The long-simmering conflict between It Ends With Us co-stars Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively has taken a dramatic new turn. Newly unsealed court documents have brought private text messages into the public eye, shedding fresh light on what was unfolding behind the scenes as the film neared one of its most contentious phases.
At the centre of the latest development is a December 30, 2023 text message sent by Baldoni, in which he accused Lively of “setting me up for a trap” during disputes over how intimate scenes in the film should be handled.
What the Unsealed Texts Reveal
According to the unsealed messages, Baldoni vented to his then-agent at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment after what he described as an emotionally draining week on set. In the text, he claimed that Lively had refused to use a body double for sex scenes while simultaneously pushing for one to be used in his place — a contradiction he said placed him in a difficult and uncomfortable position.
Baldoni also alleged that Lively rejected his storyboards for the film’s intimate moments and pushed for both actors to remain fully clothed during scenes he believed were essential to portraying the romance accurately. He reportedly described the situation as chaotic and exhausting, saying he was conceding to most of her demands simply to keep the peace.
The message was sent just days before a major January 4, 2024 meeting involving Baldoni, Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and studio executives — a meeting that would later become a focal point in the escalating legal battle.
The January 4 “All-Hands” Meeting
That January meeting was organised to address a list of 17 protections that Lively had requested before filming resumed. These safeguards, agreed upon in writing weeks earlier, were designed to address her concerns around on-set conduct, safety, and boundaries following the Hollywood strikes.
While Baldoni had publicly acknowledged the protections as necessary and reasonable at the time, the newly revealed texts suggest he privately felt frustrated and resentful about the situation — a contrast that has now become central to the legal arguments on both sides.
Blake Lively’s Camp Pushes Back
Sources close to Lively have strongly disputed Baldoni’s framing of the situation. According to those familiar with her position, the messages were sent only after Lively had raised detailed complaints about what she believed to be a hostile work environment created by Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath.
The source claims the text chain reflects retaliation rather than victimhood, arguing that Baldoni’s anger stemmed from having to comply with safeguards he had already agreed to — and later acknowledged as justified in legal depositions.
They also stress that the timing of the messages is critical, as they were sent just before formal discussions around workplace protections were set to take place with studio leadership.
A Conflict Months in the Making
The fallout between the two stars did not emerge overnight. Court filings reference an alleged April 2023 confrontation on set in which Ryan Reynolds reportedly confronted Baldoni over comments perceived as fat-shaming toward Lively. Witnesses later claimed the exchange was emotional and intense, unfolding in front of several high-profile observers.
By late 2024, the dispute erupted into full-scale legal warfare. Lively filed a lawsuit accusing Baldoni and associates of sexual harassment and retaliation, seeking substantial damages. Baldoni responded with a countersuit denying all allegations and accusing Lively of coercive behaviour — a case that was later dismissed by a federal judge.
Where the Legal Battle Stands Now
The legal wrangling is far from over. Portions of the December 30 text exchange surfaced as part of a motion related to sealed court exhibits, reigniting public scrutiny just months ahead of the next major hearing.
A court session is scheduled for January 22, with the trial currently set for May 18. As more documents emerge and testimonies unfold, the case continues to attract attention not just for its legal stakes, but for what it reveals about power dynamics, consent, and conflict on modern film sets.
Final Words
What began as a highly anticipated adaptation of a bestselling novel has now become one of Hollywood’s most closely watched behind-the-scenes controversies. With private messages now public and both sides standing firm in their narratives, the It Ends With Us dispute has shifted from whispers to courtroom scrutiny — and its final chapter is still far from being written.
