Hollywood loves a good drama, but the mess surrounding the Justin Baldoni text leaks and the It Ends With Us production is something else entirely. It’s not just your standard "creative differences" story. We are talking about unsealed court documents, $400 million lawsuits, and private messages that paint a picture of a set that was, in Baldoni’s own words, a "gigantic clusterf---."
Honestly, when the movie first came out in August 2024, everyone was just confused why the director and the lead star weren't standing within ten feet of each other. Now, thanks to legal filings unsealed in early 2026, we actually know what those frantic texts to agents and PR teams looked like.
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The "Trap" Text and the Intimacy Dispute
On December 30, 2023, while most of us were winding down for the New Year, Justin Baldoni was venting to his then-agent, Danny Greenberg. This specific Justin Baldoni text is now a cornerstone of the legal battle. In it, Baldoni claimed Blake Lively was "setting me up for a trap."
The issue? Intimate scenes.
According to the messages, Lively allegedly refused to use a body double for herself while insisting that Baldoni use one for his part. Baldoni told his agent that she had rejected his storyboards and was pushing to keep both actors fully clothed for a major romantic scene—a move he called "ridiculous" given the source material. He felt like he was being cornered. If he pushed for the scene to look like the book, he risked being labeled inappropriate; if he didn't, the movie failed the fans.
It’s a bizarre power dynamic. Usually, the director calls the shots. But on this set, the lines were blurry.
A Quick Breakdown of the Unsealed Messages:
- The Home Meeting: Baldoni expressed shock that Lively emailed him directly to invite him to her house alone to discuss the script.
- The "Wins" Strategy: He told his agent he was giving her "95% of what she wants for peace" just to get the project finished.
- The Edit Warning: Even before filming wrapped, Baldoni predicted the editing room would be a "big issue" because he knew he couldn't give her everything she wanted.
Why the PR War Got So Ugly
If you felt like your TikTok feed was suddenly flooded with "Team Justin" or "Team Blake" content back in 2024, you weren't imagining it. The Justin Baldoni text logs revealed in Lively's lawsuit suggest that this wasn't just organic fan chatter.
Lively’s legal team alleges that Baldoni hired top-tier crisis PR firms—the same ones used by Johnny Depp—to "bury" her reputation. One leaked message from a PR executive reportedly mentioned "having reckless thoughts of wanting to plant pieces" about how difficult Lively was to work with.
On the flip side, Baldoni’s team argues that Lively used her massive star power and famous friends to hijack the film. They’ve even pointed to a moment where Ryan Reynolds allegedly confronted Baldoni on set, a confrontation that supposedly happened in front of Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman.
It sounds like a fever dream, right? But these details are literally in the court filings.
The "Hostile Workplace" Allegations
It’s easy to get distracted by the celebrity cameos, but at the heart of the Justin Baldoni text saga are some very serious claims. Lively sued Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath, alleging sexual harassment and a hostile work environment. She claimed Baldoni engaged in "unwanted kissing" and made inappropriate comments about his personal life that made her uncomfortable.
Baldoni hasn't stayed quiet. He fired back with a massive countersuit, claiming Lively’s accusations were a "smear campaign" designed to cover up the fact that she took over the movie. He even released unedited footage of a slow-dance scene to prove that his behavior was professional and within the scope of the character.
The industry is pretty split on this. Some crew members described the tension as an "open secret," while others noted that Baldoni was "unusually kind" for a Hollywood director. It basically comes down to who you believe: the director trying to protect his vision, or the actress trying to protect her safety and creative input.
What This Means for the Future of the Franchise
If you’re waiting for a sequel directed by Justin Baldoni, don’t hold your breath. During the initial press tour, he basically handed the keys to Lively, saying she was "ready to direct."
With the trial set for May 2026, the fallout is still happening. This isn't just about one movie anymore; it’s a case study in how power, PR, and private messages can dismantle a blockbuster production from the inside out.
Actionable Insights for Navigating Celebrity News:
- Check the Source: When you see a "leaked text," look for whether it came from an unsealed court document or an anonymous "insider."
- Understand the Timeline: Tensions usually start in post-production (the editing room) rather than on day one of filming.
- Look for Patterns: Notice how PR teams use specific keywords to shape the narrative before a trial begins.
Keep an eye on the court transcripts as they continue to drop; the most telling Justin Baldoni text might not even be public yet.