In a new legal development, Justin Baldoni has filed a £320 million lawsuit against actress Blake Lively, escalating an ongoing dispute between the two Hollywood stars. This lawsuit, which was filed in response to Lively’s previous legal actions, has now added a surprising element by naming pop megastar Taylor Swift, though she is not being sued.
The lawsuit follows a series of legal clashes between Baldoni and Lively over the past few months. Back in December 2024, Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and participating in a “social manipulation” campaign. Lively’s legal team later filed a second lawsuit in federal court in New York.
Baldoni’s legal team has vigorously denied these allegations, calling them “categorically false.” In their response, they have filed a lawsuit accusing Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, publicist Leslie Sloane, and their PR firm Vision PR of civil extortion, defamation, and false light invasion of privacy.
Taylor Swift’s Role in the Lawsuit
While Taylor Swift is not directly being sued in this latest legal battle, she is named in Baldoni’s lawsuit, which has created significant buzz. The lawsuit alleges that Swift, alongside Ryan Reynolds, had an influence on Lively’s rewrites for a scene in the film It Ends With Us. The scene in question takes place on a rooftop, where Lively’s character, Lily Bloom, and Baldoni’s character, Ryle Kincaid, meet.
Baldoni claims that while he was initially hesitant about the changes to the scene, he later thanked Lively for her passion and assured her that the final version of the scene would be a compromise between her vision and the original. In his legal complaint, Baldoni refers to Taylor Swift as a “megacelebrity friend” who played a role in encouraging the rewrite.
Text Message Controversy
The lawsuit includes several text messages that Baldoni alleges were exchanged between him and Lively. In one of the messages, Lively is said to have expressed frustration that her specific contributions were not fully acknowledged, despite her passion for the scene’s changes. Baldoni’s response to her message reportedly includes a reference to Taylor Swift, stating, “I would have felt that way without Ryan and Taylor” with a wink emoji.
In another text, Lively is said to have expressed her dedication to Baldoni’s success, writing, “I have no motives except for you to win.” She also compared herself to a Game of Thrones character and referred to Reynolds and Swift as her “dragons.”
Impact on the Film Industry and Reputation
The escalating legal battle between Baldoni and Lively has brought significant attention to the It Ends With Us film, with the public eager to know how the legal feud may affect the project. This lawsuit also shines a light on the inner workings of Hollywood and how relationships, both personal and professional, can influence creative decisions on set.
While Taylor Swift is not directly involved in the legal actions, her name’s inclusion in the lawsuit adds another layer of intrigue to an already complex and dramatic legal dispute. Fans of all parties are closely following the developments, wondering how this will play out in the courts and whether it will have lasting effects on their public images.
The ongoing legal battles between Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, and other Hollywood figures like Ryan Reynolds and Taylor Swift have captivated the entertainment world. With accusations of defamation, civil extortion, and even claims of personal manipulation, this case is sure to continue to make headlines. As the lawsuit unfolds, the public will be watching closely to see what repercussions this legal drama may have on the careers and reputations of those involved.
Stay tuned for further updates on this legal saga involving some of Hollywood’s biggest names.
