The legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director from It Ends With Us, shows no signs of slowing as reports emerge of Baldoni planning a countersuit. The conflict erupted on December 20, when Lively filed an 80-page complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, accusing Baldoni of misconduct on set and orchestrating a smear campaign against her—allegations he denies.
According to the Daily Mail, Baldoni, along with his business partner Jamey Heath and publicists named in Lively’s complaint, is preparing to retaliate through legal channels. Attorney Bryan Freedman, representing Baldoni, hinted at a shocking response, though he stopped short of confirming details. “When we file our first lawsuit, it is going to shock everyone who has been manipulated into believing a demonstrably false narrative,” Freedman stated, asserting that their case will be backed by substantial evidence.
The fallout has been swift and public. Following Lively’s complaint, Baldoni faced professional repercussions, including being dropped by his agency WME, the revocation of a women’s solidarity award, and the loss of a podcast co-host. Meanwhile, Lively has received widespread industry support, with her legal team emphasizing the importance of holding individuals accountable for misconduct.
Amid these developments, Vision PR’s Sloane issued a statement denying claims that her client initiated negative press coverage about HR complaints on the film’s set. “It’s clear that Mr. Baldoni and his Wayfarer Associates are suggesting that I originated press stories about HR complaints on set, which is false,” she stated, urging attention to the detailed complaints filed by Lively and others.
Despite the turmoil, It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel about domestic abuse, was a box office success, grossing over $350 million on a $25 million budget. Yet, the behind-the-scenes drama has overshadowed its triumph, turning the project into a flashpoint for Hollywood’s ongoing reckoning with workplace conduct and accountability.
With tensions rising, both sides appear ready for a long and contentious battle. As Freedman ominously warned, “Standby.”
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