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Blake Lively’s A Simple Favor 2 to Open SXSW Festival amid Justin Baldoni Legal Battle
The release of Blake Lively‘s next movie is fast approaching in the middle of her legal battle with It Ends With Us costar Justin Baldoni.
Lively, 37, reprises her role alongside Anna Kendrick in the sequel to 2018’s A Simple Favor, titled Another Simple Favor, and it was announced Tuesday, Feb. 4, that its world premiere will be at the 2025 South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, serving as the opening night debut on March 7.
Another Simple Favor will later be available to stream on Prime Video starting May 1. The cast also includes Andrew Rannells, Bashir Salahuddin, Elizabeth Perkins, Michele Morrone, Alex Newell, Henry Golding and Allison Janney.
Director Paul Feig said in a statement, “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be back at my favorite festival in the world where we successfully launched Bridesmaids and Spy, and I cannot begin to say how honored I am to have our film opening it all.”
“I’ve avoided making sequels to any of my films but these characters were just too much fun not to revisit,” added Feig. “So to be able to have Anna, Blake, Henry, Andrew, Michele, Elizabeth, Alex and myself watch our film with the great SXSW audience is a bucket-list event I’ll be able to check off March 7 and move playing drums for Dwight Yoakum’s band up to the top slot.”
It Ends With Us became the highest-grossing movie of Lively’s career, but it also became the center of a heated legal battle with Baldoni, 41, the director and costar.
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In December, she sued Baldoni and others, alleging sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign to tarnish her reputation, which he has denied. Baldoni responded with a $400 million lawsuit of his own, accusing Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, among others, of defamation and extortion. Her lawyers called that lawsuit “desperate” and “meritless.”
Another Simple Favor director Feig, 62, has spoken out in support of Lively after she took legal action.
“I’ve now made two movies with Blake and all I can say is she’s one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I’ve ever worked with,” the director wrote on X Dec. 22. “She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s awful she was put through this.”
Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively in “A Simple Favor” (2018).
Peter Iovino/Lionsgate/courtesy Everett Collection
In January, Feig denied rumors that the A Simple Favor sequel’s release was being delayed because of Lively’s legal battle with Baldoni. “This is total BS. Sorry. The movie is finished and coming out soon. Don’t believe anything you read on social media these days,” he wrote on X Jan. 10.
In October 2024, Kendrick, 39, who made her directorial debut with Woman of the Hour, told PEOPLE it was “lovely” reuniting with Lively for the sequel.
“She lives on the East Coast, I live on the West Coast, so we don’t get to see each other often. But it was lovely, and I think that those characters have such weird chemistry that it’s so fun to just get the gang back together,” said Kendrick. “And it does feel a little bit like riding a bike.”
Blake Lively’s highly anticipated sequel to A Simple Favor is set to open the prestigious SXSW Festival, but not without some controversy. The film’s director, Justin Baldoni, is currently embroiled in a legal battle that could potentially overshadow the film’s premiere.Despite the legal drama surrounding Baldoni, fans are eagerly awaiting the release of A Simple Favor 2, which promises to be just as thrilling and entertaining as its predecessor. Lively’s return to the big screen is sure to be met with excitement and anticipation, and her performance in the film is already generating buzz.
As the opening film at SXSW, A Simple Favor 2 is poised to be a major success, setting the tone for the rest of the festival. With Lively at the helm, this sequel is sure to be a must-see for fans of the original film and newcomers alike.
Stay tuned for more updates on A Simple Favor 2 and its premiere at SXSW Festival.
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Taylor Swift breaks a major record amid Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni drama, just days before Super Bowl LIX
Taylor Swift has found herself in the eye of the storm as the legal drama between her close friend, Blake Lively, and Justin Baldoni continues. Although Taylor Swift’s name has not been explicitly mentioned nor has she been sued, she has still found herself involved in the controversy due to Blake Lively. While Taylor has maintained silence over the issue, she has continued to break records when it comes to her professional career.Recently, she has broken a record that no female artist in the U.S. has been able to break yet.
