Newly released court documents from the ongoing legal battle surrounding the film It Ends With Us have unveiled a series of explosive private text messages and deposition transcripts, featuring damning statements from actor Jenny Slate. The revelations come as part of a high-profile lawsuit filed by lead actress Blake Lively, which is currently making its way through the legal system.
Co-star's Scathing Critique of Production
In the disclosed materials, Jenny Slate, who appears as a co-star in the romantic drama, did not hold back in her criticism of the production environment. She described the overall atmosphere on set as 'really gross and disturbing', painting a picture of a deeply troubled filming process. Her private communications and sworn testimony provide a rare, unfiltered glimpse behind the scenes of a major Hollywood project.
Allegations Against Director Justin Baldoni
Slate's texts and deposition transcripts contain particularly harsh characterisations of director Justin Baldoni. She labelled him a 'clown,' 'narcissist,' and 'fraud', indicating a severe breakdown in professional relations. Furthermore, Slate alleged that Baldoni made an inappropriate comment about her physical appearance while on set, an incident she claims contributed to the toxic environment.
The actor stated that both she and Blake Lively raised formal complaints about these issues directly with the film's studio, suggesting their concerns were shared and serious enough to warrant official intervention. This detail underscores the potential scale of the alleged misconduct during production.
Blake Lively's $500 Million Lawsuit
These revelations emerge within the context of Blake Lively's substantial lawsuit against Justin Baldoni and the film's producers. Lively is suing for alleged sexual harassment and what her legal team describes as a concerted campaign to 'destroy' her professional reputation. The actress is seeking approximately $500 million in damages, a figure that highlights the severity of the claims and their potential impact on her career.
Legal Proceedings and Counterclaims
Justin Baldoni has consistently and categorically denied all allegations made against him. In a previous legal manoeuvre, Baldoni launched a countersuit, which was ultimately dismissed by the court last year. With that avenue closed, the primary case is now proceeding towards a potential trial.
The legal battle is currently scheduled for a court trial in May, unless the involved parties can reach an out-of-court settlement before that date. The disclosure of these private texts and transcripts is likely to influence both the settlement negotiations and the courtroom strategy, should the case proceed to trial.
The public release of such candid private communications from a film set is relatively uncommon and adds a significant layer of personal testimony to the formal legal allegations. It provides the public and the legal system with direct insight into the actors' contemporaneous perceptions of the events in question.
