Honestly, the drama surrounding the It Ends With Us production felt like a slow-motion car crash that nobody could look away from. For months, we all sat there scrolling through TikTok, dissecting why Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni weren't standing next to each other at the premiere. Then the lawyers showed up.
A lot of people think the Blake Lively lawsuit is just another Hollywood spat about who got more screen time, but it’s actually a massive legal war involving claims of sexual harassment, "trap" settings, and a $160 million damages demand.
It’s messy. Like, really messy.
The Core of the Blake Lively Lawsuit
In December 2024, Blake Lively officially sued her co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, and his production associates. The allegations? Sexual harassment and a retaliatory "smear campaign" meant to tank her reputation.
Lively’s filing describes a "hostile work environment" where things reportedly got way out of bounds. We’re talking about claims that Baldoni entered her trailer uninvited while she was undressed and pressured her into "simulated full nudity" for a birth scene that wasn't supposed to be that graphic.
Lively also alleged that Baldoni improvised physical intimacy that wasn't in the script or discussed with an intimacy coordinator.
The $400 Million Counter-Punch
Baldoni didn't just sit back. He fired back with a massive $400 million countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and even The New York Times. He claimed they were the ones trying to destroy him.
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Interestingly, a judge tossed Baldoni’s countersuit in June 2025. Judge Lewis J. Liman basically said his claims were "fundamentally flawed." But while that specific $400 million case is dead, the original case against him is very much alive.
The "Trap" and Those Unsealed Texts
Just recently, in early January 2026, things got even weirder. A fresh batch of unsealed text messages hit the court records, and they give us a glimpse into Baldoni's head during filming.
In a text from December 2023, Baldoni told his agent that Lively was "setting me up for a trap."
Why? Apparently, they were fighting over sex scenes. Baldoni claimed Lively refused to use a body double for herself but insisted he use one. He also complained that she was "rewriting the writer and director" and rejected all his storyboards because she wanted to keep both of them fully clothed during a big romantic scene.
"It’s just ridiculous if you know the book," he texted.
Lively’s team has a totally different take. They say these texts only happened after she had already complained about a hostile environment. They view his "trap" comments as evidence of his "retaliatory intent" rather than a genuine concern.
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What Most People Get Wrong
There’s this weird narrative that this is just about "tone-deaf marketing" or Betty Buzz cocktails.
Sure, the internet hated that Lively was promoting her hair care line (Blake Brown) and her drink mixers while promoting a movie about domestic violence. And yeah, people were annoyed that Ryan Reynolds was reportedly "ghost-directing" scenes.
But the actual Blake Lively lawsuit is about much heavier stuff.
- Intimacy concerns: The lack of a consistent intimacy coordinator is a huge point of contention.
- The "All-Hands" Meeting: In January 2024, there was a massive meeting with Ryan Reynolds and Sony executives where Lively reportedly presented 17 specific "protections" she needed just to finish the movie.
- Subpoenas: Lively has even subpoenaed Scooter Braun and Hybe America, alleging they were connected to Baldoni’s PR strategy to make her look bad online.
Why This Still Matters in 2026
The legal battle is far from over. A trial date is currently set for May 18, 2026.
Before that, there’s a major hearing on January 22, where the judge will hear arguments for a summary judgment. This is basically the "is there enough evidence to even have a trial?" phase.
If it goes to trial, we’re looking at a public circus. We might see Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Swift, or Hugh Jackman called as witnesses. Why? Because court docs mention an alleged April 2023 confrontation where Reynolds confronted Baldoni about "fat-shaming" Lively—an incident supposedly witnessed by some of their famous friends.
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Real Damages on the Line
Lively isn't just asking for an apology. She’s claiming $161 million in total damages.
- $56.2 million for lost acting and producing income.
- $49 million for damage to her Blake Brown brand.
- $22 million for harm to Betty Buzz.
It’s a business calculation. She’s saying that the "smear campaign" Baldoni allegedly ran made her so "unlikable" that it directly hurt her companies' bottom lines.
What Happens Next
If you're following this, keep your eyes on the January 22 hearing. That will determine if the case gets tossed or if we head into a full-blown May trial.
The industry is watching too. This case is essentially a "post-Me Too" test of how much creative control an actress should have over her own safety and body on set versus a director’s "artistic vision."
Practical Steps to Stay Informed:
- Check the Los Angeles County Superior Court or Southern District of New York portals for updated filings after January 22.
- Distinguish between "PR drama" (like the "grab your florals" controversy) and "Legal claims" (the harassment and retaliation suits). They are often conflated but handled very differently in court.
- Follow reputable legal analysts who specialize in entertainment law, as they can explain why certain "unsealed texts" matter more than others.
The truth of what happened in those trailers and on that set is probably somewhere in the middle of these two very different stories. We’ll just have to wait for the jury to decide.