Home / Entertainment / A Full Timeline Of Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni’s ‘It Ends With Us’ Feud In Court, Online & In The Media
A Full Timeline Of Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni’s ‘It Ends With Us’ Feud In Court, Online & In The Media

A Full Timeline Of Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni’s ‘It Ends With Us’ Feud In Court, Online & In The Media

Sony’s It Ends With Us tailored Colleen Hoover’s robust tale about home violence and a resilient girl, however drama between stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni at the back of the scenes and afterwards has lingered past the movie’s free up in theaters. Arriving to the massive display closing August and later heading to streaming on Netflix in December 2024, the Justin-Baldoni-directed movie drew many moviegoers, despite the fact that some didn’t notice what the tale was once totally about.

Tensions principally lie between the movie’s costars — Lively, who portrays primary personality Lily Bloom, and Baldoni, who additionally stars as Ryle, the abusive husband of Lily, along with directing the movie with a script from Christy Hall. During press for the movie, it changed into transparent that Baldoni and Lively have been keeping up distance from each and every different, or even at the purple carpet on the New York premiere, they didn’t take pictures in combination.

Late in 2024, revelations took place thru a nixed SNL internet hosting marketing campaign for Lively, a disappointing Blake Brown Beauty product release for the actress, proceedings and extra. For a whole timeline of moments, massive and small, that make up the feud that bloomed between the celebrities, their publicists, attorneys and extra, practice alongside beneath — and we can be updating:

Dec. 20, 2024 – Blake Lively Accuses Justin Baldoni of Sexual Harrassment & “Astroturfing”

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in a scene from ‘It Ends With Us’

Sony Pictures Releasing / courtesy Everett Collection

Months after the movie’s awkward premiere and weeks after the movie went to Netflix for streaming, a brand new spherical of explosive proof got here out that one thing indisputably went down between the 2 stars. Lively accused Baldoni and his manufacturing corporate Wayfarer Studios in addition to others at the back of the movie of sexually harassing her and in addition strategizing to “destroy her reputation.”

Lively filed a 10-claim grievance with the California Civil Rights Department, detailing a “hostile work enviornment’ as well as the alleged “Astroturfing” marketing campaign.

“Mr. Baldoni and his Wayfarer associates embarked on a sophisticated press and digital plan in retaliation for Ms. Lively exercising her legally-protected right to speak up about their misconduct on the set, with the additional objective of intimidating her and anyone else from revealing in public what actually occurred,” the 80-page grievance, full of apparently damning textual content messages between Baldoni and disaster communications specialist Melissa Nathan and her corporate, The Agency Group PR LLC (TAG) declared.

RELATED: Blake Lively Nixed ‘SNL’ Season 50 Premiere Hosting Gig Due To ‘It Ends With Us’ Smear Campaign

The grievance additionally described Lively and her workers being matter to “nude videos or images of women, including producer’s wife,” mentions of Baldoni’s or fellow manufacturer Jamey Heath’s “previous ‘pornography addiction,’” discussions “about personal experiences with sex,” a “description of their own genitalia” and “personal, physical touching of, or sexual comments.” The submitting, which was once a prelude to a lawsuit, additionally incorporates inquiries by way of Baldoni to Lively’s instructor “without her knowledge or consent to disclose her weight.” It additionally alleges Baldoni and/or others added “sex scenes, oral sex, or on-camera climaxing by [Lively] outside the scope of the script.”

Dec. 21 Consequences for Baldoni

Justin Baldoni in 'It Ends With Us'

Justin Baldoni stars in IT ENDS WITH US.

Sony

WME hastily dropped Baldoni following the bombshell accusations. Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman referred to as the allegations “completely false.” This was once Dec. 21, the similar day the New York Times posted its in-depth “We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Campaign” reveal.

Two days later, Liz Plank — co-host of Baldoni’s podcast “Man Enough” — hand over the undertaking to distance herself from the Jane the Virgin vet. Plank posted on Instagram about her departure, however she didn’t title Baldoni or point out the allegations towards him.

Dec. 21-23: Support for Lively

L-R: Amber Heard, Amy Schumer, Paul Feig, Kaitlin Olson & Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow, Amy Schumer, Paul Feig, Kaitlin Olson and Amber Heard voiced fortify for Lively, denouncing the marketing campaign towards her.

After the movie arrived in theaters in early August 2024, Lively’s costar Brandon Sklenar, who performs Lily Bloom’s different love passion within the movie Atlas Corrigan, first of all sponsored Lively when rumors began to swirl about what may well be occurring at the back of the scenes.

“I wanted to take a minute and address all this stuff swirling online,” Sklenar wrote in a commentary posted on Instagram. “Colleen and the women of this cast stand for hope, perseverance, and for women choosing a better life for themselves. Vilifying the women who put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about.”

