Nicole Rivelli; Atria Books
Justin Baldoniis alleging hisIt Ends with UscostarBlake Livelydid not readColleen Hoover’s blockbuster book the movie is based on as hesues her and others for $400 million.
In the 179-page lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York on Thursday, Jan. 16, attorneys on behalf of Baldoni (who also directed the movie), 40, plus producer Jamey Heath, publicist Jennifer Abel and crisis publicistMelissa Nathanclaim that Lively made “wrongheaded creative decisions” that “reflected her fundamental lack of understanding ofthe book the film was based on.”
“This came as no surprise to her worried colleagues, given that, even well into production, Lively had not even read the book,” the lawsuit alleged of the actress, 37.
A text message from Baldoni to Heath that’s included in the lawsuit says that the creative team read and re-read Hoover’s novel, and afterward “combined scenes to heighten the stakes for” Baldoni’s character Ryle Kincaid “in pursuit of” Lively’s character Lily Bloom, “utilizing humor and his desire to sleep with her.”
“While I understand Blake’s reasons for not wanting to read the book, the book does a very good job in getting in Lily’s mind during her interactions with Ryle and setting up the WHY behind her attraction to him, which ultimately helps us understand why she stays in the end,” the text message included in the lawsuit reads.
Both the book and movie version ofIt Ends With Usfollows Lily Bloom (Lively) as she embarks on a romance with Ryle (Baldoni), but over time, his violent side emerges.
Justin Baldoni in New York City on Aug. 6, 2024; Blake Lively in London on Aug. 8, 2024.James Devaney/GC Images; Ian West/PA Images via Getty
James Devaney/GC Images; Ian West/PA Images via Getty
Back in April 2024, Lively told PEOPLE of her character in a statement surroundingan exclusive first look at the film, “Lily resonated with an enormous amount of people, as the success of the book made clear. Stepping into a character who’s had such a meaningful impact is an honor to take on.”
As for Lively as Lily, Baldoni described the actress to PEOPLE at the time as “strong, funny and intelligent — all the things you want from female heroine.”
“There wasn’t a part of this production that she didn’t touch and have influence on. And everything she put her hands on and her mind to, she made better,” he added at the time.
But in the new lawsuit — which Baldoni and his team filed not only against Lively but also her husbandRyan Reynolds, their publicist Leslie Sloane and Sloane’s PR firm Vision PR, Inc. — the plaintiffs allege that Lively’s involvement in the film exhibited “a need for control.”
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Blake Lively inIt Ends with Us(2024).Nicole Rivelli
Nicole Rivelli
The lawsuit went on to say that Lively, who was also an executive producer on the project, “insist(ed) on total control over every aspect of the film she could get her hands on, from wardrobe to marketing strategy to music, even creating her own cut of the film,” alleging that her “power play cost numerous people their jobs.”
Inher initial filingon Dec. 20, 2024, Lively claimed Baldoni exhibited “disturbing" and “unprofessional” behavior on set that led to a “hostile work environment.”
Lively’scomplaint included accusationsthat Baldoni and producer Heath entered her trailer “uninvited” while she was undressed or “vulnerable" and alleged Baldoni “suddenly” pressured her to “simulate full nudity” in a birth scene and “improvised physical intimacy that had not been rehearsed, choreographed or discussed with Ms. Lively, with no intimacy coordinator involved."
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni attend theIt Ends with UsNew York City premiere.Gotham/WireImage (2)
Gotham/WireImage (2)
Her complaint further claimed that in the aftermath of the experience and thealleged smear campaign against her, Lively “has suffered from grief, fear, trauma, and extreme anxiety.”
“Ms. Lively will never again be allowed to continue to exploit actual victims of real harassment solely for her personal reputation gain at the expense of those without power,” Freedman continued, in part. “We know the truth, and now the public does too. Justin and his team have nothing to hide, documents do not lie.”
Lively’s rep did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new lawsuit.
source: people.com
