The legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, stemming from the filming of "It Ends With Us," has spiraled into a complex exchange of lawsuits, leaked messages, and public accusations. This timeline breaks down the key events in this ongoing Hollywood drama.
Early 2023: From Casting to Strikes
Initially, the project seemed promising. Baldoni, who acquired the rights to Colleen Hoover's novel in 2019, cast Lively as the lead in January 2023. Filming commenced smoothly, with the two stars reportedly developing a positive working relationship. However, production was halted in May 2023 due to the Screen Actors Guild strike.
Image: Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively on the set of "It Ends With Us."
January 2024: Lively's Demands
Upon resuming production in January 2024, Lively presented a list of demands regarding alleged inappropriate behavior by Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath. These demands, which included restrictions on discussions about personal matters and explicit content, were reportedly agreed upon by all parties.
August 2024: Press Tour Troubles
The film's August premiere brought further controversy. Lively faced criticism for her promotional activities, and Baldoni conducted much of the press tour solo. A resurfaced video of Lively's past interview with a Norwegian journalist added fuel to the fire, with the journalist later claiming her inclusion in Lively's subsequent lawsuit implied involvement in a smear campaign against the actress.
Image: Premiere of "It Ends With Us."
Late 2024 - Early 2025: Lawsuits and Counter-Lawsuits
Lively filed a complaint and subsequent lawsuit against Baldoni and Heath, alleging sexual harassment, retaliation, and emotional distress. Baldoni responded with his own lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, claiming defamation and extortion. He alleged Lively's accusations were a fabricated attempt to salvage her public image following the negative press surrounding the film's release.
Image: Blake Lively.
Emerging Evidence and Court Proceedings
Baldoni's legal team released unedited footage from the film set, which they argued contradicted Lively's harassment claims. Lively's team countered that the footage supported her allegations. A leaked voice note from Baldoni surfaced, containing an apology to Lively for falling short of her expectations. Baldoni's team launched a website presenting their side of the story, including an amended complaint and a timeline of events. A court hearing resulted in a limited gag order on both parties, restricting public statements that could prejudice a jury. The trial date is currently set for March 2026.
Image: Justin Baldoni on set.
