Baldoni Accuses Lively, Reynolds of Defamation in $400M Suit/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Justin Baldoni has filed a $400 million lawsuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, alleging defamation and extortion related to their involvement in It Ends With Us. Baldoni accuses the couple of hijacking the film’s production and falsely accusing him of harassment. Lively’s attorneys call the suit an attempt to discredit her and deny her claims of misconduct.
Justin Baldoni Sues Lively, Reynolds for $400 Million: Quick Looks
- Lawsuit Filed: Baldoni alleges defamation, extortion, and career sabotage.
- Counter Allegations: Lively accuses Baldoni of harassment and retaliation on set.
- Film Conflict: It Ends With Us becomes central to Hollywood controversy.
- Agency Fallout: Baldoni claims Reynolds caused him to be dropped by WME.
- Past Disputes: Lively’s lawsuit alleges misconduct during sensitive filming scenes.
- Legal Response: Baldoni denies claims, calling them “knowingly false.”
Baldoni Accuses Lively, Reynolds of Defamation in $400M Suit
Deep Look
The bitter legal feud surrounding the dark romantic drama It Ends With Us escalated on Thursday, as actor-director Justin Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit against co-star Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. Baldoni alleges that the Hollywood power couple defamed him, sabotaged his career, and manipulated the production of the film to their advantage.
Allegations of Defamation and Extortion
Filed in federal court in New York, Baldoni’s lawsuit claims that Lively and Reynolds hijacked the film’s marketing and production, later deploying false accusations of harassment to smear his reputation. Baldoni describes their actions as an abuse of influence, asserting that they sought to turn him into a scapegoat when the film failed to garner the critical acclaim they expected.
“This is a case about two of the most powerful stars in the world deploying their enormous power to steal an entire film,” the suit alleges. Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, is also listed as a plaintiff, with the lawsuit seeking damages for lost future income.
Lively’s Countersuit
Lively’s legal team, who filed their own lawsuit against Baldoni two weeks prior, dismissed his claims as a retaliation tactic. Her attorneys described Baldoni’s legal move as an example of DARVO—“Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender.”
“This is an age-old story: A woman speaks up with concrete evidence of harassment, and the abuser attempts to turn the tables,” Lively’s attorneys said in a statement.
Harassment Allegations
Lively’s lawsuit accuses Baldoni of creating a hostile environment on set, particularly during the filming of sensitive scenes. One focal point is a birthing scene, during which Lively alleges non-essential individuals, including the film’s financier, were present. Baldoni’s lawsuit denies these claims, stating that all requests for intimacy coordinators were honored.
Baldoni also addressed a specific incident in which he asked Lively about her weight to ensure he could safely lift her during filming, citing back problems. Reynolds allegedly reacted angrily, accusing Baldoni of fat-shaming his wife. Baldoni claims the question was taken out of context, adding that he had previously reassured Lively about her postpartum body image.
Fallout and Industry Impact
The lawsuit comes amid significant fallout for Baldoni, who says the backlash led to his agency, WME, severing ties with him. Baldoni accuses Reynolds of orchestrating the move, alleging that Reynolds called WME executives to label him a “sexual predator.”
Lively’s lawsuit has also drawn attention to her treatment on set, with her attorneys claiming other cast members experienced similar issues with Baldoni. The situation has sparked broader conversations in Hollywood about the treatment of female actors and the power dynamics on film sets.
A Film Overshadowed
Released in August, It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, performed well at the box office but has since been overshadowed by controversy. The film’s themes of domestic violence have been eclipsed by the very public legal battles between its stars.
Baldoni’s lawsuit portrays Lively’s actions as malicious, claiming that she served legal papers to him during the onset of Los Angeles wildfires, a time when his family was preparing to evacuate.
Broader Implications
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, stated that the actor-director intends to hold Lively accountable for exploiting real victims of harassment for personal gain. “This is a battle she will not win and will certainly regret,” Freedman said.
As the legal drama unfolds, the controversy surrounding It Ends With Us highlights ongoing tensions in Hollywood over power, accountability, and the treatment of women in the industry.
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