In an explosive turn of events, Hollywood’s A-list couple, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, have found themselves embroiled in a staggering $400 million (S$546.6 million) defamation lawsuit filed by Justin Baldoni, Lively's co-star in the gripping romance film It Ends With Us. This legal battle is the latest episode in a saga that has captivated fans and industry insiders alike.

The lawsuit follows a series of allegations made by Lively against Baldoni, who not only starred alongside her but also directed the film. Tensions escalated after Lively formally lodged a sexual harassment complaint against Baldoni, claiming she was mistreated on set. She later accused him of orchestrating a retaliatory media campaign aimed at discrediting her claims and diverting attention from the accusations she had made.

The public feud has attracted significant media attention, especially when observant fans pointed out that Lively and Baldoni were not connected on social media during the promotional phase of the film. The situation became more tumultuous as details emerged regarding Lively's grievances about Baldoni's conduct on set. She alleged that Baldoni discussed his private life inappropriately and attempted to film intimate scenes that she had not consented to.

In a disturbing claim, Lively accused lead producer Jamey Heath of watching her while she was topless, despite her clear request for him to look away. This allegation has added another layer of complexity to an already intense situation.

In response, Baldoni's counter-lawsuit claims that Lively sabotaged the production by making defamatory statements against him while allegedly trying to extort him in partnership with her husband, Reynolds. According to Baldoni, his vision for the film—created to honor domestic violence survivors—has been tarnished due to what he describes as Lively's "cruelty and actions."

The drama does not stop there; Baldoni has also taken legal action against The New York Times for an article that referenced the alleged smear campaign, which included questionable email communications and discussions about the media fallout.

Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, expressed strong sentiments regarding the matter, stating, "Lively will never again be allowed to continue to exploit actual victims of real harassment for her personal reputation gain at the expense of those without power." This statement highlights the broader implications of the case, which touches on the sensitive topics of harassment and the exploitation of victims.

As the story continues to unfold, fans and industry observers are left wondering what this means not only for the parties involved but for the film itself, which is based on Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel addressing the pressing issues of domestic violence and abuse. With the stakes so high, the outcome of this litigation could significantly impact not only the actors' careers but also the film industry’s approach to addressing claims of misconduct on set. Stay tuned as more details emerge from this high-profile legal battle!