In a dramatic escalation of tensions surrounding the hit film “It Ends With Us,” a new legal battle has erupted between its major players. Director Justin Baldoni has filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against co-star Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, marking the latest development in an increasingly complex dispute that has captured Hollywood’s attention.
Legal battles intensify over hit romantic drama
The lawsuit, filed Thursday in federal court in New York, targets not only the celebrity couple but also their publicist Leslie Sloane. This legal action comes as a direct response to Lively’s own recent lawsuit, which accused Baldoni and others involved with the film of harassment and orchestrating a campaign to damage her reputation after she spoke out about her on-set experiences.
The legal document states that while the plaintiffs were reluctant to pursue legal action, they felt Lively “has unequivocally left them with no choice, not only to set the record straight in response to Lively’s accusations, but also to put the spotlight on the parts of Hollywood that they have dedicated their careers to being the antithesis of.”
Industry impact and professional consequences
The controversy has already led to significant professional repercussions. The talent agency WME, which previously represented both Baldoni and Lively, has terminated its relationship with Baldoni following Lively’s initial legal complaint and subsequent coverage in the New York Times. Notably, Baldoni has also filed a separate libel lawsuit against the New York Times, alleging collaboration with Lively to damage his reputation.
The dispute surrounding “It Ends With Us,” an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, has sparked broader discussions within the entertainment industry about the treatment of female actors both during production and in media coverage. Attempts to reach Leslie Sloane, whose PR firm represents both Lively and Reynolds, for comment were unsuccessful.
