You’ve seen the TikToks. You’ve probably scrolled past the "Team Blake" and "Team Justin" hashtags a hundred times by now. But the sheer messiness of what went down behind the scenes of It Ends With Us is way more complicated than a simple "they didn't get along" story. It started with a weirdly quiet press tour in 2024 and ended up in a full-blown legal war involving $400 million lawsuits, secret edits, and high-stakes PR maneuvers.
Honestly, the whole thing feels like a Hollywood thriller where nobody is quite sure who the protagonist is.
The On-Set Rift That Sparked Everything
The tension didn't just appear out of nowhere during the movie premiere. It was brewing from the start. While the world was excited to see Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel hit the big screen, the set in Hoboken, New Jersey, was reportedly a pressure cooker.
Blake Lively wasn't just the star; she was a producer with a very specific vision. Justin Baldoni was the director and the male lead. That's a lot of power in one room. Early on, reports surfaced that Blake felt "uncomfortable" with how certain things were handled. There were whispers about "fat-shaming" comments and Baldoni allegedly lingering a bit too long during kissing scenes.
Creative Control or "Hijacking"?
One of the biggest sticking points was the actual cut of the movie. Imagine being the director and finding out your lead actress commissioned her own version of the film. That's exactly what happened. Lively reportedly brought in Shane Reid—an editor from Deadpool & Wolverine—to create a separate edit of the film.
Justin Baldoni later claimed in court filings that his version actually tested higher with focus groups. He alleged that Lively basically gave Sony Pictures an ultimatum: use her version, or she wouldn't promote the movie.
The Press Tour Where the Silence Was Loud
If you were watching the red carpet in August 2024, you noticed it immediately. The cast was all together—Blake, Jenny Slate, Brandon Sklenar—laughing and taking photos. And then there was Justin. Alone.
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He didn't do joint interviews. He didn't take group photos. He even watched the premiere in a separate theater. It was the "Don't Worry Darling" drama all over again, but with higher stakes. While Blake was out promoting her new hair care line and "Betty Booze" cocktails, fans started calling her "tone-deaf." They felt she was glamorizing a movie that is, at its core, a heavy story about domestic violence.
The PR Machine Goes Into Overdrive
This is where it gets kind of dark. Baldoni hired Melissa Nathan, the crisis PR expert who famously represented Johnny Depp. Shortly after, the narrative shifted. Stories started leaking about Baldoni’s alleged behavior on set.
Lively eventually filed a massive lawsuit in December 2024. She accused Baldoni of:
- Sexual Harassment: Alleging he made inappropriate comments about her body and sex life.
- Hostile Workplace: Claims that he and producer Jamey Heath created an environment that was "unprofessional" and "disturbing."
- Retaliation: Arguing that Baldoni launched a calculated smear campaign to ruin her reputation once she stood up to him.
Lawsuits, Countersuits, and the Ryan Reynolds Factor
The legal battle exploded into 2025. Baldoni didn't just sit back. He filed a countersuit against Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for a staggering $400 million.
His claim? He says Blake and Ryan used their massive industry power to "destroy" his career. He even alleged that Ryan Reynolds berated him at a meeting in the couple's New York penthouse, saying he’d never been spoken to like that in his life. Baldoni’s legal team even tried to subpoena Taylor Swift's attorney at one point, though they eventually dropped that.
Where the Evidence Stands
It’s a "he said, she said" on a global scale.
- The Video: Baldoni’s team released a 7-minute video of a dance scene to prove they were professional. Lively’s team said the video actually proved her point about his "creepy" behavior.
- The Voice Note: A 2 a.m. audio clip leaked where Baldoni apologized to Blake, calling himself a "flawed man."
- The "Nicepool" Mockery: In a wild twist, Baldoni even alleged that the "Nicepool" character in Deadpool & Wolverine was specifically designed to mock him.
What This Means for the Future
This isn't just celebrity gossip; it's a case study in workplace safety and creative power. A trial date has been set for May 18, 2026.
Until then, the industry is watching. Lively has recently hired Sigrid McCawley, a high-profile lawyer known for representing survivors of Jeffrey Epstein, signaling she isn't backing down. On the other side, Baldoni is represented by Bryan Freedman, a legal heavyweight who has handled some of Hollywood's biggest disputes.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Observers
When following a story like this, it's easy to get lost in the "Team A vs. Team B" mentality. Here is how to look at it objectively:
- Separate the Art from the Drama: You can appreciate the film It Ends With Us while acknowledging that the production was clearly fractured.
- Look at the Court Filings: Most of the "leaks" are actually part of public legal documents. Reading the actual complaints provides more context than a 15-second TikTok.
- Understand the Power Dynamics: This case highlights how "producer" credits for actors can lead to massive creative shifts that directors might not always agree with.
The fallout from It Ends With Us has essentially guaranteed we won't see this duo work together again. Any hope for a sequel with the original cast is basically dead in the water.