Speculation about conflicts during the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s ‘It Ends with Us’ has intensified following Blake Lively’s lawsuit against co-star and director Justin Baldoni for alleged sexual harassment. Lively’s public statement aims to shed light on retaliation against those reporting misconduct. Colleen Hoover has publicly supported Lively, while Baldoni’s legal team dismissed the claims as false. Tensions among the cast were evident during promotions, with Lively’s requests for restrictions on content further highlighting the discord.
Throughout the summer, various speculations emerged regarding behind-the-scenes conflicts related to the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s acclaimed novel, ‘It Ends with Us.’ During the promotional tour, a noticeable tension seemed to exist between lead actress Blake Lively, 37, and her co-star and director Justin Baldoni, 40. Months later, Lively has initiated legal action against Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment.
Blake Lively Addresses the Allegations
In a significant move, Blake Lively released her first public statement regarding the situation. Speaking to the ‘New York Times,’ she expressed, ‘I hope that my lawsuit helps to lift the veil on these insidious retaliation tactics that are meant to harm those who report misconduct, and that it helps protect others who may be targeted.’
Support from ‘It Ends with Us’ Author
Colleen Hoover, the author of ‘It Ends with Us,’ has voiced her support for Lively. On her Instagram story, she posted a photo of the two together, accompanied by a link to the ‘New York Times’ article. Hoover praised Lively, stating, ‘Blake Lively, you have always been honest, kind, helpful, and patient since the day we met. Thank you for being exactly who you are. Always stay that way. Never change. Never wilt.’
Meeting Involving Ryan Reynolds
Documents obtained by a celebrity news outlet revealed that Lively claimed Baldoni’s alleged actions caused her ‘severe emotional distress.’ A meeting was held to discuss Lively’s concerns and expectations regarding their collaboration on the film, which her husband, Ryan Reynolds, 48, also attended.
Reportedly, Lively’s requests included restrictions such as ‘no showing of nude videos or pictures of women, no discussions of Baldoni’s supposed past ‘porn addiction,’ and no mentions of the cast and crew’s genitals.’ Additional demands involved avoiding comments about Lively’s weight and her late father, as quoted by the news outlet.
Furthermore, Lively insisted on ‘no inclusion of sex scenes, oral sex, or climaxes on camera by Baldoni outside the parameters of the script, which he had agreed to upon signing the project.’ According to reports, Sony Pictures, the film’s distributor, approved these requests. However, Lively’s lawsuit contends that Baldoni engaged in a campaign of ‘social manipulation’ aimed at tarnishing her reputation.
Baldoni’s Legal Team Responds
In response to the allegations, Justin Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, claimed that Lively is leveraging the lawsuit to ‘improve her negative reputation.’ He characterized her claims as ‘false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious, designed to mislead the public.’ Freedman further alleged that Lively caused disruptions on set by threatening to not appear or promote the film, which ultimately contributed to its underwhelming performance at the box office.
Speculation of Tension Among Cast
During the promotional events, rumors circulated about a rift between Baldoni and the cast, especially since he was notably absent from group photos. Additionally, Lively and author Colleen Hoover stopped following Baldoni on Instagram. Reports indicated that disagreements during post-production resulted in two different versions of the film.
Lively also accused Baldoni of inquiring about her weight through his trainer, which she interpreted as fat-shaming. Baldoni, however, contended that he sought to train appropriately due to back issues related to lifting her in the film.
Criticism also arose around Lively’s promotional efforts for a film that addresses domestic violence. Many fans expressed that her vibrant floral outfits at public events misrepresented the film’s serious themes, presenting it instead as a lighthearted romantic comedy.
Sources used: tmz.com, nytimes.com, instagram.com