Blake Lively upped the ante in her legal war with It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, claiming that two female co-stars from the film are ready to testify that Baldoni subjected them to “unwelcome behavior” on set at least a year before editing of the film began, according to People.
Weeks after text messages revealed that Lively told Baldoni her husband Ryan Reynolds and friend Taylor Swift are like her supportive “dragons,” she’s called upon more reinforcements in her amended complaint, which was first filed in December. Lively says the two accusing actresses have given her “permission to share the substance of their communications” with Baldoni and that “they will testify and produce responsive documents in the discovery process.”
Lively cites these co-stars’ complaints as stretching back to May 2023, at which point, in addition to Lively, “another female cast member reported her own concerns” with Baldoni to a Sony executive and a producer. Lively claims Baldoni responded to that cast member in writing, “acknowledging that he was aware of her concerns, and that adjustments would be made.” The second female cast member complained “she too felt uncomfortable on set,” after that, Lively also claims.
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Lawyers for Baldoni and his production company responded to Lively’s latest move in a statement to Variety Wednesday. “Our clients have been transparent in providing receipts, real time documents and video showing a completely different story than what has been manipulated and cherry picked to the media,” the statement reads. “Our clients have taken this matter and these issues very seriously notwithstanding the jokes made publicly by the plaintiff and her husband. Her underwhelming amended complaint is filled with unsubstantial hearsay of unnamed persons who are clearly no longer willing to come forward or publicly support her claims. Since documents do not lie and people do, the upcoming depositions of those who initially supported Ms. Lively’s false claims and those who are witnesses to her own behavior will be enlightening. What is truly uncomfortable here is Ms. Lively’s lack of actual evidence.”
Jenny Slate, who plays Baldoni’s character’s sister in the film, previously expressed her support for Lively. “I voice my support as she takes action against those reported to have planned and carried out an attack on her reputation,” the actress and comedian said in a statement when her accusations were first made public in December. Slate also went viral for dodging a question about working with Baldoni while promoting the film. Other notable female cast members include Lively’s half-sister Robyn Lively, and Baldoni’s wife Emily Baldoni.
The stars of last summer’s domestic violence film have been in a legal back and forth since Lively first sued Baldoni for sexual harassment, after Lively’s handling of the press run for the film came under fire given its sensitive subject matter. Lively classifies the internet response as a coordinated “smear” campaign. Baldoni is countersuing Lively and Reynolds, and separately, the New York Times for its role in circulating her accusations.
Baldoni claims that Lively’s complaint is retaliation for not allowing her to take over the film, which he directed and had bought the book rights to make. In addition to Lively’s amended complaint bringing in two more accusers, her team has subpoenaed years worth of Baldoni’s phone communications—a move his lawyer called “inappropriate.”
