The ongoing legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, which began in December 2024 over allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation, has intensified with the unsealing of court documents naming several prominent Hollywood figures, including Matt Damon. These Matt Damon court messages and other communications have been revealed ahead of the trial scheduled for May 2026, shedding light on behind-the-scenes tensions related to the film It Ends with Us.
Although the lawsuit primarily involves Lively and Baldoni, who directed and starred in the movie, the dispute’s fallout has drawn in multiple celebrities through court filings released in late 2025 and early 2026. Messages exchanged between Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and various actors and public figures describe differing perspectives on the production, adding complexity to the case.
Notable Communications Revealing Hollywood Star Involvement
Before the trial trial, unsealed court documents disclosed Lively’s extensive witness list, including stars such as Emily Blunt, Gigi Hadid, and Hugh Jackman. Texts, emails, and messages submitted in January 2026 exposed interactions with influential figures like Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Taylor Swift concerning the troubled movie and its edit, sparking considerable media attention.
Taylor Swift’s Support and Involvement
Taylor Swift was among the celebrities contacted by Lively, who sought her endorsement for a revised script of It Ends with Us. Baldoni’s legal team pointed out that Swift allegedly agreed without reading the script. Lively’s attorneys clarified that the actress sent the script during Swift’s visit to her apartment but did not pressure her to read it.
Swift was described as “so epically heroic” by Lively and kept Ryan Reynolds updated on their exchanges. Early December 2024 messages allegedly showed Swift commenting on Baldoni’s behavior, describing him as aware of impending trouble. After news of the case became public via a New York Times article, Swift expressed to Lively that she had helped prevent future victims from facing similar situations.
Travis Kelce’s Unexpected Connection
In April 2024, Lively also emailed Swift, requesting her opinion on the film edits and asking her to share them with her fiancé, Travis Kelce, indicating a personal level of trust and the desire for feedback from those close to Swift. These messages reveal the extent to which Lively involved her network in navigating the dispute.
Matt Damon and Luciana Damon’s Involvement
Ryan Reynolds reportedly reached out to Matt Damon and his wife Luciana in May 2024, encouraging them to review Lively’s version of the film. Lively stressed the request carried “zero pressure.” In court filings, Lively described her experience working on the movie as one that nearly “killed” her, also accusing Baldoni of being “in a cult.”
Matt Damon responded with support, offering “any help we can” and proposed that Lively consider directing her next film with Damon’s and Affleck’s production company, Artists Equity, if the grueling experience hadn’t “totally destroyed [her] soul.” Damon humorously compared their company to a cult but “a really nice one,” to which Lively replied, “Where do I sign.”
Further controversy arose from an allegation that before filming began, Baldoni contacted Lively’s trainer to inquire about how much she might weigh weeks after giving birth, claiming it was needed for a scene where he would carry her. Lively also stated that Baldoni claimed frequent conversations with her late father, prompting Luciana Damon to mock him as a “creep” and suggest Lively make a film about him. Lively wittily responded that she already had the documentary title: “Lights, Cult, Action.”
Reynolds ended one email exchange describing Baldoni as a
“malignantly vein [sic], sociopathic FAUXminist with almost no sense of boundaries or shame.”
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez Also Contacted
Lively invited Ben Affleck to view the rewritten cut of It Ends with Us in the same period and sought feedback without pressure. She described the film’s creation as the most distressing experience she had endured, likening it to a mix of infamous documentaries and movies infamous for their chaotic productions.
Affleck’s then-wife Jennifer Lopez was also included in Lively’s outreach, whom Lively called a “fan” and honored to have review the film. It remains unknown if either Affleck or Lopez responded or watched the film.
Anna Wintour’s Commendation Amid Turmoil
In August 2024, coinciding with the premiere of It Ends with Us, former Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour sent an email praising Lively for a “very brave and moving film” and highlighting the brilliance of the rooftop scene. Wintour acknowledged the difficulty of Lively’s situation and expressed pride in her accomplishment.
Jenny Slate’s Harsh Criticism of Justin Baldoni
Jenny Slate, who played Baldoni’s on-screen sister, expressed strong disapproval of him through texts leaked in court documents. Slate described the filming as “gross and disturbing” and said she and Lively had complained directly to the studio. She labeled Baldoni a “fraud” and “false ally,” criticizing the image he cultivated as a male feminist.
Slate expressed frustration in her texts, calling Baldoni the “biggest clown” and a narcissist, emphasizing her unwillingness to support anything that promoted the persona he crafted publicly.
Brandon Sklenar’s Messages Reflect Industry Frustration
Brandon Sklenar, who played the character Atlas, exchanged texts with Lively discussing the tumultuous production, notably their frustration with Baldoni’s unauthorized viewing of Lively’s cut. Lively called Baldoni “bat s—” for actions he took without permission, illustrating the tension on set. Sklenar noted his bafflement at Baldoni’s poor foresight, especially given Baldoni’s public image surrounding talks, podcasts, and books.
Lively accused Baldoni of trying to involve everyone in his “messiness,” capturing a widespread feeling of disillusionment among cast and crew.
Jameela Jamil’s Critical View Post-Premiere
Shortly after the movie premiere, actress Jameela Jamil exchanged texts with Jennifer Abel, their mutual publicist, in which she strongly criticized Lively. Jamil described Lively’s behavior during press interviews as that of a “suicide bomber” and called her a “bizarre villain act.”
Jamil and Abel discussed a survivors link Lively shared on social media about domestic violence, with Abel calling it “sick” and Jamil dismissing it as “so cold” and just “some stats and a link.” Jamil advised keeping Baldoni away from interacting with Lively’s messaging strategy, urging silence and control over the narrative.
Ryan Reynolds and Johnny Depp Comparisons
On the day of the film’s premiere, Reynolds sent a message to his manager, Warren Zavala, expressing anger over Baldoni’s and producer Jamey Heath’s reactions to Lively’s complaints about the work environment. The messages revealed concern about public portrayals of Lively as controlling and manipulative.
Zavala suggested letting public interest “burn out,” to which Reynolds responded by referencing Johnny Depp’s highly publicized legal issues, implying a cautionary tale. Zavala described Depp as an egotistical figure whose downfall negatively affected all involved.
Bradley Cooper’s Support During the Production Crisis
In May 2024, Lively informed an unnamed recipient about her conversations with Colleen Hoover, the author of It Ends with Us, who was said to be horrified by Baldoni’s “internal smear campaign.” Hoover reportedly screened Lively’s film cut for the first time in New York, where Bradley Cooper was also present.
Lively praised Cooper as an “absolute hero” who gave her much-needed support during the editing process. The recipient underscored that
“No one. Should ever. Get into a war of wills with you,”
reflecting solidarity amid the turmoil.
The Significance of the Matt Damon Court Messages and Wider Fallout
The revelation of these Matt Damon court messages and other interactions underlines the far-reaching fallout of the lawsuit between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. The involvement of high-profile individuals exposes a web of behind-the-scenes conflicts and alliances that have escalated public interest in the case beyond typical legal proceedings.
This exposure has the potential to influence not only the upcoming trial but also the reputations and careers of those named. As the trial in May 2026 approaches, further disclosures may surface, shaping public and legal perceptions around harassment, power dynamics, and professional conduct within Hollywood’s film production environment.
