In May 2024, Blake Lively reached out to Ben Affleck, asking him and his then-wife Jennifer Lopez to watch her cut of the film It Ends With Us, amid her ongoing conflict with director Justin Baldoni. The actress, who is deeply invested in the project, sought feedback from Affleck, emphasizing the importance of his insight on her version of the drama.
Blake Lively’s Email Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Struggles
Court documents obtained by Page Six include an alleged email Lively sent to Affleck in which she asks him to
“watch the movie and give me any ideas or notes”
on her cut of the 2024 drama. In this message, Lively describes the experience of making the film as profoundly difficult, stating,
“I’ve just come out the other side (well almost) of the most upsetting experience I’ve ever had on a movie.”
She paints a chaotic picture of production, humorously noting that the making-of documentary would be more intriguing than the film itself. Lively compares the turmoil to a blend of notorious documentaries, saying,
“It’s like if ‘Wild Wild Country,’ ‘Fyre Festival’ and ‘Going Clear’ had a baby with ‘The Room’ … ‘Room’ also works though.”
Her frustrations extend toward Baldoni, who both directed and starred in the film. She refers to him as a “clown” and explains that she was forced to rewrite and reorganize the entire script. Lively alleges,
“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.”
She emphasizes that all those roles were filled by the same individual.
Furthering allegations, Lively asserts that everyone Baldoni hired to work on the film was involved in “a cult.” She also references significant human resources challenges and difficult dynamics surrounding Baldoni’s “ego and preexisting decisions.”
Details About the Editing Battle and Preview Plans
The email reveals Lively and Baldoni were in a “bake off” to finalize the movie’s edit. She reports that he
“has been editing since, I kid you not, July,”
while she was given only ten days for her own editing pass. A formal screening was scheduled in New York for friends and family, allowing her to gather feedback before the final showdown.
Lively asked Affleck if he had
“any time in the next few days”
to watch her version and provide “any ideas or notes.” She also requested that Lopez and Affleck’s three children—Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, and Samuel, 13—might watch the cut. She warned them that the film covers domestic violence so no one would be unprepared.
She expressed admiration for Lopez, writing,
“I’m such a fan of Jennifer’s, I’ve told her as much every time I’ve met her, and it would be an honor to have her take. Again, zero pressure.”
Lively’s appeal highlights the emotional toll the film took on her, saying,
“I just really want this to work after all I’ve put into it. This movie nearly killed me. And I can think of very few people who would be as prescriptive and insightful as I know you would be.”
Moreover, Lively mentioned that her husband, Ryan Reynolds, reached out to Affleck’s close friend Matt Damon and his wife to view the film as well. She noted,
“I think [Damon’s] watching this weekend. Good men showing up. I’m beyond grateful for that.”
Context of Lively’s Legal Battle with Justin Baldoni
This communication surfaced alongside Lively’s unsealed deposition released in April 2026, four months ahead of the highly anticipated sexual harassment trial with Justin Baldoni. In December 2024, the actress filed a lawsuit alleging Baldoni sexually harassed her during the making of It Ends With Us. Baldoni has denied the allegations and countersued Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist for defamation and other claims. However, his $400 million countersuit was dismissed in June 2025.
The trial between Lively and Baldoni is scheduled to begin on May 18, 2026, marking a crucial moment in the ongoing legal dispute that has drawn significant public and industry attention.
Potential Impact on Reputation and Film Industry Discussions
Lively’s detailed email provides rare insight into the strain and complexity behind a high-profile film’s production. Her descriptions of having to assume unofficial directorial duties and navigate conflicting creative control spotlight the difficulties actors may face in collaborative projects. The allegations against Baldoni and the ensuing legal proceedings underscore broader conversations around workplace harassment and power dynamics within the entertainment industry.
If the court trial affirms Lively’s claims, the consequences for the parties involved—and possibly for industry standards—could be significant. The involvement of major industry figures such as Affleck, Lopez, Reynolds, and Damon also increases the trial’s public profile.
As the legal case unfolds, attention will likely continue to focus on the making of It Ends With Us and how creative authority, personal boundaries, and professional conduct intersect in Hollywood productions.
