In the ongoing legal fight between actress Blake Lively and her “It Ends With Us” director and co-star Justin Baldoni, Blake sought assistance from Hollywood actor Ben Affleck. This development came to light through emails submitted on Tuesday as part of Lively’s recently unsealed deposition. The dispute between Lively and Baldoni has spanned since early 2024, involving serious allegations.
Details of Blake’s Email to Ben Affleck
According to court documents obtained by Us Weekly on January 20, 2024, Blake reached out to Affleck in May 2024 asking him to
watch the movie and give me any ideas or notes
related to her version of the film. In the email, she described her experience on the movie as
I’ve just come out the other side (well almost) of the most upsetting experience I’ve ever had on a movie. The making of doc of this film would be more interesting than the movie could ever be. It’s like if Wild Wild Country, Fyre Festival and Going Clear had a baby with The Room … Room also works though.
This comparison highlights the chaos Blake claims surrounded the film’s production.
Accusations and Production Challenges Described by Blake
Though not naming Baldoni directly, Blake referred to him indirectly in the email, writing,
Anyway, I ended up rewriting and restructuring the entire script, I also ended up having to direct the movie via the chaotic clown ‘director’/actor/producer/financier/studio head at the center. Yes that’s all the same person.
She implied that Baldoni’s multiple roles on the project created turmoil, leading her to take greater control over the film’s direction.
Seeking Advice and Industry Input on Film’s Final Cut
Blake asked Affleck for feedback, hoping he would send a voice message after watching the cut she shared. She intended to confront Baldoni over which version of the film would stand, noting that both she and Justin had edited their own preferred cuts earlier in 2024. She also expressed interest in opinions from Ben Affleck’s children or his former partner, Jennifer Lopez, and revealed that her husband, Ryan Reynolds, had asked Affleck’s close friend Matt Damon for his thoughts. Correspondence between Blake, Ryan, Matt, and Damon’s wife Luciana Barroso was part of the court submission, with Matt responding positively to offer support.
Upcoming Civil Trial and Broader Implications
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are scheduled to face each other in a civil trial this coming May. Lively initially filed sexual harassment claims against Baldoni with the California Civil Rights Department. Baldoni denies these allegations and had filed a countersuit that was dismissed in June 2023. The legal dispute has caused significant tension within the project and the involved parties, with multiple Hollywood figures now drawn into the situation. The trial’s outcome may impact reputations and professional dynamics in the industry.