RELATED: Blake Lively Thanks ‘It Ends With Us’ Author Colleen Hoover For Changing Her Life “For Good”

Many contributors of the fame neighborhood have additionally since free up statements supporting Blake Lively, from Hoover’s further phrases of reward and knowledge to Lively’s The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants costars and extra.

Sklenar and Jenny Slate additionally expressed worry for Lively following the reignition of the drama, with Sklenar urging other people to learn her grievance and Slate calling the placement “dark, disturbing and wholly threatening.”

L-R: Brandon Sklenar and Jenny Slate in scenes from ‘It Ends With Us’

Sony, the studio that allotted the movie, condemned “any reputational attacks” on Lively, supporting the actress, whose lower of the movie was once proven over Baldoni’s.

RELATED: ‘It Ends With Us’: How Blake Lively Was “A Creative Tour De Force” In Transforming Colleen Hoover Novel Into A Motion Picture Event

Dec. 24 – The Lawsuits

Justin Baldoni arrives to the “It Ends With Us” premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on August 06, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by way of James Devaney/GC Images)

James Devaney/GC Images

Justin Baldoni and his publicists gained a defamation go well with on Christmas Eve 2024 from the Wayfarer Studios co-founder and previous PR corporate Jonesworks, and its proprietor Stephanie Jones. The submitting additionally names Wayfarer Studios and publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel for no longer best defamation but additionally breach of contract.

Nathan was once employed by way of Baldoni following the movie’s arrival in theaters. She and disaster PR guru Matthew Hiltzik labored with Johnny Depp right through the Pirates celebrity’s a success $50 million defamation motion towards ex-wife Amber Heard and the 2022 trial.

“Defendants Abel and Nathan secretly conspired for months to publicly and privately attack Jones and Jonesworks, to breach multiple contracts and induce contractual breaches, and to steal clients and business prospects,” proclaims an eight-claim grievance filed by way of the Quinn Emanuel represented PR boss this Christmas Eve.

RELATED: Fallout Continues For Justin Baldoni As Bart Johnson, Former Collaborators & More Support Blake Lively Amid ‘It Ends With Us’ Complaint

Lively then formally sued Baldoni and his PR staff at the closing day of 2024 for unspecified damages.

“As laid out in this Complaint, the Baldoni-Wayfarer-led public attack of Ms. Lively was the intended result of a carefully crafted, coordinated, and resourced retaliatory scheme to silence her, and others, from speaking out about the hostile environment that Mr. Baldoni and Mr. Heath created,” the 13-claim grievance states of the Jane the Virgin vet and his Wayfarer CEO Jamey Heath.

Dec. 31 – Baldoni Sues NYT for $250 Million

TODAY — Pictured: Justin Baldoni on Thursday, August 08, 2024

Baldoni and his publicists sued The New York Times for his or her tale about Lively’s claims of sexual harassment.

The 87-page libel grievance was once filed in LA Superior Court simply hours earlier than the top of 2024, accusing NYT reporters of being in league with Lively with a long December 21 article that “cherry-picked and altered communications stripped of necessary context and deliberately spliced to mislead.”

The four-claim submitting from Baldoni, Melissa Nathan, Jennifer Abel and others asserts “the Times’ complicity arises from its apparent endorsement of the criminal alteration of these text messages by Lively.”

RELATED: Justin Baldoni’s Voices Of Solidarity Award Rescinded In Wake Of Blake Lively’s Sexual Harassment & Smear Campaign Allegations

Lawyer Bryan Freedman’s go well with is going after Lively’s publicist Leslie Sloane for her previous associations with Harvey Weinstein, and it mentions Ryan Reynolds’ stern commentary to Baldoni and Wayfarer studios in an all-hands Jan. 4 assembly in addition to extra moments.

Lively’s staff briefly answered to the go well with, denouncing the ways at the back of it. On Feb. 3, Freedman advised a NYC federal courtroom the NYT go well with can be dropped and the Gray Lady added as a defendant to Baldoni’s greater lawsuit.

Jan. 7 – Lively’s Lawyers Accuse Baldoni’s Team of “Blame The Victim” Tactics

(L-R) Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni

Everett Collection

Lively’s criminal staff doubled down on their go well with by way of outlining “more attacks” of the actress by way of Baldoni in the course of the media.

“This is not a ‘feud’ arising from ‘creative differences; or a ‘he said/she said’ situation,” Lively’s Manatt, Phelps & Phillips lawyers and Willkie Farr & Gallagher attorneys stated. “As alleged in Ms. Lively’s complaint, and as we will prove in litigation, Wayfarer and its associates engaged in unlawful, retaliatory astroturfing against Ms. Lively for simply trying to protect herself and others on a film set. And their response to the lawsuit has been to launch more attacks against Ms. Lively since her filing.”

