Explosive Text Messages Surface in Blake Lively's Legal Battle Against Director
In a dramatic development within the entertainment industry's legal landscape, newly unsealed text messages have revealed blistering criticism from actress Blake Lively and her co-star Brandon Sklenar directed at their director and fellow cast member Justin Baldoni. These private exchanges have been submitted as crucial evidence in court, shedding stark light on the allegations that have rocked the production of the film It Ends With Us.
Scathing Private Exchange Details On-Set Tensions
The text message conversation, initially focusing on television work before turning to their shared experiences during filming, portrays a deeply fractured working relationship. According to court documents, Lively alleges that Baldoni entered the editing bay without authorisation to view her cut of the film after she had completed her own edit. In the exchange, Lively writes bluntly, 'He’s bat sh**', while Sklenar comments that Baldoni is 'definitely scrambling' and 'totally f****** himself for any future work'.
Lively's response suggests she possesses even more damaging information, texting 'Oh you don’t know the first of it' before unleashing further claims. She elaborates in subsequent messages, stating she would have continued allowing Baldoni to take credit for her work, which would have handed him a successful career. 'He would’ve been f***** on his next job, but he at least would have been a big success,' she texted, adding that she had been protecting the situation from becoming public to focus on her work.
Allegations of Contradictory Behaviour and Professional Misconduct
The conversation delves deeper into specific on-set incidents, with Lively recalling a moment when Baldoni allegedly leaned in to tell Sklenar he had something to say but stopped himself, warning he would 'probably get cancelled' and remarking that 'you can’t say anything on this set anymore'. Sklenar responds that he vaguely remembers the exchange but cannot recall whether Baldoni ever explained his meaning.
Lively characterises Baldoni's conduct as frequently attempting to pull others into his 'messiness', while Sklenar expresses bafflement at what he views as Baldoni's lack of foresight, particularly given his public persona cultivated through TED-style talks, podcasts, and books. Lively responds that this contrast 'makes perfect sense' to her, alleging Baldoni was 'running from something gnarly' while presenting a polished public image.
Wider Cast Concerns and Additional Testimonies Emerge
These newly revealed messages follow the release of other texts attributed to co-star Jenny Slate, who also described negative experiences working on the film. In messages to a confidante, Slate characterised the shoot as 'really gross and disturbing' and criticised both Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath as 'truly unfit'. During a deposition in September 2025, Slate's messages were examined as part of the ongoing legal dispute.
Slate expressed particular concern for Lively, writing 'I know Blake is experiencing that on a much more serious level'. She questioned Baldoni's public image, stating she was surprised he had delivered a TED Talk given his on-set behaviour, which she described as worse than 'most of the bros I’ve encountered'. Slate rejected what she termed his 'male feminist' image, calling him 'a false ally' and expressing discomfort about participating in promotional activities alongside him.
Background of the Protracted Legal Battle
The legal confrontation between Lively and Baldoni has been unfolding for over a year, with Lively filing her lawsuit in December 2024. She accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment, retaliatory conduct, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, including claims of body shaming and attempts to damage her professional reputation. Her suit also names several of Baldoni's collaborators, including his company Wayfarer Studios, its CEO, financial backers, and public relations personnel.
Baldoni previously sought substantial damages from The New York Times over a report he claimed was defamatory, later incorporating it into a larger lawsuit filed in January 2025. That case named Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist, though it was dismissed in June. All parties involved have consistently denied the allegations made against them, setting the stage for a complex and highly publicised legal resolution.
The emergence of these private text messages represents a significant escalation in the evidentiary phase of the case, providing unprecedented insight into the interpersonal dynamics and professional conflicts that allegedly plagued the production. As the legal proceedings continue, the entertainment industry watches closely, with potential implications for workplace standards and accountability in film production.
