Blake Lively Accuses Justin Baldoni of Misconduct

In a shocking legal complaint, actress Blake Lively has accused Justin Baldoni, director of the romantic drama "It Ends With Us," of sexual harassment during filming and a subsequent effort to tarnish her reputation. The complaint, which was filed with the California Civil Rights Department and later reported by The New York Times, names Baldoni, the studio behind the film, as well as Baldoni's publicists as defendants.

Details of the Allegations

In detailed allegations, Lively claims that following a confrontation regarding what she and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, described as "repeated sexual harassment and other disturbing behaviour" from Baldoni and a producer, Baldoni retaliated with a "multi-tiered plan" designed to damage her public image. Lively claims the strategy involved planting harmful theories on online platforms, orchestrating a social media smear campaign, and disseminating negative news stories about her.

Retaliation and Crisis Management

The legal document details how Baldoni allegedly assembled a team of publicists and crisis managers to execute a sophisticated retaliation plan aimed at undermining Lively’s credibility. It accuses the Baldoni-Wayfarer team of controlling the narrative to suppress any negative content about him while working to discredit her.

Marketing Shift and Survivor Content

The complaint further alleges that Baldoni dramatically shifted the marketing approach for the film, utilizing domestic violence survivor content to protect his image amidst the growing tension. Lively’s attorney argues that these actions were intended to silence any dissent regarding Baldoni's behavior on set.

Denial from Baldoni's Team

Baldoni’s legal team has vehemently denied Lively's accusations, labeling them as "completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious." Bryan Freedman, Baldoni's attorney, claimed that the studio acted “pro-actively” in hiring a crisis manager due to the multitude of demands made by Lively during production.

Specific Demands by Lively

Among the allegations, Lively’s complaint enumerates 30 demands that were allegedly agreed upon after a heated discussion about the working environment. Key demands included banning any showing of nude materials and discussions around pornography, as well as restrictions on Baldoni's personal inquiries regarding Lively’s weight, religious beliefs, and family matters. Furthermore, Lively requested the presence of an intimacy coordinator whenever they were required to film intimate scenes together, and established that Baldoni would no longer have access to her trailer while she was changing.

Objective of the Legal Action

Lively stated her objective with the legal action is to expose the dark tactics employed against individuals who speak out against misconduct, thereby protecting others from similar fates.

Impact on 'It Ends With Us' and Film Industry

While "It Ends With Us," based on Colleen Hoover’s popular 2016 novel, debuted in August to box office success with an impressive $50 million opening, the film’s marketing was marred by speculation about the disharmony between its leads. Interestingly, Baldoni appeared to take a less active role in promoting the film, leading to questions about the reported tension and discord.

Previous Defenses of the Film

Baldoni, best known for his role in "Jane the Virgin," has previously defended the film against criticism suggesting it romanticizes domestic violence, asserting that the team was thoughtful in their approach to the sensitive material. As details continue to unfold, this unfolding drama not only impacts those involved but also casts a shadow over the film industry’s handling of on-set behavior and accountability.