These statements have been made hours after Baldoni’s primary lawyer Bryan Freedman gave the impression on NewsNation taking swings on the New York Times.

Jan. 7 – Freedman Says ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Character Nicepool Was Based on Baldoni

Justin Baldoni smiles and wears a hair bun; Ryan Reynolds wears a hair bun as Nicepool in 'Deadpool & Wolverine'.

Justin Baldoni’s lawyer has accused Ryan Reynolds of taking a jab at his shopper with a personality in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’.

Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal/NBCU Photo Bank/Disney

Bryan Freedman accused Ryan Reynolds of creating amusing of Baldoni with the Deadpool & Wolverine personality Nicepool, which fanatics have speculated references Baldoni’s obvious pseudo-nice man personality. This was once additionally stated on The Megyn Kelly Show.

“What I make of that, is that if your wife is sexually harassed, you don’t make fun of Justin Baldoni,” stated Freedman. “There’s no question it relates to Justin. I mean, anybody that watched that hair bun — if somebody is seriously sexually harassed, you don’t make fun of it. It’s a serious issue.”

Jan. 8 – Baldoni’s Voice Message About Basement Viewing of IEWU Premiere Released

IT ENDS WITH US, director Justin Baldoni, on set, 2024. ph: Nicole Rivelli /© Sony Pictures Releasing /Courtesy Everett Collection

Bryan Freeman, Baldoni’s lawyer, additionally performed a voice message on The Megyn Kelly Show from Baldoni complaining about being despatched to the basement right through the It Ends With Us premiere in New York City.

Freedman stated within the interview that he deliberate to position “every single text message, every single document” within the public area. Freedman has repped Kelly up to now. Deadline has been not able to independently check or date the voice message.

Jan. 14 – Baldoni Letter to Disney About Deadpool & Wolverine Surfaces

Ryan Reynolds as Nicepool puts his hand on his chest in a still from 'Deadpool & Wolverine'; Justin Baldoni wears a man-bun and holds a microphone

Justin Baldoni’s lawyer says Ryan Reynolds took a jab at Justin Baldoni with ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ personality.

Disney/Arnold Turner/Getty Images for Wayfarer Studios

Baldoni despatched a letter to Disney CEO Bob Iger and Marvel boss Kevin Feige Jan. 7 asking them to “preserve evidence” foreseeing doable “commencement of litigation” towards celebrity within the purple go well with Ryan Reynolds in addition to Lively.

The five-page correspondence from Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman needs no rock, smartphone, contract, “Blackberry devices,” forms, or floppy disk left unturned. The forms additionally asks for “all documents and communications relating to complaints of sexual or other harassment asserted against Ryan Reynolds by any person.”

RELATED: Blake Lively Vs. Justin Baldoni Battle Heats Up Again As PR Chief Subpoenas Tech Companies, More Lawsuits Loom

Jan. 16 – Baldoni Directly Sues Lively and Reynolds for $400 Million

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds on the “It Ends With Us” New York Premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on August 06, 2024

Baldoni’s grievance filed Jan. 16 calls for $400,000,000 from Reynolds and Lively mentioning defamation, extortion and extra.

“This is a case about two of the most powerful stars in the world deploying their enormous power to steal an entire film right out of the hands of its director and production studio,” the 179-page submitting from Freedman and NYC’s Meister Seelig & Fein PLLC says of Reynolds and Lively. “Then, when Lively and Reynolds’ efforts failed to win them the acclaim they believed they so richly deserved, they turned their fury on their chosen scapegoat. Tolerating a year and a half of their behavior while remaining polite and professional at every turn offered Badoni and Wayfarer no protection.”

Just hours after the massive go well with was once filed, Lively and her criminal staff responded, describing the motion as “another chapter in the abuser playbook.”

“This is an age-old story: A woman speaks up with concrete evidence of sexual harassment and retaliation and the abuser attempts to turn the tables on the victim,” stated Lively’s Manatt, Phelps & Phillips lawyers and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP. “This is what experts call DARVO. Deny. Attack. Reverse Victim Offender.” 

RELATED: Justin Baldoni’s Lawyer Decries “Revoltingly False Sexual Allegations” From Blake Lively As Lawsuits Fly; Brands At Business Heart Of Dispute

Jan. 21 – Baldoni Releases BTS Footage from IEWU Film

L-R: Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in 'It Ends With Us'

From left: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni in ‘It Ends With Us’

Sony Pictures Releasing /Courtesy Everett Collection

Baldoni dropped behind-the-scenes photos from May 23, 2023 manufacturing at the film to refute Lively’s sexual harassment claims.

The clip covers the gradual dance scene between Lively’s personality and Baldoni’s, which the Gossip Girl actress cited as one in all a number of uncomfortable moments she skilled right through manufacturing at the movie.

“Both actors are clearly behaving well within the scope of the scene and with mutual respect and professionalism,” reads a name card added by way of Baldoni’s aspect.

