On January 20, 2026, private texts and emails from Blake Lively emerged as part of her ongoing legal battle with director Justin Baldoni over the film It Ends With Us. The Los Angeles-based actress revealed her frustrations in these communications sent to actors Matt Damon, Luciana Damon, and Ben Affleck, exposing the difficult conditions she confronted while working on the project. This dispute sheds light on the tensions behind the scenes in Hollywood, centering on the creative control and production challenges surrounding the film.
Blake Lively Describes Grueling Experience on Set
In detailed messages from May 2024, Blake Lively portrayed her experience on the film as overwhelming and exhausting. She accused Justin Baldoni—who held multiple roles as director, producer, co-star, and financier—of lacking experience and possessing a large ego that complicated the production process. Blake lamented having to assume responsibilities beyond acting.
This movie nearly killed me… What I didn’t anticipate was having to do everything in this movie,
Blake wrote.
She revealed that she ended up rewriting the full script, directing other actors on set, and overseeing creative decisions personally, while Baldoni spent months focusing on his own version. With mounting pressures, Blake confessed to sleeping only about an hour and a half each night to keep up with deadlines, illustrating the toll the project took on her.
Matt Damon Extends Support and Assistance
In response to Blake’s texts, Matt Damon offered encouragement and assistance with the film’s editing phase. He lightheartedly invited her to direct her next movie under Artists Equity, a production company he co-founded with Ben Affleck. Damon described the group with a mix of humor and warmth.
We’ll give you any help we can. And if this experience hasn’t totally destroyed your soul, Blake, you should come direct your next movie at Artists Equity. We’re kind of like a cult but a really nice one.
Matt Damon
Additionally, court documents show that Artists Equity reached out to Sony Pictures to endorse Blake’s version of the film, suggesting a network of industry allies supporting her creative vision.
Blake Lively Labels Justin Baldoni as a “Chaotic Clown” in Correspondence
In private emails to Ben Affleck, Blake harshly criticized Justin Baldoni’s behavior during the production, calling him a chaotic clown whose ego created difficulties for the cast and crew. She also noted that many members of the production appeared entangled in what she described as a “cult,” complicating the environment further.
If I would’ve just formally directed it, it would’ve been much easier, but having to troubleshoot through his taste, ego and preexisting decisions made it so difficult…
Blake wrote.
Industry Figures Express Support for Blake Lively’s Cut
Blake revealed that Colleen Hoover, the author of It Ends With Us, praised the cut of the film she edited, lending credibility to her creative contributions. Furthermore, actor Bradley Cooper reportedly watched Blake’s version twice, which boosted her confidence in her vision and edits amid the ongoing conflict.
Legal Battle Intensifies Over Creative Control
This public exposure of Blake Lively’s texts and emails forms part of the widespread legal struggle she is embroiled in with Justin Baldoni. The dispute started as a creative disagreement but has now escalated into a significant Hollywood feud closely followed by fans and industry observers. As more documents surface, the case is expected to continue revealing additional details about the behind-the-scenes turmoil during the film’s production.
