The Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively drama shows no signs of slowing down as new revelations continue to circulate on social media, including Scarlett Johansson’s alleged involvement in the controversy. Interestingly, Johansson worked with Baldoni before the release of the film It Ends With Us, in which Lively also stars. The filmmaker’s production company was reportedly financing Johansson’s directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, just weeks after Baldoni and Lively’s controversial meeting.
The tension between former co-stars Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively escalated following serious allegations and lawsuits that have surfaced, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment as well as accusations of a smear campaign against Lively. In turn, Baldoni filed a counter-lawsuit for defamation and extortion, further complicating the already heated situation. The feud became even messier when Variety revealed that Wayfarer Studios is co-financing Johansson’s Eleanor the Great, with Baldoni serving as an executive producer. This connection has added layers of complexity to the already tumultuous relationship between Lively and Baldoni.
In January 2024, Lively confronted Baldoni with specific demands that he would need to agree to for her to return to filming It Ends With Us. It was during this pivotal meeting that Baldoni alleged that Ryan Reynolds, Lively’s husband, yelled at him. About six weeks later, Johansson announced her plans to direct Eleanor the Great, which she worked on from February to April 2024, with Baldoni heavily involved in the project.
Complicating matters, Johansson is Reynolds’ ex-wife, and their separation was infamously messy since Reynolds moved on with Lively, creating an even more awkward dynamic. This collaboration between Baldoni and Johansson has certainly raised eyebrows given the messy relationship between the involved parties. Speculation regarding Lively’s potential envy of Johansson’s career has also begun to surface; it was reported by NY Daily News that Lively attempted to take a role that had initially been intended for Johansson.
Now, as Johansson steps into the director’s role, following her successful projects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe alongside several critically acclaimed films, her partnership with Baldoni for Eleanor the Great could prove significant in more ways than one. Nonetheless, claims of rivalry between Lively and Johansson remain largely speculative, and specifics surrounding their complicated dynamic can only be pieced together in light of these developments.
Eleanor the Great, written by Tory Kamen, boasts a talented cast including June Squibb, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jessica Hecht, and Erin Kellyman. The film is still waiting to finalize its release schedule, but as the drama continues to unfold, it’s evident that the tensions between Ryan Reynolds, Scarlett Johansson, Blake Lively, and Justin Baldoni are far from over.
