In a recent turn of events, actor and director Justin Baldoni has taken a bold step by revealing a letter allegedly drafted by Hollywood power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, aiming to put him in the hot seat for the negative press surrounding the film “It Ends With Us.” The saga unfolds as Baldoni, 41, unveiled a revised version of his $400 million lawsuit against the renowned couple on a newly launched website. This move was accompanied by the submission of an amended complaint and a detailed timeline document in a court of law.
The Timeline of Events
According to the filed timeline, Baldoni asserts that Lively, 37, and Reynolds, 48, attempted to coerce him into shouldering the blame for the perceived difficulties during the production of “It Ends With Us” and the subsequent unfavorable publicity that Lively encountered while promoting the movie. The apparent draft statement, dated August 2024, was penned at a time when tensions were high, coinciding with the film’s release. Allegedly, the couple was incensed with Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, for what they perceived as an attempt to position the movie as a light-hearted Barbie film, while thrusting Baldoni into the spotlight to discuss the film’s more profound themes.
The Alleged Draft Statement
The purported draft statement put forward by Lively and Reynolds expressed remorse for the tumultuous production process, stating, “IT ENDS WITH US was a troubled production which we take full accountability for.” It went on to acknowledge the professionalism exhibited by Lively, author Colleen Hoover, and the entire cast and crew, distancing them from any negativity. The statement also highlighted the couple’s willingness to learn and grow from the experience, emphasizing personal accountability and a commitment to practice what they preach.
Reactions and Countersuits
In the wake of these revelations, Baldoni’s court documents also unveiled a series of text exchanges involving his publicist, Jennifer Abel, and crisis publicist, Melissa Nathan, expressing disbelief at the request for Baldoni to release the alleged statement. The documents further detailed a discord between Wayfarer Studios and WME executives regarding the perceived vagueness and lack of substance in the proposed statement. In response to this, Baldoni, along with Heath and Wayfarer, firmly rejected the demand, refusing to shoulder responsibility for fabricated issues.
As the legal battle intensifies, with Lively suing Baldoni, Heath, Abel, Nathan, and others for sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign, Baldoni has retaliated with his own set of allegations against Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist. The upcoming trial, scheduled for March 2026, promises to be a high-stakes affair, as both parties gear up to present their respective cases and seek legal recourse.
The unfolding drama between Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, and Ryan Reynolds serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges that often underlie the glitzy facade of the entertainment industry. As the legal wrangling continues, the public remains captivated by the twists and turns of this real-life Hollywood saga, eagerly awaiting the resolution that will ultimately shed light on the truth behind the headlines, allegations, and counterclaims.