Lively and her staff referred to as the transfer a “stunt” and emphasised that it backs up her proceedings.

Jan. 24 – Lively And Reynolds Double Down on Gag Order Request

(L-R) Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds attend the “It Ends With Us” New York Premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on August 06, 2024 in New York City.

“Requiring counsel to heed the ethical rules that bind them is not a gag order; it is a mechanism that would ensure the proceedings in this Court are not prejudiced by counsel’s conduct outside of the courtroom,” lawyer Esra Hudson argued for the couple in a letter to Judge Lewis J. Liman relating to Baldoni, his primary attorney Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios and others.

The gag order can be for “extrajudicial statements.”

Jan. 27 – Another Voice Message Surfaces, A Trial Looms

L-R: Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively in ‘It Ends With Us’

“I’m really sorry, I f*cked up,” Justin Baldoni advised Lively in a 2 a.m. voice message in April 2023 following his reaction to a rewritten scene at the movie. The scene itself, discussion between Lively’s Lily Bloom and Baldoni’s Ryle Kincaid, was once if truth be told, rewritten by way of Reynolds, which Lively printed right through press to advertise the movie.

“I will admit and apologize when I fail,” the Jane the Virgin alum added within the six-minute message, speaking in regards to the rooftop series. “I’m a very flawed man, as my wife will attest.”

A federal pass judgement on had, at the moment, decided on March 9, 2026 because the trial get started date for the sour showdown between the pair of actors.

RELATED: Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds Aim To Have Justin Baldoni’s $400M Defamation Suit Tossed Out

Jan. 30 – A Preliminary Hearing Is Set For Early February

Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds & Justin Baldoni; Manhattan Federal Court building

(L-R) Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Justin Baldoni; Manhattan Federal Court construction

Getty Images

A consolidation of one of the most fits is taking a look imaginable as a February 12 pretrial convention was once moved up by way of Judge Liman to February 3. This listening to had Lively and Reynolds groups operating to get Baldoni’s $400 million go well with disregarded, which has since passed off.

Lively, Reynolds and their criminal groups additionally referred to as for disciplinary motion for Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman for his “extrajudicial statements” made within the media towards the Gossip Girl actress. Judge Liman consolidated Baldoni’s $400 million motion and Lively’s New Year’s Eve lawsuit towards the Jane the Virgin actor. Not lengthy after, Baldoni’s supporting attorney Kevin Fritz wrote to the courtroom in regards to the objection to a deposition, or Freedman taking to Lively below oath.

“Counsel for Ms. Lively has made clear that Ms. Lively does not want Mr. Freedman to be the attorney who takes her deposition,” Fritz stated. “We are unaware of any situation that would warrant the deposed party to have a choice in which attorney takes her deposition. Parties to litigation simply do not have the right to dictate which of their opponents’ attorneys may or may not take their deposition or perform any other aspect of the opposing party’s case.”

Feb. 1 – Team Baldoni Establishes Website

From left: Colleen Hoover and director Justin Baldoni, on set of ‘It Ends With Us’

After threatening to release a web-based archive of all of the proof on Baldoni’s aspect, the Five Feet Apart director’s criminal staff went thru with the motion. The web site incorporates the primary amended grievance filed by way of Baldoni’s staff Friday Jan. 31 in the January 16 $400 million defamation and extortion go well with towards Lively and Ryan Reynolds. There may be a timeline of textual content messages, emails and extra conversation across the occasions within the It Ends With Us manufacturing and press saga.

The documentation starts Jan. 1, 2019 with an electronic mail to Colleen Hoover, who govt produced the movie, about her ebook on which the film is primarily based. It ends Jan. 29, 2024 inspecting the NYT reveal article.

Feb. 3 – Trial Start Date of March 2026 Threatened To Move Up

US actor Justin Baldoni’s lead suggest, Bryan Freedman, speaks to the clicking at US District Court after a pre-trial listening to in New York City

Getty

At the initial courtroom listening to on Feb. 3, a federal pass judgement on threatened to transport the March 2026 get started date of the trial between the IEWU costars up if the subject persevered to be “litigated in the press”.

RELATED: Blake Lively Vs. Justin Baldoni: Judge Threatens Moving Up March 2026 Trial If Lawyers Can’t Stop Matter Being “Litigated In The Press”

Judge Liman imposed the Empire State rule on each events, which means that neither aspect within the complicated fight is to mention the rest within the press that would affect a possible jury. Such has already been going on with feedback from all sides.

