Justin Baldoni has filed a $400 million lawsuit against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloan, and the Vision PR company. In response, Blake Lively's legal team pointed to his allegations as desperate and accused him of employing abusive actions.
According to Lively's legal team, Baldoni and his partners have falsely identified her as someone who took the direction of It Ends With Us. They pointed out that Sony claims Lively was requested to supervise the movie's final edit, which was successfully released. Lawyers argue that Baldoni is attempting to divert attention from the actual problem.
Blake Lively's Lawyers Statements
Lively’s lawyer released a statement:
“This is an age-old story: The abuser tries to reverse the victim's actions once a woman comes forward with specific proof of sexual harassment and revenge. This is referred to as DARVO by experts. Deny. Attack. Reverse Victim Offender.”
Lively's legal team also charged Baldoni's production business, Wayfarer Studios, of bringing "meritless lawsuits" to make it difficult for the public to figure out that their actions are revenge for the sexual harassment claims.
Lawyers added:
“They intend to change the focus to Ms. Lively by making up the story that she mismanaged the creative process and turned the cast against Mr. Baldoni. Attacking the woman is a desperate tactic that won't work and doesn't deny the facts in Ms. Lively's suit.”
Baldoni’s Lawyer Response
Baldoni's lawyer responds to the allegations by saying that the filmmaker has many pieces of evidence to disprove Lively’s claims, such as unedited emails, video footage, and text conversations. They state that these proofs will show the defamation and reveal Lively's team's propaganda.
However, Baldoni claims that Lively and Reynolds mismanaged the "It Ends With Us" film's marketing and production. They manipulated the media to falsely accuse him and other cast members of sexual and other forms of abuse.
Lively also claimed in her lawsuit that he started unchoreographed kissing sequences, to which Baldoni replied that she started them.
Celebrity Lawsuit Over Movie
The lawsuit claims that two of the most popular people in the world used their immense influence to grab an entire movie from its producer and director. When Lively and Reynolds' attempts did not bring them recognition, they felt they were so well deserved and got mad at their victim.
A text that Baldoni presented in which Lively wrote, "And like her, I happen to have a few dragons," making comparisons to Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones. For better or worse, but typically for the better. Because my dragons defend the people I love. But those beautiful creatures of mine truly benefit all of us. She allegedly wrote, "I can assure you that you will too."