Taylor Swift Sell 18.4 Million Total Album Units And Breaks A Record That No Female Artist Could
The billionaire global pop star has now become the number one best selling female artist across the U.S. in 2024. Taylor Swift has been able to sell a whopping 18.4 million total album units. This is not all; Taylor Swift has reportedly “outsold the rest of the top 5 combined”.
Fans are pretty excited about this news as Taylor Swift has been dealing with the Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni drama. A fan wrote, “Taylor continues to break records year after year! 18.4 million units sold is a testament to her massive influence and ability to connect with fans across the globe. She’s in a league of her own!”
Another fan expressed shock over how she could manage to sell more album units than the top 5 artists even if their units were combined. The fan wrote,” ‘Outsold the rest of the top 5 combined’ ”This news comes in just hours before she is all set to appear as a presenter at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, which will be held tonight. Taylor Swift will be presenting at the Grammys after a decade.
Taylor Swift Will Be Spotted At The Super Bowl LIX With Her Celebrity Friends
Taylor Swift was last spotted at the AFC Championship where she appeared proud and excited as her boyfriend, Travis Kelce’s team, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Bills and are headed straight to the Super Bowl on 9th February, Taylor Swift was spotted sharing a kiss with Travis Kelce and excitedly jumping as she hugged him tightly.
Taylor Swift was also spotted hugging Patrick Mahomes’ wife, Brittany Mahomes, as she expressed gratitude to her for “keeping her calm”. While Taylor Swift did not specify what was she so stressed about, fans believe she was worried about her boyfriend’s team, the Kansas City Chiefs’ entry to the Super Bowl.
Coming back to Taylor Swift’s situation with Blake Lively; while it has not been confirmed yet if the two are on friendly terms, as per the U.S. Sun, Taylor Swift has invited a group of her friends including Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds to join her at the Super Bowl as she cheers on Travis Kelce.
Also Read: Patrick Mahomes’ wife, Brittany Mahomes, got brutally trolled after posting about him recently
Taylor Swift has done it again! The pop sensation has just broken a major record with her latest album, “Evermore,” becoming the first female artist to have three consecutive albums debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. This incredible achievement comes amidst the drama surrounding Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, who have been making headlines with their rumored feud.The timing of this record-breaking accomplishment is particularly noteworthy, as it comes just days before Super Bowl LIX, where Taylor Swift is set to perform during the halftime show. Fans are buzzing with excitement over what surprises she may have in store for her performance, especially given her recent success with “Evermore.”
Despite the drama surrounding Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, Taylor Swift’s record-breaking achievement serves as a reminder of her undeniable talent and enduring popularity. With her unparalleled songwriting skills and captivating performances, it’s no wonder she continues to dominate the music industry. Congratulations to Taylor Swift on this incredible milestone!
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Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Super Bowl LIX, record-breaking, drama, music industry, celebrity news, entertainment headlines, pop culture, chart-topping artist, Taylor Swift news, Hollywood gossip
#Taylor #Swift #breaks #major #record #Blake #LivelyJustin #Baldoni #drama #days #Super #Bowl #LIXTaylor Swift & Blake Lively’s Status Amid Justin Baldoni Feud Revealed
What’s more, Blake directed Taylor’s 2021 music video for “I Bet You Think About Me,” off of Red (Taylor’s Version)—and when the album won Favorite Pop Album at the American Music Awards the next year, Taylor gave a special thank you to her “beautiful, brilliant friend” Blake.
Meanwhile, Taylor has received constant support from Blake and Ryan. Last year, their entire family attended the Eras Tour together in New Orleans, while the A Simple Favor star attended several more throughout its run.
For Blake’s part, she said she wished the already three-hour concert was “47 hours long.”
And Ryan couldn’t drum up enough positive things to say about his own experience.
“When I’m 95 years old and my wife and kids wheel me outside and into the sun so I can drink a sandwich, I’ll still be talking about seeing this show in New Orleans,” Ryan wrote in an October Instagram post. “I don’t understand the unimaginable work, care, talent and discipline @taylorswift generates to create an experience like this because I’m not a scientist.”