Feb. 4 – A Texas Exit For Lively’s Team Despite SXSW

ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR, US poster

Though Lively is headed to Austin, Texas for the 2025 SXSW Film Festival subsequent month for the premiere of Another Simple Favor, her attorneys gained’t be sporting out any litigation within the Lone Star state. Almost two weeks in the past, Lively’s criminal staff had filed forms there in Hays County “to take a pre-suit deposition of Jed Wallace,” however the request was once pulled by way of Austin company Haynes Boone LLP. A “notice of non-suit/dismissal” was once positioned within the Texas courtroom docket Feb. 4 over speaking to Wallace, Street Relations disaster control boss. The deposition would have wondered Wallace about what he did and didn’t do in an alleged on-line smear marketing campaign closing yr towards Lively. 

Wallace, who has described himself as a “hired gun” may end up vital within the trial, which is lately scheduled to happen beginning March 9, 2026 in New York City.

Deadline will proceed to replace this piece as extra information comes out across the worrying state of affairs.

Feb. 5 – Jed Wallace Files $7 Million Defamation Suit Against Blake Lively And Team

IT ENDS WITH US, Blake Lively, 2024. © Sony Pictures Releasing /Courtesy Everett Collection

Sony Pictures Releasing /Courtesy Everett Collection

Architect of the alleged smear marketing campaign geared toward Lively Jed Wallace introduced a $7 million defamation go well with towards the A Simple Favor actress. The attorney for the self-described “human crisis” navigator admitted Wednesday that the motion is according to Wallace’s most probably addition to the It Ends With Us actress’ ongoing criminal battles with Justin Baldoni, his corporate, his backers and his publicists.

Feb. 12 – Blake Lively & Ryen Reynolds Subpoena AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon

Lively and her husband despatched out a number of subpoenas to mobile carriers AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon in addition to alleged social media manipulator Jed Wallace on a hunt for actual “receipts.”

“Ms. Lively has initiated discovery that will expose the people, tactics, and methods that have worked to ‘destroy’ and ‘bury’ her reputation and family over the past year,” lawyers Esra Hudson and Michael Gottlieb stated Wednesday. “Subpoenas went out to the entities below,” the duo added of the telecoms, Walace, AOL, and Cloudflare, Inc. “We will now receive all of the “receipts” that, unsurprisingly, are nowhere to be discovered on Mr. Freedman’s site, and prefer Ms. Lively, the ones ‘receipts’ can have their day in courtroom.”

RELATED: Justin Baldoni’s Team Squabble With Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds’ Lawyers Over Subpoenas As Filing Deadline Approaches

Feb. 18 – Blake Lively Alleges Other Women Made Uncomfortable by way of Baldoni on IEWU Production

Blake Lively’s attorneys filed an amended grievance towards Justin Baldoni mentioning that the It Ends With Us celebrity and director made different ladies uncomfortable on set.

In a grievance 48 pages longer than the New Year’s Eve grievance Lively first filed, there are a minimum of two different ladies cited who allegedly suffered from the movements of Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios CEO Jamey Heath. The people’ names are ignored of the file for now.

This modification got here simply days after the couple attended the SNL50 anniversary three-hour particular, the place Reynolds alluded to their spotlighted criminal affairs in brief when Tina Fey and Amy Poehler requested how he was once doing.

RELATED: ‘SNL50’: Ryan Reynolds Brings Some Lively Vs. Baldoni To NBC Late-Night Shindig

Feb. 19 – Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds’ PR Chief Wants Out Of Legal Battle with Baldoni

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds‘ publicist Leslie Sloane needs herself and her corporate Vision PR dropped from the continuing feud between the fame couple and the IEWU director.

“The Wayfarer Parties dragged Leslie Sloane and Vision PR, Inc. into the instant litigation as a smoke and mirrors exercise to distract from their own sexual harassment and systematic retaliation,” asserts an accompanying memo to a movement to disregard Sloane and Vision PR from the newest model of Baldoni’s $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit filed as of late in federal courtroom.

Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Justin Baldoni

(L-R) Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Justin Baldoni

Getty

Feb. 25 – Blake Lively Accuses Justin Baldoni Of “Disregard & Disrespect” For Sexual Harassment Victims

Lively’s attorneys advised Judge Lewis J. Liman Tuesday in a letter that if truth be told “the travels of the mischaracterization embraced by the Opposition through this manufactured echo chamber, by itself, provides ample justification for a Protective Order that establishes adequate protections for third-party privacy interests.”

RELATED: ‘Another Simple Favor’ Trailer: Blake Lively Has More Up Her Sleeve In Italy-Set Amazon MGM Sequel

Those third-parties would possibly come with, however don’t seem to be restricted to, a minimum of two different ladies that Lively stated in her February 18 first amended grievance have been made “uncomfortable” by way of Baldoni’s habits right through the making of the movie in accordance with Colleen Hoover’s home violence-themed novel. While the duo’s names have been absent from the FAC, the paperwork assert the ladies intend to be witnesses within the trial, set for March 29, 2026, in New York City federal courtroom. Lively’s aspect needs to restrict who can have a look at what from the case to attorneys best as increasingly more proof and different subject material is amassed.

