You’ve seen the TikToks. You’ve probably scrolled past the side-by-side photos of Blake Lively looking floral and breezy while Justin Baldoni did his press tour looking, well, alone. But the real story isn't just about who unfollowed whom on Instagram. It’s gotten way more serious than that.
Honestly, what started as "creative differences" on the set of It Ends With Us has spiraled into a multi-million dollar legal war involving leaked texts, allegations of "astroturfing," and even subpoenas for Taylor Swift’s legal team.
The Texts That Changed Everything
Basically, the "feud" turned into a legal battle in December 2024. That’s when Blake Lively filed a massive complaint. She didn't just say they didn't get along; she alleged sexual harassment and a hostile work environment.
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But the real "receipts" started dropping recently. In January 2026, unsealed court documents revealed private messages from Baldoni to his agent at WME. In one text from December 2023, he called the production a "gigantic clusterf***." He was frustrated. Really frustrated.
Baldoni claimed in these texts that Lively was "rewriting the writer and director." He even told his agent he was ready to give in to "95 percent" of her demands just to get the movie finished. One of the biggest sticking points? A sex scene.
The "Trap" Allegation
This is where it gets messy. According to the court filings, Baldoni texted his agent saying Lively "refused" a body double for an intimate scene but insisted he use one.
He literally texted: “That’s just setting me up for a trap.”
He felt like she was trying to manipulate the situation to make him look unprofessional. Meanwhile, Lively’s side of the story is the total opposite. Her lawsuit claims Baldoni was the one making things uncomfortable. She alleged he showed unwanted "nude videos or images of women" to her on set and made comments about his "pornography addiction."
It’s a classic case of two people living in completely different realities.
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Two Different Movies
Most people don't realize there were actually two competing versions of It Ends With Us.
Baldoni was the director. It was his project from the start—he secured the rights through Wayfarer Studios back in 2019. But Lively was a producer, and she clearly had a specific vision.
- Baldoni’s Cut: He claims his version tested higher with focus groups.
- Lively’s Cut: This is the version we actually saw in theaters.
Lively famously brought in her husband, Ryan Reynolds, to help. She revealed at the premiere that Ryan actually wrote the "iconic rooftop scene." For Baldoni, this felt like he was being pushed out of his own movie. For Lively, it was about making the best possible film for the fans.
The Smear Campaign Claims
The drama didn't end when the cameras stopped rolling. Lively has accused Baldoni of "astroturfing." If you aren't familiar with the term, it’s basically faking "grassroots" support.
She alleges Baldoni and his PR team—specifically Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel—planted stories in the media to make her look like the "villain" during the press tour. You might remember when the internet turned on Blake for being "too lighthearted" while promoting a movie about domestic violence. Lively’s lawsuit claims that backlash wasn't organic; she says it was orchestrated.
The Legal Fallout
This has moved way beyond tabloid gossip.
- The $400 Million Lawsuit: Baldoni filed a countersuit against Lively and Reynolds for defamation and extortion.
- The WME Split: Baldoni was dropped by his agency, WME, which also happens to represent Lively.
- The Dismissals: In June 2025, a judge actually dismissed some of Baldoni's claims, but the battle is far from over.
Why This Matters for Fans
It’s weird to watch a movie about surviving abuse when the lead actors are currently suing each other over alleged abuse and harassment. It leaves a bad taste.
Colleen Hoover, the author, even called the whole situation a "circus." And she's not wrong. It’s a tangled web of Hollywood power plays. Lively reportedly used her influence to help costars like Brandon Sklenar land other roles, which some critics (and Baldoni's legal team) have framed as "buying loyalty."
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What We Know for Sure
Despite all the noise, a few things are documented:
- There was significant "friction" on set (Baldoni admitted this to Elle UK).
- The cast largely sided with Lively, with almost none of them following Baldoni on social media.
- Multiple versions of the film existed before the theatrical release.
- The legal trial is currently set for March 9, 2026.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you're trying to keep up with this, don't just believe the first TikTok you see. The court documents are where the real story lives.
Watch for the March 2026 trial date. That is when we will likely see more unsealed texts and emails. Until then, realize that this isn't just a "feud"—it's a massive legal precedent for how "creative control" and "producer power" work in modern Hollywood.
If you want to understand the full context, read the investigative pieces in the New York Times that Lively herself referenced. They provide the most detailed look at the internal communications between the PR teams. Stay skeptical of "insider" quotes on gossip blogs; at this stage, the only facts that matter are the ones appearing in front of a judge.