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Months after the release ofIt Ends With Us, Blake Lively has filed a legal complaint about her co-star and director, Justin Baldoni. Based on Colleen Hoover’s novel of the same name, the movie revolves around Lily’s life. Lively played Lily Bloom, while Baldoni portrayed her husband’s character, Ryle.
Despite working together closely on the project, there were alleged rumors about on-set disputes and strained relationships. Even before the film’s release, the internet was abuzz with speculations about some issues.
The romance drama garnered a lot of attention after its release. It even earned quite an amount at the box office ($351 million, to be exact), yet many criticized Lively for promoting the movie as a happy-go-lucky movie when it was about domestic violence.
Now, the leading Hollywood actress has issued a lawsuit against Baldoni, which leads us to look back at the early signs that warned us something was wrong between them.
Social media hints and absence of Justin Baldoni in press tours
It all started when even before the release ofIt Ends With Us, some fans noticed that neither Colleen Hoover nor the other cast members followJustin Baldoni. Whereas the actor follows everyone. It dropped some hints about whether there’s some rift between the cast and crew or not.
“Falsely posing as an ally for women”: Justin Baldoni’s “Feminist Man” Empire is Coming Crashing Down Amid Blake Lively Lawsuit
The tension boiled further when Baldoni was not seen anywhere during the press tours or any promotional events. However,Blake Livelyand the other cast members actively participated and promoted the movie in their own way.
At that time, many pointed atLively’s strategy of pushing this filmas a light-hearted romance drama. However, the true Colleen Hoover fans know that the novel has many layers, and it shows how Lily fights against domestic violence despite loving the person.
Tension between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni on premiere night
This whole fiasco became prominent on the premiere night of the movieIt Ends With Uswhen the two lead actors didn’t pose together for the photos. Baldoni refrained from taking pictures with either Blake Lively or any cast members of the movie. In fact, the main leads sat in different theatres to enjoy the film with their respective guests.
This lack of interaction and chemistry in front of the paps fueled the rumors even more. While talking toEntertainment Tonight, Baldoni shared why he chose to step down from the limelight, and said,
This isn’t my night — this is a night for all the women who we made this movie for. This is a night for Blake, this is a night for Colleen. I’m just so grateful that we’re here, five years in the making.
Despite this statement, social media users could see the indifferences between the lead actors, and now the lawsuit puts a nail on the coffin regarding this matter.
Ryan Reynolds’ involvement inIt Ends With Us
Rumor mills have it that the tension began to rise when Blake Lively brought her husband,Ryan Reynolds, into the picture. The popular Hollywood actor didn’t feature in the movie, but his presence made a lot of things worse. There were reports claiming that Reynolds was the source of creative conflict between the main leads.
Lively wanted her own edit of the film with some suggestions from her husband Reynolds, who had rewritten a few scenes. However, it didn’t sit right with Baldoni as theDeadpoolactor wasn’t part of the production officially.
“I’m a man..”: Justin Baldoni Didn’t Want to Take Lead of the Kissing Scenes With Blake Lively, Let Women on the Set “Figure It Out”
However, not only that, after the release ofIt Ends With Us, there were reports suggesting that the main lead actor of the film made Lively uncomfortable during filming. As per aPage Six report, he made inappropriate comments about her postpartum body despite having a ‘hostile working environment’ clause in the contract.
Cast members ofIt Ends With Usmaking it obvious
As the speculations started to surface more, the cast members could be seen taking sides between the two main leads. Brandon Sklenar, who played Atlas in the film, came in support of Blake Lively and posted on his official Instagram handle, urging people not to“vilify women.”
Colleen Hoover, the author of the novel also extended her support to Lively and wrote on her Instagram story sharing a photo,“You have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met.”She continued,
Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt.
The actress’ sister Robyn also came forward seeking justice.
Blake Lively’s lawsuit and Justin Baldoni’s response
Now, Blake Lively hasfiled a legalnotice against Justin Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath, along with other defendants, including cofounder Steve Sarowitz, crisis communications professional Melissa Nathan, publicist Jennifer Abel, and a Texas-based contractor named Jed Wallace.
According to her lawsuit, Baldoni was accused of inappropriate behavior, including unwanted kissing scenes, continued discussions about personal matters like Blake Lively’s father’s death despite disagreeing, and more. Based on her filed complaint, the actor even engaged in sexual harassment, wanting to tarnish her reputation.
However, in one of the complaints she confirmed that the cast members promoted the film according to a ‘Marketing Plan’ suggested by the film’s distributor, Sony Pictures Entertainment. Because they wanted to portray Lily’s “strength and resilience as opposed to describing the film as a story about domestic violence”. But, Justin Baldoni decided to steer away from the plan and showcase the domestic violence storyline.
In her 80-page complaint, Lively noted that this whole phase made her go through“grief, fear, trauma, and extreme anxiety”.
“I had a bad experience with Blake Lively”: Justin Baldoni’s Alleged ‘Smear Campaign’ Ally Runs for Cover After Actress Reveals Disgusting Truth
Baldoni’s legal represenative Bryan Freedmanstated while responding to the complaint,
It is shameful that Ms Lively and her representatives would make such serious and categorically false accusations against Mr Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and its representatives.
Further, the lawyer accused Lively’s allegations to be“intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media”.It has become quite a messy situation, and the actor’s attory claimed that these are unnecessary demands.
If you haven’t watchedIt Ends With Us, stream it on Prime Video or Netflix.
Ankita Mukherjee
Articles Published :61
Ankita Mukherjee is a movie buff and a K-drama lover. After being in the entertainment genre for more than 3 years, her knack for digging up breaking news and writing featurish articles about her favorite celebs have become her most preferred job and now she is working as an author in FandomWire. But, when it comes to MCU, you might find her go a little nuts.