Feb. 28 – Blake Lively Hires Crisis PR Vet Nick Shapiro; Comes Out Victorious With Telecom Subpoenas

A federal pass judgement on in part denied a movement by way of the Bryan Freedman-repped Baldoni, his Wayfarer Studios, CEO, financier and publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel to squash subpoenas that Lively’s attorneys sought after to serve on AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and others.

“The Subpoenas must be quashed to the extent they seek the phone records of the Wayfarer Parties,” dominated Judge Lewis J. Liman. His combined ruling the closing Friday of Feb. supplied a silver lining for Lively, despite the fact that.

“Lively’s complaint already identifies many individuals who allegedly participated in a negative media campaign,” he stated. “She is permitted to use the tools of discovery to identify the contact information or telephone numbers for those individuals.” 

RELATED: Blake Lively Pays Tribute To ‘Gossip Girl’ Co-Star Michelle Trachtenberg: “She Was Electricity”

Feb. 28 – Blake Lively Agrees The New York Times Should Exit Justin Baldoni’s Legal War

“The Wayfarer Parties’ FAC tells a one-sided tale that has garnered plenty of headlines,” the New York Times declared in a submitting Feb. 28 asking to be got rid of from Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit. “But The Times does not belong in this dispute.”

Justin Baldoni, The New York Times and Blake Lively

Getty Images; The New York Times

March 4 – New York Times Granted Win In Clash

Judge Lewis J. Liman granted the NYT‘s request for stay of discovery as he weighed the company’s movement to be disregarded from a $400 million and extra case within the conflict between the It Ends With Us costars. This didn’t extricate The Gray Lady totally from the fight, nevertheless it approach Baldoni gained’t be going in the course of the corporate’s industry.

March 6 – Judge Liman Declares Battle a “Feud Between PR Firms”

Judge Lewis J. Liman’s commentary arrived forward of protective order listening to Thursday, March 6. The listening to was once performed nearly with Baldoni, Reynolds and SXSW-bound Lively no longer in obvious attendance. The March 6 consultation principally focused round how a lot invormation will have to be coated below the usual style protecting order.

RELATED: Which Colleen Hoover Books Are Becoming Movies? ‘Verity,’ ‘Reminders Of Him’ & ‘Regretting You’ Will Join ‘It Ends With Us’

March 7 – Baldoni Blames Lively’s Publicist Leslie Sloane for Making Him Scapegoat

Shortly after Liman’s declaration of the real nature of the feud, Baldoni presented a brand new barb to the continuing case by way of blaming Lively’s longtime publicist Leslie Sloane for making him the objective for the actress’ “woes.”

“As alleged in the Wayfarer Parties’ First Amended Complaint, the Sloane Parties played an active and integral role in a conspiracy to inflict harm on the Wayfarer Parties,” stated a March 6-filed memorandum of opposition from Baldoni, his Wayfarer Studios, professionals and his personal PR staff of Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel towards Vision PR founder Sloane’s movement to have herself and her company disregarded from the sprawling go well with.

March 13 – Liman Warns of “Risk of Disclosure” For Both Parties; Designates What Info Is For ‘Attorneys’ Eyes Only’

“These cases involve both business competitors and allegations of sexual harm. Discovery will necessarily include confidential and sensitive business and personal information. The risk of disclosure is great. Both the Moving Parties and the Wayfarer Parties have accused opposing parties of providing private, sensitive, or confidential information to the media for their own business and personal advantage in ways that cannot easily be traced. Several individuals and corporations on each side are in the business of public relations or media and have easy access to the press.”

This compounded Baldoni’s loss of ahead movement with the New York Times.

RELATED: Maika Monroe To Star In Universal’s Adaptation Of Colleen Hoover’s ‘Reminders Of Him’

“Today, the Court rejected the Wayfarer Parties’ objections and entered the protections needed to ensure the free flow of discovery material without any risk of witness intimidation or harm to any individual’s security,” a spokesperson for Lively advised Deadline after Judge Liman’s order hit the federal docket. “With this order in place, Ms. Lively will move forward in the discovery process to obtain even more of the evidence that will prove her claims in Court.”

Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

(L-R) Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

Getty

March 17 – Baldoni Doubles Down On Keeping NYT Involved

The actor’s March 14 memo referred to as the establishment “a pietistic bastion of the media establishment” that “has long presumed itself beyond accountability.”

“This dispute should be resolved by a jury at trial,” the wide-ranging March 14 memorandum of regulation in opposition from Baldoni, his Wayfarer Studios, CEO Jamey Health, financier Steve Sarowitz and publicists Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nathan retorts of the NYT‘s February 28-instigated try to be dropped from the subject lengthy earlier than the trial kicks off in March 2026.

