Hollywood is usually pretty good at keeping its mess behind closed doors. We get the occasional "creative differences" statement, a polite unfollow, or a vague Instagram story. But what’s happening with Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni right now? It’s a total wreck.
Basically, the It Ends With Us press tour was only the tip of the iceberg. While we were all busy wondering why the two leads weren't taking photos together, a massive legal battle was brewing. Now that we've seen the blake lively texts revealed in court documents, the whole "mean girl" vs. "villain director" narrative has gotten a lot more complicated.
This isn't just gossip. It’s a $160 million lawsuit.
The "Trap" and the Body Double: What the Texts Say
One of the most jarring things to come out of the unsealed documents is a text from Justin Baldoni to his former agent. Sent on December 30, 2023, the message is pure frustration. Baldoni claimed he was having a "really, really bad week" and felt like Lively was setting him up.
The drama? Intimate scenes.
According to Baldoni’s messages, Lively allegedly refused to use a body double for sex scenes but then turned around and insisted a double be used for his part. He called the situation a "gigantic clusterf---." Honestly, reading his words, you can feel the tension. He felt like she was "rewriting the writer and director" in real-time.
Lively’s side has a very different take. A source close to her says these texts only happened after she had already raised concerns about a hostile work environment. It’s a classic "he said, she said," but with receipts.
The "Buckingham Palace" Office
We also found out that Lively apparently called her New York penthouse "Buckingham Palace." Baldoni claimed in a deposition that she insisted on holding all their meetings there. He felt it was a power move, a way to keep him off-balance by bringing him into her home—her territory—where Ryan Reynolds was often lurking in the background.
Speaking of Ryan, the texts reveal he wasn't just a supportive husband. He was in the thick of it.
When Ryan Reynolds Entered the Chat
We've always known Ryan and Blake are a powerhouse duo. But the blake lively texts revealed show that Reynolds was reportedly very hands-on with the film's creative direction.
In one text exchange from February 2023, Reynolds seemed super excited. He told Baldoni he "adored" him and was pumped for Blake to "crack open her creative piggy bank." It started so well. Fast forward a few months, and the vibe shifted.
Baldoni’s legal team claims that by January 2024, Reynolds "ambushed" him at the New York apartment. Baldoni allegedly texted that he felt "emotionally paralyzed" after Reynolds "scolded" him like he was a five-year-old. Imagine being a director and having Deadpool dress you down in a penthouse. Not a great day at the office.
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The PR Takedown?
The most explosive part of the lawsuit involves Blake's claim that Baldoni hired a "crisis PR" team specifically to destroy her reputation. She’s suing several PR pros, alleging they gloated about turning the internet against her.
Some of the texts between these PR experts are pretty wild.
- One message allegedly says: "We can't write we will destroy her... but you know we can bury anyone."
- Another PR manager supposedly noted that "the majority of socials are so pro-Justin," even adding, "I don't even agree with half of them lol."
It’s a peek behind the curtain of how Hollywood narratives are manufactured. If these texts are 100% authentic, it suggests that the "backlash" Lively faced during the movie's release might not have been entirely organic.
Why This Matters Beyond the Gossip
Look, it's easy to dismiss this as two rich actors fighting over a movie. But the allegations in Lively's complaint are serious. She’s accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment, claiming he made inappropriate comments and watched her while she changed.
Baldoni denies every bit of it. He says the lawsuit is a "desperate attempt" to fix her reputation after the public turned on her for being "tone-deaf" during the press tour. Remember the "wear your florals" interviews? He's basically saying she's using the legal system as a PR tool.
The Reality of Creative Control
This whole mess really highlights how messy things get when a star has "Executive Producer" in their contract. Lively wasn't just an actress; she had power. Baldoni was the director, but he was also the co-star.
When two people have that much "creative control," someone is going to lose. In this case, it looks like they both did. The movie was a hit, but the fallout is going to last for years.
What Happens Next?
The trial is currently set for May 18, 2026. Until then, expect more leaks. More texts. More drama.
If you’re following this case, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Context is king. Many of these texts are being presented by lawyers who want to win. They are "cherry-picked" by design.
- PR is a weapon. We've seen how effectively a narrative can be shifted. Don't believe everything you see on TikTok or X without checking the source.
- The evidence is still coming. We haven't seen the full 126-page timeline that Baldoni’s team is using, and we haven't seen all of Lively’s "receipts" regarding the harassment claims.
Basically, the blake lively texts revealed so far tell a story of a production that went off the rails almost immediately. It’s a cautionary tale about power, ego, and what happens when the "secret sauce" of a collaboration turns toxic.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the official court filings rather than just the social media snippets. The nuances in the full transcripts usually tell a much different story than a 10-second clip. You might want to follow legal analysts who specialize in entertainment law to get the breakdown of the May trial as it approaches.