-in-fact contract, focusing on a controversial article, “‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine.”
The article allegedly described incidents where Baldoni intruded into Lively’s private space without permission, an accusation supported by messages that critics say were taken out of context.
The plaintiffs argue that the newspaper selectively presented parts of communication between them while ignoring contradicting evidence.
According to Baldoni’s suit, The Times leaned heavily on Lively’s perspective, overlooking counteracting evidence demonstrating her motives.
In response, The New York Times defended its article, asserting it was thoroughly and responsibly investigated. The piece relied on extensive documentation, including texts and emails, quoted accurately. The publication insisted that neither Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, nor their representatives identified any factual inaccuracies in their reporting, and stated their intention to robustly contest the lawsuit.
This ongoing legal battle highlights the complexities of celebrity collaborations and media representation, as both parties prepare to defend their reputations and narrate their side of the story in this high-stakes legal showdown.
