From L: Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds in New York City on Feb. 28, 2022; Taylor Swift in Los Angeles on Dec. 12, 2019.Photo:Noam Galai/Getty, Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
Noam Galai/Getty, Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
Blake Livelywas channeling aGame of Thronescharacter in a set of alleged text messages toJustin Baldoniduring the making of their romantic dramaIt Ends with Us, hisnew lawsuitclaims.
As part of the 179-page filing in the Southern District of New York on Thursday, Jan. 16, Baldoni and his co-plaintiffs alleged that the actor and director, 40, was “facing Lively’s ‘dragons,’ two of the most influential and wealthy celebrities in the world, who were not afraid to make things very difficult for him” while making their film.
He also added that he “would have felt that way without Ryan and Taylor,” presumably Lively’s husbandRyan Reynolds— whom Baldoni is also suing, as well as their publicist Leslie Sloane and Sloane’s PR firm Vision PR, Inc. — and close friendTaylor Swift.
Among the allegations made in his complaint, Baldoni claims that Swift, 35, and Reynolds, 48, pressured him into accepting one of Lively’s rewrites for the film. (Christy Hall is credited as the screenwriter who adaptedColleen Hoover’s bestselling 2016 novel.)
From L: Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Taylor Swift.John Nacion/Variety via Getty; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; Kevin Mazur/Getty; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
John Nacion/Variety via Getty; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; Kevin Mazur/Getty; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
Baldoni claimed he was “summoned” to a meeting with Reynolds at their New York City penthouse, where the pop superstar arrived and “began praising Lively’s script. Earlier, the suit claims, Reynolds welcomed him into their home and “launched into enthusiastic praise for Lively’s version of the scene.” Baldoni understood the subtext: he needed to comply with Lively’s direction for the script.”
“I happen to have a few dragons. For better or worse, but usually for better,” Lively’s alleged text read. “Because my dragons also protect those I fight for. So really we all benefit from those gorgeous monsters of mine. [Smiley-face emoji] you will too, I can promise you.”
Another alleged text from Lively included in the filing shows the actress referring to Reynolds, with whomshe shares four kidsandmarried in 2012, and Swift as her “most trusted partners” and “Dance Momslevel stage moms.”
Attorneys for Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit Thursday on behalf of Baldoni, producer Jamey Heath, publicist Jennifer Abel and crisis publicistMelissa Nathan, claiming Lively took measures to gain control of the hit movieIt Ends with Us, which was released in theaters in August 2024.
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Blake Lively in London on Aug. 8, 2024; Justin Baldoni in New York City on Dec. 13, 2023.Jeff Spicer/Getty; Dia Dipasupil/Getty
Jeff Spicer/Getty; Dia Dipasupil/Getty
The actor-director is suing on claims of civil extortion, defamation, false light invasion of privacy, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, intentional interference with contractual relations, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, and negligent interference with prospective economic advantage.
Inher initial sexual-harassment complaint filedon Dec. 20, 2024, Lively claimed Baldoni exhibited “disturbing" and “unprofessional” behavior on the set ofIt Ends with Usthat led to a “hostile work environment.”
Herfiling included accusationsthat Baldoni and Heath entered her trailer “uninvited” while she was undressed or “vulnerable,” and alleged Baldoni “suddenly” pressured her to “simulate full nudity” in a birth scene and “improvised physical intimacy that had not been rehearsed, choreographed or discussed with Ms. Lively, with no intimacy coordinator involved."
Her complaint claimed that in the aftermath of the experience and thealleged smear campaign against her, Lively “has suffered from grief, fear, trauma, and extreme anxiety.”
A rep for Lively has not yet responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment on the new lawsuit.
source: people.com
