Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, are currently embroiled in a legal dispute over what evidence will be permissible for jurors to hear during their upcoming trial concerning the film “It Ends With Us.” The conflict primarily revolves around allegations made by Lively against Baldoni, including claims related to comments on her weight during the film’s pre-production.
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In a recent motion filed on 10 April, Wayfarer Studios, which Baldoni co-founded, requested that a judge block certain claims made by Lively, arguing they are irrelevant to the matter at hand. The legal representatives contended that these allegations could sway the jury unfairly, particularly after a ruling from Judge Lewis J. Liman on 2 April, which dismissed ten of Lively’s thirteen claims, including those pertaining to sexual harassment. While Baldoni has been removed as a defendant in these dismissed claims, Wayfarer Studios, which was behind the production of the film, remains involved.
The narrowing of the case focuses on Lively’s accusations of retaliation rather than workplace harassment. Wayfarer’s team maintains that bringing evidence about Baldoni’s comments on Lively’s weight would distract from key issues that the jury is supposed to consider. Meanwhile, Lively’s legal team is advocating for the inclusion of these claims, asserting they add crucial context to her retaliation allegations. They argue that the comments represent a continuous pattern of behaviour pertinent to understanding Lively’s experiences and beliefs during production.
A significant element of this dispute arose from a meeting that took place on 25 April 2023, at the New York City penthouse shared by Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. In her complaint filed in December 2024, Lively accused Baldoni of indirectly criticising her body and weight by reaching out to her fitness trainer without her consent. She alleged that Baldoni suggested she needed to lose weight in a short timeframe to prepare for specific scenes in the film.
Baldoni’s legal representatives have disputed Lively’s interpretation of events, arguing that his intention was solely to ensure safety during filming due to his prior back issues. They claim he contacted Lively’s trainer to assess her weight for a lift scene, not to criticise her. Furthermore, Baldoni alleged that Reynolds confronted him during the aforementioned meeting over comments regarding Lively’s weight, leading to a heated exchange where Reynolds accused Baldoni of “fat-shaming” and prompted Baldoni to apologise.
The pre-trial tussle not only encompasses the weight-related allegations but extends to other pieces of evidence that both sides are vying to control. Wayfarer Studios is seeking to prevent testimony from seven women who have prior allegations against Baldoni, as well as the inclusion of evidence connected to Lively’s claims of a smear campaign. This includes documents related to publicists and communications with crisis management professionals, which Lively believes support her case.
Conversely, Lively’s legal team has referenced comments made by Wayfarer financier Steve Sarowitz, claiming he expressed a willingness to expend “£100 million to ruin the lives” of Lively and Reynolds. Baldoni’s defence argues that such comments should be excluded from the trial as they are irrelevant. Additionally, Lively is seeking to limit any trial discussions regarding her and Reynolds’ financial status, as well as testimonies about a viral interview and other claims labelled as irrelevant by her team.
A crucial pretrial hearing is scheduled for 28 April, where the court will likely rule on these evidentiary disputes. With the trial set to commence on 18 May in New York City, both parties are working diligently to define the narrative that will be presented to the jury. This high-profile case not only highlights significant issues related to workplace conduct and personal accountability but also raises broader questions about the standards of behaviour expected within the film industry.