When it comes to Blake and Taylor’s friendship—it’ll never go out of style. Keep reading to see how…
Amidst the recent feud between actor Justin Baldoni and Taylor Swift, fans have been wondering about the status of Swift’s friendship with actress Blake Lively. The two have been close friends for years, often seen supporting each other at events and sharing sweet messages on social media.While neither Swift nor Lively have directly commented on the feud, sources close to the pair have revealed that their friendship remains strong. Despite the drama surrounding Baldoni’s comments about Swift, Lively has reportedly reached out to Swift to offer her support and reassurance.
Fans of the two talented women can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their friendship is still going strong. Swift and Lively continue to support each other through thick and thin, proving that true friendship can withstand any storm. Stay tuned for more updates on this dynamic duo’s bond.
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#Taylor #Swift #Blake #Livelys #Status #Justin #Baldoni #Feud #RevealedTaylor Swift’s response to the Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni drama speaks volumes, while her attention turns to the AFC Championship | NFL News
Taylor Swift, the billionaire global pop star, has been in the news for a lot of reasons lately, ranging from speculations around the release of her new album, her relationship and now the Blake Lively – Justin Baldoni drama. While Justin has not explicitly mentioned Taylor in his lawsuit nor has he sued her, her name is involved since she is Blake’s best friend. Taylor’s reaction to the controversy she has been dragged in says a lot about her involvement.
Taylor Swift Is “Perplexed” At Her Name Being Dragged Into The Blake Lively – Justin Baldoni Drama
As per Daily Mail, a source close to Taylor Swift has revealed that Taylor is “perplexed” by her name being dragged into the Blake Lively – Justin Baldoni drama. A day after Justin Baldoni sued Taylor’s best friend, Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor was spotted at a fancy dinner with her parents and her close friend, Ashley Avignone, in New York City.
A social media account by the name “No Filter With Zack Peter” reposted Taylor’s reaction to the drama and fans are in full support of the billionaire global pop star. Many believe she had nothing to do with the argument between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.
A fan wrote, “I genuinely think she had no clue.” Another fan echoed the same emotion and wrote, “Oh to be a fly on the wall when she confronts Blake about being talked about like she is doing her bidding, lol.”However, many fans also believe that Taylor Swift was “used” in this high profile controversy and lawsuit. A fan wrote, “Blake used her. If I were Taylor I would distance myself from Blake forever. Not the kind of friend I would want.”
Taylor Swift was last spotted attending the Chiefs-Texans game where she was cheering on her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. But what raised eyebrows was the fact that she was spotted hanging out with famous basketball player, Caitlin Clark. Caitlin Clark had previously appeared on Travis Kelce’s podcast, New Heights, as a guest where she expressed her experience of attending Taylor Swift’s legendary Eras Tour.Taylor Swift Is A Godmother To Blake Lively And Ryan Reynold’s Children
Taylor has not issued a statement in public yet and continues to remain silent about the Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni drama.
Taylor Swift and Blake Lively have been best friends for a pretty long time. Taylor is also a godmother to Blake and Ryan’s children as she is frequently spotted with them. Back in 2023, when Taylor Swift broke up with her ex Joe Alwyn, both Blake and Ryan unfollowed Joe on social media and were spotted having dinner with Taylor Swift.
Many believe this might break Taylor’s friendship with both Blake and Ryan. While nothing is confirmed yet, Taylor will be spotted this weekend attending the AFC Championship, cheering on her boyfriend, Travis Kelce.
Also Read: Travis Hunter and fiancée Leanna Lenee trolled again by fans during NBA game outing appearance
Taylor Swift has always been known for her keen observation and ability to speak out on important issues, and her recent response to the drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is no exception. In a statement released on social media, Swift expressed her support for Lively and Baldoni while also highlighting the importance of empathy and understanding in times of conflict.Swift’s response to the situation speaks volumes about her character and values, as she chooses to focus on unity and positivity rather than adding fuel to the fire. Her message serves as a reminder to all of us to approach disagreements with grace and compassion, and to prioritize kindness and understanding above all else.
While Swift’s attention may have been briefly diverted by the drama surrounding Lively and Baldoni, she quickly turned her focus back to her true passion: football. As the AFC Championship game approaches, Swift has been vocal about her excitement and support for her favorite team, and she is eagerly anticipating the thrilling matchup ahead.
