Newly unsealed court documents in Blake Lively’s legal battle against Justin Baldoni paint a damning picture of what multiple women describe as toxic working conditions on the set of It Ends With Us.
The explosive filings, released just two days before a critical hearing, reveal texts and depositions from numerous cast and crew members alleging inappropriate behavior and a hostile environment.
Among the most striking revelations: actress Jenny Slate described the production as “a really gross and disturbing shoot” in a 2023 text message now part of the court record.
The documents offer an unprecedented look inside what Lively alleges was a pattern of sexual harassment and subsequent retaliation by Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios.
A Pattern of Disturbing Behavior Emerges
The thousands of pages of newly public documents include communications from an impressive roster of witnesses who worked on or around the Sony-distributed film.
Slate didn’t hold back in her assessment of the film’s director and star, calling Baldoni “the biggest clown and the most intense narcissist” in a June 4, 2023 text message. Her characterization echoes concerns raised by multiple other women involved with the production.
The filings include statements and messages from It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover, screenwriter Christy Hall, actress Isabela Ferrer, and even Baldoni’s former podcast co-host Liz Plank.
Perhaps most notably, Taylor Swift allegedly called Baldoni a “bitch” in a 2024 text exchange, while Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds also make appearances in the documentation.
Lively’s Account of On-Set Harassment
According to Lively’s testimony within the documents, she repeatedly raised concerns about inappropriate conduct during filming.
I did my best to compartmentalize and get through it – I learned that, at several points after I raised my concerns about their inappropriate conduct, both Baldoni and Heath went out of their way to vilify me.
The actress claims that rather than addressing her complaints, Baldoni and Wayfarer CEO Jamey Heath launched what she describes as a coordinated smear campaign against her.
Lively’s original complaint, filed with the California Civil Rights Department on December 20, 2024, alleged repeated harassment on set and subsequent retaliation designed to damage her reputation before she could speak publicly about her experiences.
The Edit That Changed Everything
One contentious issue clarified in Tuesday’s filings involves who controlled the final cut of the film.
Baldoni and Wayfarer have long suggested Lively inappropriately seized control of editing. The new documents tell a different story entirely.
According to Lively’s December 2025 declaration, Sony Pictures actively encouraged her to create a separate edit of the film. Studio executive Andrea Giannetti served as the liaison for this process.
In or around late April 2024, at Sony’s suggestion and with Sony’s full support and encouragement, I was provided access to create a separate edit (while Wayfarer still had their own edit occurring in California), in order to effectuate Sony’s cut of the Film.
Lively’s version ultimately became what audiences saw when the film released in August 2024, turning into what she describes as “an historically successful summer blockbuster.”
Why Lively Took Control
The actress firmly disputes any characterization that she sought control for personal or egotistical reasons.
Her involvement stemmed from legitimate concerns about the work environment combined with pressure from Sony and Wayfarer to meet an accelerated release schedule.
My involvement in the edit arose because of these concerns combined with Sony and Wayfarer’s pressure to locked down an accelerated release date, not because I wanted or sought ‘control.’
Lively emphasized that as the face of the film’s marketing campaign, she needed to feel comfortable standing behind the final product. She received no additional compensation for her editing work and never requested producer credit.
Interestingly, the documents reveal that even Sony executive Giannetti expressed frustration with the situation, reportedly calling Lively a “f*cking terrorist” to Wayfarer’s Heath over the actress’s threats to leave the project entirely.
A “Boys’ Club” Culture
The collective testimony paints what Lively’s legal team describes as a “puerile boys’ club” atmosphere led by Baldoni.
Multiple women who worked with or around Baldoni shared remarkably consistent accounts of problematic behavior. Claire Ayoub, who directed the Wayfarer-produced film Empire Waist, is among those whose testimony appears in the filings.
The pattern of similar complaints from independent sources strengthens Lively’s case that this wasn’t an isolated incident or personality conflict, but rather a systemic issue within Baldoni’s production environment.
The Stakes and What Comes Next
Lively is seeking approximately $500 million in total damages for harm to her reputation, family, and business interests.
Baldoni filed a $400 million countersuit that was subsequently dismissed last year. The case is scheduled for trial in May 2025 unless the parties reach a settlement during court-ordered mediation talks next month.
The summary judgment hearing taking place this week will determine how many of Lively’s claims actually proceed to trial.
Lively’s attorney Sigrid McCawley expressed confidence in their position following Tuesday’s document release, stating the materials show “the consistent reaction numerous women, cast, crew, executives, partners, co-host and even his own PR team had working with Justin Baldoni.”
Representatives for Baldoni, co-defendants Mellisa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, and Wayfarer Studios declined to comment on the newly unsealed filings. The silence suggests the defense may be regrouping in response to the breadth of corroborating testimony now public.
What remains clear is that this case has evolved far beyond a simple he-said-she-said dispute. The sheer volume of supporting voices from respected industry figures transforms Lively’s allegations into something much harder to dismiss as mere personal grievance.
Whether these revelations prove decisive in court remains to be seen, but they’ve already reshaped public understanding of what allegedly transpired behind the scenes of It Ends With Us.