RELATED: Everything We Know About Paramount’s ‘Regretting You’ Adaptation So Far

March 18 – Ryan Reynolds Moves For Dismissal, Points Out Holes In Baldoni’s Approach

“The entirety of Plaintiffs’ defamation claim appears to be based on two times that Mr. Reynolds allegedly called Mr. Baldoni a ‘predator,’” a memorandum of regulationfiled March 18 in federal courtroom by way of Reynolds’ lawyers proclaims, regarding an amended grievance by way of Baldoni and others previous this yr. “But, the FAC alleges no plausible facts that suggest Mr. Reynolds did not believe this comment to be true.”

The memo says Baldoni’s primary accusation is “namely that Mr. Reynolds and an unnamed executive at WME had a conversation during a movie premiere about Mr. Reynolds’ ‘deep disdain for Baldoni, suggesting the agency was working with a ‘sexual predator,’” regarding remarks allegedly made a Deadpool & Wolverine screening and in different places.

March 20 – Lively Brings California Law Into The Equation

“The Court should dismiss all claims against Ms. Lively with prejudice, deny leave to amend, and award Ms. Lively all relief sought,” declared a memorandum of regulation simply filed in federal courtroom in NYC at the side of Lively’s movement to disregard. Centering on a Golden State measure from 2023 that goals to safeguard accusers, and apparently undercut Baldoni, Lively’s attorneys assert “the law prohibits weaponizing defamation lawsuits, like this one, to retaliate against individuals who have filed legal claims or have publicly spoken out about sexual harassment and retaliation.”

March 21 – Baldoni’s Lawyer Points Barbs At Lively’s “Self-Concocted Disaster” And “Abhorrent Examples of Abusing Our Legal System”

Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni and Ryan Reynolds

Everett Collection

Justin Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman attacked Lively’s movement to disregard herself from the difficult criminal state of affairs after the actress joined her Deadpool-starring husband and PR boss Leslie Sloane in shifting to extricate themselves from Baldoni’s $400 defamation and extortion grievance.

April 3 – Baldoni Insists That Ryan Reynolds Wanted to Gain Power Over ‘It Ends With Us’ Project and Aimed to “Exaggerate Benign Interactions” Between Baldoni And Lively

In an April Fool’s Day opposition submitting, director Baldoni, his Wayfarer Studios, exec and publicists accused Ryan Reynolds of “a coordinated effort to exaggerate benign interactions in service of a false narrative that Lively had been sexually harassed,” doing so that you can “instill terror in the Wayfarer Parties and leverage it to accumulate power.”

RELATED: “They F*cked Up”: Joe Rogan Chimes In On Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds’ Battle With Justin Baldoni

April 10 – Stephanie Jones Rebuts Baldoni’s “Specious Allegations”

Stephanie Jones, Baldoni’s former publicist, refuted his claims that she leaked confidential data so that you could defame Blake Lively. April 10 filings from Jones’ lawyers stated she produced the delicate subject material according to a subpoena, no longer as a voluntary act of subterfuge. Text messages from fundamental figures have been incorporated on this data.

Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds in NYC on April 29, 2025.

Getty

April 21 – Justin Baldoni Slams Lively for “Sham Lawsuit”; Lively’s Team Says “Nothing To Hide” As A Secret Lawsuit From Lively Surfaces

A subpoena-seeking lawsuit from Lively, earlier unrevealed till mid-April and filed Sept. 27, objectives 10 unnamed “Does” with plaintiff “Vanzan,” a Delaware corporate shaped in 2010 with Lively as CEO. Deadline broke the unique in this building.

“The DOE Defendants have undertaken direct efforts to contravene these agreements and instead have participated, and may continue to participate, in efforts to harm Plaintiff, including by: failing to act in Plaintiff’s best interests, taking actions to their personal benefit at Plaintiff’s expense, failing to freely communicate with Plaintiff regarding matters that impact Plaintiff’s business and reputation, and disclosing to third parties and failing to keep strictly confidential Plaintiff’s confidential and/or private information,” reads the grievance from Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, one of the vital corporations representing Lively, Reynolds and their PR leader Leslie Sloane within the fits towards Baldoni and his internal circle.

April 24 – Jones’ Lawyer Kristin Tahler Pokes At Baldoni Team’s “Empty Gusto”; Secret Subpeona-Seeking Suit Slammed By Baldoni’s Team

“Reversing course, dropping previously touted claims, presenting zero new evidence, and putting out the world’s longest and most confusing statement – what a desperate ploy by a team who tonight all but admits they’re in trouble,” Tahler advised Deadline April 24. “Behind their empty gusto you’ll find not even an attempt to defend the misdeeds laid bare by the evidence. Quite telling.”

