The legal dispute between It Ends With Us co-stars Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively has escalated further, 

with Baldoni accusing Lively of hypocrisy regarding her stance on public disclosure in their ongoing litigation. 

In a court filing on Tuesday, Baldoni’s legal team challenged Lively’s request for heightened privacy protections, 

arguing that she had actively publicized her allegations against him in the media.

Baldoni’s Claims Against Lively

Baldoni, 41, stated in the legal documents that Lively, 37, was contradicting her own actions by requesting that certain case materials remain confidential. 

He noted that Lively had previously shared details of the case publicly but was now seeking to restrict access to specific evidence.

The ongoing legal battle began in December 2024 when Lively filed a lawsuit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment during the production of It Ends With Us. In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million countersuit, alleging defamation and extortion against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist Leslie Sloane. Both parties have denied the allegations made against them.

In the latest court filing, Baldoni’s attorneys expressed their surprise at Lively’s request to keep certain materials restricted, particularly given how openly she and her team had previously addressed the case in public. They argued that her attempts to shield evidence from the public eye were inconsistent with her earlier approach.

The Public Battle Over Information Control

Baldoni’s legal team listed several instances in which they claim Lively actively sought media attention for her allegations. They alleged that Lively leaked confidential information from her complaint to the California Civil Rights Department and that she and her team made multiple public statements to control the narrative.

Additionally, they pointed to Reynolds’ participation in a sketch during the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special, in which he indirectly addressed the controversy surrounding the case. The segment was widely criticized, with many accusing Reynolds and Lively of being tone-deaf regarding the severity of the legal battle.

Baldoni’s lawyers argued that Lively’s request to limit access to key evidence contradicted her previous willingness to discuss the case in the media. They claimed that Lively’s team was attempting to use selective disclosure to shape public perception while simultaneously restricting information that could challenge her allegations.

Lively’s Request for Protection Amid Threats

In response to Baldoni’s accusations, Lively’s legal team defended her request for heightened protections, citing safety concerns. They revealed that Lively, her family, and several individuals associated with the case had received violent and threatening messages.

According to a February 20 court filing, one particular threat targeted a witness who had publicly supported Lively. The message allegedly warned that the witness’s family would be harmed unless they provided a statement contradicting Lively’s claims.

Lively’s attorneys argued that exposing certain materials in the case could endanger individuals involved and potentially lead to further intimidation. They contended that restricting access to sensitive information was necessary to protect witnesses and prevent further harassment.

Baldoni’s Legal Team Pushes Back

Baldoni’s attorneys dismissed Lively’s arguments, claiming that her prior public statements about the case undermined her ability to now demand privacy. They suggested that her request to withhold materials from public view was an attempt to control the narrative while preventing scrutiny of her claims.

In their filing, Baldoni’s lawyers accused Lively’s team of misrepresenting the legal implications of her privacy request. They argued that allowing certain information to be viewed only by attorneys would create an unfair burden on third parties involved in the case.

Furthermore, they criticized Lively’s legal team for allegedly portraying her as a victim of retaliation, asserting that she had initially tried to handle the matter privately before resorting to legal action.

A Contentious Legal Battle Continues

The dispute between Baldoni and Lively has cast a shadow over the success of It Ends With Us, a film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel. While the movie has garnered significant attention, the legal turmoil surrounding its production has continued to dominate headlines.

With both parties standing firm in their positions, the case remains highly contentious. As new legal filings emerge, the battle over privacy, media control, and the broader implications of the allegations will likely intensify in the coming months.

For now, the entertainment industry—and the public—remains divided over the case, with each new development adding fuel to an already complex and highly publicized legal fight.

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