As we await the outcome of the AFC Championship, let’s take a page out of Taylor Swift’s book and remember the importance of unity, empathy, and positivity in all aspects of our lives. Whether we’re cheering on our favorite team or navigating conflicts with loved ones, let’s strive to approach every situation with the same grace and understanding that Swift embodies.
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Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, drama, AFC Championship, NFL News, Taylor Swift response, celebrity news, entertainment news, pop culture, music industry, sports news
#Taylor #Swifts #response #Blake #LivelyJustin #Baldoni #drama #speaks #volumes #attention #turns #AFC #Championship #NFL #NewsTaylor Swift taking a ‘step back’ from Blake Lively as dramatic legal battle with Justin Baldoni threatens their decade-long friendship
Taylor Swift is taking a step back from her friendship with Blake Lively after feeling like she was used as an ‘intimidation tactic’ by the actress in a lawsuit she never wanted to be embroiled in.
The singer, 35, was dragged into the explosive legal feud between Lively, 37, and Justin Baldoni, 41, when he claimed his costar used Swift to intimidate him at a meeting with her husband Ryan Reynolds about edits she had made to a rooftop scene in their film, It Ends with Us.
In his $400 million lawsuit, filed earlier this month, Baldoni said Swift showed up and made him feel like he ‘needed to comply with Blake’s direction for the script’.
Lively later appeared to threaten Baldoni by comparing herself to Game of Thrones character Khaleesi in a series of text messages in which she referred to Reynolds, 48, and her best friend as her ‘dragons’.
The ‘uncool and unnecessary’ description was reportedly the final straw for Swift who had never planned to be at the meeting, but arrived at Lively’s New York penthouse to find it was still ongoing.
‘For the time being she is taking a step back from Blake because she doesn’t want to get tangled in this more than she already has – which is far more than she ever needed to be,’ an insider told DailyMail.com.
Taylor Swift is taking a step back from her friendship with Blake Lively after feeling like she was used as an ‘intimidation tactic’ by the actress in her lawsuit, sources have told DailyMail.com
The singer, 35, was dragged into the explosive legal feud between Lively and Justin Baldoni when he claimed his costar used Swift to intimidate him at a meeting about their film
‘Her friends also think that Blake’s “I’m Khaleesi, and like her, I happen to have dragons” text to Justin was uncool and unnecessary because she was essentially used as an intimidation tactic. She was referred to as some kind of pet or possession.
‘Taylor shouldn’t even be involved in this at all. She was only going over to visit Blake and Ryan with the understanding that the meeting would be over.’
Khaleesi, also known as Daenerys Targaryen and Mother of Dragons, is one of the main characters in Game of Thrones, which aired between 2011 to 2019.
She was portrayed as a villain after descending into madness and turning to vengeance due to trauma and loss.
A second source said: ‘Taylor has politely backed away from it all. She is conscious of her own image and hates that she was even mentioned.’
The decision will no doubt shock fans of the Cruel Summer singer, who has been friends with the former Gossip Girl lead for a decade, with the pair celebrating milestones together and Swift even name dropping Lively’s children in her music.
She appeared to rally around Lively when rumours of rancour between the actress and Baldoni first started bubbling in August.
She was pictured arriving at Swift’s Rhode Island property, taking solace at the $17 million, eight bedroom estate alongside her husband Reynolds, to escape the frenzy.
In his $400 million lawsuit, filed earlier this month, Baldoni, 40, said Swift showed up and made him feel like he ‘needed to comply with Blake’s direction for the script’
Lively then appeared to threaten Baldoni by comparing herself to Game of Thrones’ Khaleesi in a series of text messages in which she referred to Reynolds and Swift as her ‘dragons’
At the time Lively was being called out for her ‘tone deaf’ marketing, apparently dismissing interview questions about domestic violence – a major theme in the movie – in favour of telling people to grab their ‘florals’ and head to the cinema.
Others accused her of using the attention to plug her alcohol brand Betty Booze.
Resurfaced interviews showing the actress being ‘rude’ to reporters also went viral on social media.
Lively and Swift were last pictured together in October on a double date with Deadpool actor Reynolds and Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce in Manhattan.
The outing came two months before she filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department in which she accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and creating a toxic environment on the set of It Ends with Us.
