Recent court papers have surfaced revealing emails Blake Lively allegedly sent to prominent figures, including Ben Affleck, concerning Justin Baldoni amid their ongoing dispute. This correspondence sheds light on the tension and turmoil involving the actors as the accusations and defense unfold.
In 2024, following their collaboration on the movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and initiating a smear campaign against her. Baldoni has denied all allegations, with the case scheduled for trial in May 2024. After a period of silence, new legal documents show Lively reached out to Affleck on May 17, 2024, seeking advice and feedback.
Details of Blake Lively’s Email to Ben Affleck
The email, obtained by The Tab, was sent by Lively asking Ben Affleck to watch her latest movie and provide any insights or notes, although she emphasized there was “zero pressure.” While she did not mention Baldoni by name, her references in the email strongly suggest him as the subject of her complaints, according to reports by the BBC.
In the message, Lively described the film’s troubled production, comparing the making-of documentary to a combination of chaotic real-life events such as Wild Wild Country, Fyre Festival, and Going Clear with the cult status of the movie The Room. She referred to Baldoni in a scathing manner as the
“chaotic clown ‘director’/actor/producer/financier/studio head at the center”
and added that
“he and everyone he had on the movie is in a cult.”
Full Content of Blake Lively’s Email to Ben Affleck
Blake opened the email informally addressing Affleck and praising his recent work and reputation within her social circle. She wrote:
I’m writing with a zero pressure ask. 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,
She went on to detail the intense challenges she faced during production, explaining that she rewrote the script and ended up having to direct the movie informally through the
“chaotic clown director/actor/producer/financier/studio head at the center,”
who is implied to be Baldoni. She described the difficulties navigating his ego and prior decisions, as well as numerous human resources issues, which compounded the stressful environment.
Lively revealed she and Baldoni were engaged in a post-production “bake off” over the film’s editing, with him editing since July and giving her ten days to submit her own version. Meanwhile, she was preparing for a friends and family preview in New York, hoping to gather feedback before the final dispute over the cut.
She then requested Affleck’s help:
If you have 1:58 of free time at any time in the next few days, would you be willing to watch the movie and give me any ideas or notes. I will pix it to you. You can literally text me a voice memo so you don’t have to formally write thoughts. If your wife or kids are around, I’d love their opinion also (fyi it does cover domestic violence so no one is caught off guard). 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.
Lively stressed again that there was no pressure but expressed how important the film’s success was to her, calling the experience nearly devastating. She also mentioned Ryan and Matt as people who were supporting her and noted, humorously, that “Jason Bourne” was watching the movie, promising to get Affleck an autograph someday. She concluded warmly:
If you’re still reading this, whoa. You’re not nearly as busy as you think. or you’re a very nice person.
She signed off with warmth, sending her best wishes.
Current Status and Reactions Within the Feud
At the time of reporting, Justin Baldoni had not responded to the allegations or the recent revelations. Both Lively and Baldoni have been contacted for comment by The Tab but have yet to provide public statements. The anticipation of the upcoming trial in May adds heightened scrutiny to the dispute, attracting attention from industry insiders and audiences alike.
The unfolding conflict between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, illuminated by this revealed correspondence involving Ben Affleck, underscores the complex personal and professional struggles behind the scenes of major film productions. How this will impact their careers and public perceptions remains an open question as the case moves forward.