RELATED: Disney & Marvel Don’t Want To Play Nicepool With Justin Baldoni Over ‘Deadpool’ In Blake Lively Battle

This was once according to a commentary from Baldoni attorney Bryan Freedman that “We are just starting to scratch the surface of a much broader and more insidious scheme. To be clear, Jones and Jonesworks are equally implicated in this misconduct.”

May 8 – Justin Baldoni’s Ex-Publicist Calls Actor’s Strategy “Whack-A-Mole” Tactics; Blake Lively Intends to Testify in Next Year’s Trial

A May 8 submitting to disregard some amended counterclaims made by way of Baldoni, Wayfarer professionals and publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, Jones and her staff referred to as out an alleged “effort to chill disclosure, shift blame, and distance itself from its own conduct.”

Attorneys for Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds asserted that the Another Simple Favor celebrity will seem in courtroom.

“This is a case about what happened to Blake Lively when she raised claims of sexual harassment on the set and the retaliation that followed,” stated lawyers Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson in a commentary to Deadline. “Of course she will testify.”

RELATED: Blake Lively Says The Past Year Has Brought “The Highest Of Highs & The Lowest Of Lows”

It is up to now unclear whether or not Reynolds may even testify.

Taylor Swift celebrates her birthday with Blake Lively on December 13, 2023 in NYC

Taylor Swift celebrates her birthday with Blake Lively on December 13, 2023 in NYC

Getty Images

May 9 – Taylor Swift Subpoenaed in Longstanding Legal Battle, Asked To Divulge What Exactly She Knows About What Happened Behind the Scenes of the Film

Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman subpoenaed Taylor Swift, longtime buddy of Blake Lively, May 9.

In reaction, a spokesperson for Lively stated that day, ““Mr Baldoni, Mr Sarowitz, and team continue to turn a case of sexual harassment and retaliation into entertainment for the tabloids, going as far as suggesting that they sell tickets to a concert venue – Madison Square Garden – to witness Ms. Lively’s deposition, to subpoenaing Taylor Swift, a woman who has given a voice to millions the world over.”

Swift’s music “my tears ricochet,” from her first wonder pandemic album folklore was once utilized in It Ends With Us and teased within the movie’s trailer.

RELATED: ‘Another Simple Favor’ Director Paul Feig Slams “Boring” Outrage Against Blake Lively

“This is a very serious legal matter, not Barnum & Bailey’s Circus. The defendants continue to publicly intimidate, bully, shame and attack women’s rights and reputations. Including in the past month seeking to strike down for all, a powerful California victims’ rights law, calling it ‘unconstitutional.’ The disturbing actions by a billionaire, men who made their careers as ‘female allies’ and their team continue to show their true colors.”

(L-R) Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Taylor Swift  & Justin Baldoni

(L-R) Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Taylor Swift & Justin Baldoni

Getty

May 14 – Baldoni’s Team Claims Lively Blackmailed Taylor Swift

In a letter to the federal pass judgement on overseeing the proceedings, he Jane the Virgin alum’s primary attorney accused Lively of threatening to disgrace her singer/songwriter buddy until Swift publicly presented robust fortify on Lively’s aspect within the case. Lively and Reynolds’ attorney Micheal Gottieb referred to as the declare “completely false.”

May 15 – Judge Grants Lively’s Request To Toss “Improper” Taylor Swift Bullying Claims

After Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman reiterated claims that Swift’s non-public textual content messages can be outed if she didn’t publicly fortify Lively within the ongoing criminal fight, the pass judgement on overseeing the case tossed the claims out.

RELATED: More Than A Simple Favor: Judge Grants Blake Lively’s Request To Have “Improper” Taylor Swift Bullying Claims Tossed Out

May 19 – Blake Lively Decries Baldoni’s HR Probe Of Her Sexual Harassment Claims

Lively attorney Esra Hudson despatched a letter to Judge Lewis J. Liman Monday in search of “documents and witness recordings concerning Wayfarer’s purported ‘neutral’ workplace investigation into Ms. Lively’s sexual harassment and retaliation claims (the ‘Investigation’).” The Manett lawyer added: “Wayfarer is withholding such documents and recordings, claiming (at least for now) attorney-client privilege and work product.”

Insisting the “so-called ‘Investigation’ is a disingenuous charade,” Hudson defined that “the Investigation Materials are highly relevant, are necessary for Ms. Lively and the Court to ensure that witness engagement has been proper, and have been put at issue by Wayfarer. They must be produced.”  

Blake Lively and Taylor Swift attend a personal celebration at Lucalli Pizza eating place in Brooklyn on January 10, 2024 in New York City

Robert Kamau/GC Images

May 22: Taylor Swift Subpoena Dropped

Baldoni withdrew the forms in search of what information Taylor Swift knew in regards to the behind-the-scenes It Ends With Us feud between the director and celebrity Blake Lively.

RELATED: Taylor Swift Teases “Look What You Made Me Do (Taylor’s Version)” In Penultimate Episode Of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’




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