Following recent shocking reports about his alleged behavior during production, Justin Baldoni is reportedly preparing a countersuit against End with us' Blake Lively for her lawsuit. Just before Christmas 2024, the producer/star of the controversial romantic drama filed a lawsuit against her director and co-star for sexual harassment and emotional distress, as well as a legal complaint of a hostile work environment and Baldoni mounting a campaign of retaliatory defamation. against her. Following the proposal, Baldoni was dropped from his talent agency as a client, and several voices emerged in support of Lively, including author Colleen Hoover.
Now the UK Daily Mail (through Deadline) reports that Baldoni is about to file suit against Lively's December 20 sexual harassment lawsuit. THE End with us the director/star is filing the lawsuit alongside his business partner and Wayfarer Studios CEO Jamey Heath, as well as the publicists named in Lively's lawsuit as part of the smear campaign against her.
Baldoni's challenge alleges that "Lively's team was responsible for the smears"against him, rather than the other way around, the text messages included in her lawsuit are"presented out of context in a way that changes its meaning", that Lively publicist too"planted stories" against Baldoni and that the filings of his action and complaint are "designed to rebuild your public image"after her"received bad press"during the promotion of End with us.
What this means for Lively's lawsuit
Director and star's legal battles are just beginning
THE the drama began shortly before the film's releasewhen sources reported that there was some conflict between Baldoni and Lively during production, and it quickly became a point of speculation among the general public. Some were quick to note that Baldoni was not followed by most End with us released on social media, combined with the lack of involvement among everyone in press events, led some to take weight in the rumors.
Although Baldoni has attempted to deny these allegations since they were presented, much of what has been raised appears to have been accepted as truth by many, including Sony Pictures, which released a statement supporting LivelyVital Voices, who rescinded the director's award for Voices of Solidarity, and even one of his former publicity advisors, Stephanie Jones, who filed suit against him for breach of contract and defamation.
One of the most notable voices of support was that of Amber Heardwho called Baldoni's actions "as horrible as [they are] destructive" and lamented social media for having inadvertently helped spread her smear campaign against Lively. Initial reports of Lively's lawsuit saw Heard's name mentioned on several occasions, as Baldoni reportedly hired public relations crisis manager Melissa Nathan, who was previously hired by Johnny Depp during the infamous trial between him and Heard is also reportedly in the middle of a lawsuit against Nathan for the same reasons that Lively is, adding more fuel to the fire of controversy.
Our Take on the Baldoni & Heard Lawsuits
Another important chapter in Hollywood history
Regardless of who they believe and what the outcome of the lawsuits will be, Baldoni and Lively's End with us The drama is still an important continuation of Hollywood's recent trend toward accountability and positive work environments. Smear campaigns and inappropriate behavior are clearly still a problem on productions, even in the wake of the #MeToo movement, and unless these issues come to light to the public, there won't be enough outcry for studios and creatives to be transparent with the people they are working for. making movies and TV shows.
Source: Deadline