Intrigued by the controversy involving Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, and Taylor Swift during the making of It Ends With Us? Their professional relationship has been marked by creative clashes, high-profile legal battles, and the influence of Hollywood stars like Ryan Reynolds and Swift.

Here’s a breakdown of the tensions, the lawsuits, and how these challenges have shaped one of the year’s most talked-about film productions.

Justin Baldoni says ‘Ryan and Taylor’ pressured him

Justin Baldoni, director and actor in It Ends With Us, filed a $400 million lawsuit on January 16, 2025, against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist.

The lawsuit alleges Ryan Reynolds and Taylor Swift pressured Justin Baldoni to accept Blake Lively’s rewrites for a pivotal rooftop scene in the film. Baldoni claims their influence was used to persuade him, with Lively referring to them as her “Dance Moms level stage moms” in text messages. (via PEOPLE)

According to the complaint, Lively suggested a rewrite during pre-production that Baldoni described as “dramatically different” from the original script. After his mild resistance, Lively allegedly went silent for days. She later sent a message saying his reaction “didn’t feel great for me—or for Reynolds and [Swift].” In a text exchange, Lively likened herself to Game of Thrones’s Khaleesi and called Reynolds and Swift her “dragons” who strongly supported her vision.

The lawsuit follows Lively’s December 20, 2024, complaint accusing Baldoni of fostering a hostile work environment. She alleged incidents of unprofessional behavior, including unexpected improvisation in intimate scenes without prior discussion or an intimacy coordinator. Lively claimed these actions caused her “grief, fear, trauma, and extreme anxiety.”

In a related move, Baldoni filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The New York Times on December 31, 2024. He claimed the publication manipulated evidence to mislead readers. The newspaper defended its reporting, stating it was accurate and thorough.

The legal disputes highlight growing tensions among the film’s key players. Both sides allege serious professional and personal grievances. The involvement of high-profile celebrities like Taylor Swift and Ryan Reynolds adds complexity to the situation.