Actress Blake Lively has filed a legal complaint accusing Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director in It Ends With Us, of sexual harassment and orchestrating efforts to damage her reputation. The complaint, reportedly filed on Friday with the California Civil Rights Department, also names the studio behind the film and Baldoni's publicists as defendants.

According to the complaint, Lively alleges that Baldoni and a producer engaged in repeated sexual harassment during the film's production. After Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, addressed these concerns, she claims Baldoni and the studio implemented a "multi-tiered plan" to tarnish her image. The alleged actions included planting false narratives on social media, spreading negative stories about her, and altering the film’s marketing strategy to emphasize content on domestic violence as a means to protect Baldoni’s public image.

Responses to the Allegations

Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, has dismissed the allegations as "false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious," asserting that they were designed to "rehash a narrative in the media." Freedman claimed that the studio had to hire a crisis manager due to what he described as Lively’s "multiple demands and threats" during production. He added that Lively threatened to withhold her participation in filming and promotional activities unless her demands were met, though he did not specify the nature of those demands.

In response, Lively stated that her legal action aims to expose and challenge retaliatory tactics used against individuals who speak out about misconduct. She denied planting or spreading false information about Baldoni or the studio.

Background and Film Release

It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling 2016 novel, premiered in August and debuted with a strong $50 million opening at the box office. However, the film’s release was overshadowed by rumors of tension between Lively and Baldoni. While Lively led the promotional efforts alongside Ryan Reynolds, Baldoni stepped back from the press circuit.

Baldoni, known for his role in Jane the Virgin and as the director of Five Feet Apart, had previously addressed criticism that the film romanticized domestic violence. He stated that the team was "very intentional" in its portrayal and acknowledged the sensitivity of the topic for those with lived experiences of abuse.

The complaint marks a significant development in what has been a tumultuous post-production journey for It Ends With Us, adding legal and ethical concerns to the ongoing discourse surrounding the film and its creators.