Blake Lively Talks Candidly About Her Experience on the Set of ‘It Ends With Us’ Before Key Hearing
The production of It Ends With Us has been described as “a really gross and disturbing shoot” by actress Jenny Slate in newly-unsealed text messages from 2023. This revelation comes just two days ahead of a pivotal hearing related to Blake Lively’s ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit against Justin Baldoni and the film’s production team.
As the case unfolds, Lively has made serious allegations against Baldoni, describing him as a “rabid pig” and “doofus,” with numerous candid details and allegations found in the extensive documentation. The filings include contributions from various individuals connected to the production, including Lively, Slate, It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover, screenwriter Christy Hall, and actress Isabela Ferrer. Notably, public figures like Taylor Swift also emerge in text exchanges, with Swift branding Baldoni a “bitch” in one such conversation.
In a text dated June 4, 2023, Slate bluntly referred to Baldoni as “the biggest clown and the most intense narcissist,” further exposing the troubled atmosphere during the film’s production.
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The newly released documents reinforce Lively’s assertion, corroborating her claims of harassment and retaliation both during production and in its aftermath. She states, “I did my best to compartmentalize and get through it,” yet she alleges that after voicing concerns about inappropriate conduct, both Baldoni and Wayfarer CEO Jamey Heath attempted to vilify her.
Lively’s case came to public attention following her California Civil Rights Department complaint filed on December 20, 2024. She has accused Baldoni of repeated harassment during filming and claims he orchestrated a smear campaign against her to deflect blame regarding her potential allegations. As the situation further develops, a trial date has been set for this spring, contingent upon the outcomes of court-ordered settlement discussions next month. Lively is seeking approximately $500 million in damages related to the harm to her reputation, family, and businesses; Baldoni’s countersuit for $400 million was dismissed last year.
Recent filings provide additional clarity on Sony Pictures’ involvement in the production. The documents argue against claims of sabotage or control over the editing process, stating that Lively oversaw the version of It Ends With Us released in August 2024. Lively asserts that she was allowed to create her own edit at Sony’s urging, specifically to align with the studio’s release plans, though she did not receive additional compensation or credits for her contributions.
Further complexity is added by comments from Sony’s EVP Production, who reportedly referred to Lively as a “f*cking terrorist” during discussions about her concerns regarding the project. In her declaration from last month, Lively clarified, “My involvement in the edit arose because of these concerns combined with Sony and Wayfarer’s pressure to locked [sic] down an accelerated release date.” She emphasized the necessity of being comfortable with the final product, as it represented her likeness used in promotional materials for the film, reinforcing her stance that she did not seek control or recognition for her work.
