Amid rising tensions during the post-production of It Ends With Us, Blake Lively reportedly reached out to Ben Affleck and Matt Damon for their feedback on her version of the film. This move came amid a growing conflict involving the film’s director and co-star, Justin Baldoni, as revealed in recent court documents.
The legal filings, examined by Entertainment Weekly, detail Lively’s efforts to involve Damon and Affleck while wrapping up the project. In May 2024, she and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, invited Damon and his wife, Luciana, to view her personal cut of the movie and provide notes. Lively warned them that the film contains intense scenes related to domestic violence, emphasizing her creative involvement in the project.
In the filings, Lively expressed her frustrations about the production, stating,
This movie nearly killed me. The director/co-star/producer/financier/head of the studio (yes all one person) had zero experience, but the good news is he also has no taste, and an enormous ego.
She claimed to have taken on significant responsibilities, including rewriting the script and guiding the actors’ performances.
Responses from Damon and Affleck as Blake Lively Seeks Support
According to the documents, Matt Damon responded with empathy and agreed to watch Lively’s version of the film, assuring her,
We’ll give you any help we can.
Damon also encouraged Lively to direct a future project with Artists Equity, the production company he co-founded alongside Ben Affleck.
On the same day, Lively emailed Affleck, describing Baldoni as a chaotic clown and expressing her dissatisfaction with the production process. She asked Affleck if he would review the film and offer feedback, mentioning Damon’s participation and thanking him for his support.
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, responded to the allegations by stating that the latest exchanges do not substantiate Lively’s claims and affirmed his clients’ confidence in the legal proceedings.
Implications for the Film and Industry Relationships
This dispute highlights the intense pressures surrounding the making of It Ends With Us, especially given its sensitive subject matter. Lively’s outreach to influential figures like Affleck and Damon suggests her desire to protect her creative vision amid the behind-the-scenes conflict. How this will affect the film’s final release and the relationships between the involved parties remains uncertain, but the legal battle and public tension indicate ongoing complications in the project’s future.
