Amid intense turmoil during the completion of It Ends With Us, Blake Lively sought assistance from notable actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon to review her cut of the film. The communication unfolded in May 2024, as Lively, who also produced the movie, faced a highly publicized dispute with the film’s director and co-star, Justin Baldoni. This legal conflict brought additional scrutiny to how the movie was shaped and edited behind the scenes.
Appealing to Trusted Hollywood Figures for Support
Unsealed court documents connected to Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni reveal that she and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, reached out to Damon and his wife, Luciana, inviting them to watch Lively’s version of the movie. Unlike the director’s cut, Lively’s edit diverged significantly, reflecting her vision after extensive involvement in reshaping the script and directing actors on set.
Ryan Reynolds, who previously collaborated with Damon on projects such as Deadpool 2 and IF, added a remark in the message thread describing the film’s production as one of the most chaotic and memorable experiences on and off set. He suggested that the stories arising from making the movie could eventually become a film of their own, highlighting the extraordinary and unpredictable challenges faced by the cast and crew.
Details of Blake Lively’s Struggles and Film Reworking
The documents disclose that Lively expressed deep frustration over the production process, particularly with Baldoni’s role. She described a difficult working relationship with the director, alleging he held significant control over various facets of the film without the necessary experience or artistic judgment. Her messages to Damon and Affleck included phrases like, “This movie nearly killed me,” and harsh critiques of Baldoni’s leadership, claiming he combined multiple positions—director, co-star, producer, financier, and studio head—while running the set with what she characterized as an inflated ego shaped by cult-like beliefs.
According to Lively’s account, she took on extensive responsibilities to keep the movie afloat, including rewriting the entire script, directing actors, and assisting the director of photography when Baldoni was unable to provide clear guidance. Despite these efforts, Baldoni reportedly excluded her from the editing process, forcing her to assemble a competing version of the film in only ten days against an edit he had been crafting for months. These claims portray an environment rife with conflict, mismanagement, and HR issues throughout production.
Hollywood Allies Respond with Encouragement and Offers
The Damons responded with empathy and pledged their support. Matt Damon not only agreed to watch Lively’s cut of the film but also invited her to consider directing a future project with his production company, Artists Equity, which he co-founded with Affleck. His message conveyed encouragement despite the draining experience, noting,
“We’ll give you any help we can.”
Damon even humorously referred to their company as
“kind of like a cult but a really nice one.”
On the same day, Lively reached out to Affleck through email, referencing their previous work together on the 2010 film The Town and sharing how Reynolds admired Affleck’s recent Dunkin’ commercial. Lively described her ordeal with Baldoni in vivid terms, likening the making of the film to a chaotic blend reminiscent of the documentaries and events Wild Wild Country, Fyre Festival, Going Clear, and the cult classic The Room. She called Baldoni a “chaotic clown” and confirmed the cult membership allegations regarding him and much of the film crew.
She asked Affleck to take about two minutes to watch the movie and provide any feedback, no matter how informal, inviting him to send voice memos if that was easier. Additionally, Lively suggested that Jennifer Lopez, Affleck’s wife at the time, and their children could also offer opinions. Lively expressed admiration for Lopez and hoped her perspective would help refine the film further.
Legal Battle Escalates Amid Production Fallout
The tensions over It Ends With Us extended into a high-profile legal showdown, starting when Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department in December 2024. She accused Baldoni of sexual harassment on set and alleged that he orchestrated a smear campaign against her earlier in the year. Soon after, Lively initiated a federal lawsuit in New York against Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer.
Baldoni retaliated with a countersuit seeking $400 million in damages, claiming defamation, civil extortion, invasion of privacy, and breach of contract, targeting Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane. However, his countersuit was dismissed in June 2025 when Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled that Lively’s allegations could not be classified as defamatory, strengthening her legal position. The case revealed a complicated and adversarial relationship that extended well beyond the film set into the courtroom.
Implications for the Film and Industry Awareness
This ongoing feud sheds light on the challenges of creative control and workplace dynamics within Hollywood productions. Blake Lively’s efforts to complete It Ends With Us in her own way, despite the adversity, illustrates the struggles that can occur when artistic vision clashes with leadership in filmmaking. The involvement of well-known figures like Matt Damon and Ben Affleck adds a layer of industry solidarity amid the turmoil.
Going forward, the resolution of this conflict may influence how future productions address behind-the-scenes disputes, particularly related to harassment and creative authority. Additionally, Lively’s openness about her ordeal will likely resonate with others in the industry facing similar challenges, potentially sparking conversations about accountability and support for actors who take on multifaceted roles in their projects.
