Hollywood feud escalates: Lively and Baldoni's legal battle intensified
Justin Baldoni has revealed further incidents from the set of the film It Ends With Us. She claims, among other things, that Blake Lively made disparaging remarks about his appearance. Furthermore, her well-known friend, Taylor Swift, was allegedly involved. Baldoni is demanding a substantial sum as compensation.
For several weeks, Hollywood has been abuzz with talk about a conflict that arose during the production of "It Ends With Us." The lead actress, Blake Lively, has filed a lawsuit against her on-screen partner and the director, Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment. This allegedly included invading her privacy and incorporating more sexually suggestive scenes into the script. In response, Baldoni has presented his version of events, asserting that Lively engaged in large-scale manipulation.
Baldoni's lawyers have announced plans to file several lawsuits for violating his rights. Initially, they demanded €242 million from the publisher of "The New York Times" for allegedly instigating what Lively called a "cruel defamation campaign" against Baldoni. However, this marks only the beginning of the legal dispute.
Will Blake Lively have to pay €387 million to her "colleague" from the set?
Justin Baldoni is seeking significant compensation from the actress and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. The amount in question is €387 million. A 179-page lawsuit was filed in a New York court a few days ago.
A new development, highlighted in documents obtained by the editorial staff of Page Six, includes the accusation that the star couple used a pop icon to gain more control over the film's production. The alleged artist is Taylor Swift.
The lawsuit claims Baldoni was invited to Blake's New York apartment, where Reynolds and their "famous and very close friend" Swift were also present, allegedly admiring Lively's revisions to the script. Following the meeting, Baldoni supposedly sent a message to his on-screen partner about the rooftop scene where their characters first meet.
Also was working on rooftop scene today, I really love what you did. It really does hep a lot. Makes it so much more fun and interesting. (And I would have felt that way without Ryan and Taylor) You really are a talent across the board. Really excited nd grateful to do this together - this is reportedly how the message read.
Blake Lively reportedly replied by writing to Baldoni, wishing him success as a director and actor and assuring him they were on the same team. Her lengthy message concluded with a comparison to the "Mother of Dragons" Khaleesi from "Game of Thrones," referencing the powerful allies she has at her disposal.
If you ever get around to watching Game of Thrones, you’ll appreciate that I’m Khaleesi, and like her, I happen to have a few dragons. For better or worse, but usually for better. Because my dragons also protect those I fight for. So really we all benefit from those gorgeous monsters of mine. You will too, I can promise you.
Justin Baldoni's lawyers interpreted this message as an attempt at coercion and a veiled threat involving the "two very influential celebrities" likened to dragons.
Blake Lively allegedly mocked Baldoni's appearance in an insensitive manner
The court documents also describe a difficult filming day for the actor and director, during which Blake Lively made a cutting remark about him.
The evidence reportedly includes a recording of this uncomfortable situation. Affected by the inappropriate joke, Justin discussed facial dysmorphia on his podcast "Man Enough."
It is worth noting that Blake Lively had previously directed similar claims against her legal adversary when he supposedly commented on her post-pregnancy weight after their fourth child.