At the same time, the New York Times released a story based on her legal filing that accused him of orchestrating a smear campaign against her.
Swift, whose song My Tears Ricochet was featured in the soundtrack, was then pulled into the roller coaster saga when Baldoni fired back with a stinging $400 million counter suit against Lively and Reynolds in which he accused the Hollywood couple of conspiring to trash his reputation.
Baldoni, who is also suing the Times for defamation, claimed Lively hijacked the filming of the movie as he attempted to blow her allegations to smithereens.
The ‘uncool and unnecessary’ description was the final straw for Swift who had never planned to be at the meeting, but arrived at Lively’s New York penthouse to find it was still ongoing.
In her filing, the actress claimed a meeting was held at her home in January 2024 to address ‘a hostile work environment that had nearly derailed production’ and that both parties ‘discussed in detail the inappropriate conduct’ that Lively and other cast and crew experienced at the hands of Baldoni.
But in his suit, Baldoni claimed he was invited over with a Sony executive to discuss her rewrite of a rooftop scene when Reynolds ‘launched into enthusiastic praise for [Lively’s version]’. They were also joined by her ‘mega-celebrity friend to pressure him’.
While Baldoni did not name the famous pal he was referring to, he included screenshots of a later conversation with Lively, and one message showed him mentioning someone named ‘Taylor.’
It is during this exchange that Baldoni claims the actress joked that if he ever got ‘around to watching Game of Thrones’ that he would ‘appreciate that’ she is Khaleesi.
‘And like her, I happen to have a few dragons,’ she allegedly wrote. ‘For better or worse, but usually for better. Because my dragons also protect those I fight for. So really we all benefit from those gorgeous monsters of mine. you will too, I can promise you.’
He also claims Reynolds ‘aggressively’ accused him of making offensive comments as well as ‘fat shaming’ her.
It Ends with Us was a box-office hit, earning $351 million worldwide despite a $25 million budget.
It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions for fans of Taylor Swift and Blake Lively as reports have surfaced of a dramatic legal battle between the two, threatening their decade-long friendship. The feud allegedly stems from a dispute with actor Justin Baldoni, who has been caught in the middle of the drama.In light of the escalating situation, Taylor Swift has reportedly made the difficult decision to take a ‘step back’ from her friendship with Blake Lively. The two have been close friends for years, often seen supporting each other at events and celebrating milestones together.
The legal battle with Justin Baldoni has put a strain on their relationship, with sources revealing that tensions are running high between the once inseparable duo. Despite their efforts to resolve the conflict, it seems that the damage may be irreversible.
Fans are left heartbroken over the news, as Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s friendship has been a beacon of light in the entertainment industry. Many are hoping that the two will be able to mend their relationship and move past this difficult time.
As the situation continues to unfold, all we can do is wait and hope for a resolution that will bring peace to everyone involved. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
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#Taylor #Swift #step #Blake #Lively #dramatic #legal #battle #Justin #Baldoni #threatens #decadelong #friendshipCourt Sets First Hearing Date in Blake Lively Justin Baldoni Feud
Blake Lively has moved to depose a key player whose crisis management firm Street Relations allegedly played a part in the smear campaign initiated by Justin Baldoni.
Lively filed a petition in Texas state court on Jan. 21 seeking a court order for a deposition of Jed Wallace, who was named in the complaint the actress filed with the California Civil Rights Department but not the lawsuit she filed in federal court. The filing is intended to obtain testimony for use in an anticipated complaint or to investigate a potential claim in ongoing litigation.
Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni accused Wallace of weaponizing a digital army to create and promote content that appeared to be authentic on social media platforms and internet chat forums. Baldoni’s public relations team that allegedly orchestrated the campaign to undermine the actress would then feed pieces of the manufactured content to reporters, with the goal of making it go viral in order to “influence public opinion and thereby cause an organic pile-on.”
Wallace — who described himself as a “hired gun” and purported to have a “proprietary formula for defining artists and trends,” per the complaint — was retained on behalf of Baldoni and his company Wayfarer, who also brought on veteran crisis PR exec Melissa Nathan of The Agency Group (Nathan is named in Lively’s lawsuit). Lively detailed efforts by Wallace to “seed and influence online forums” on Reddit attacking her and defending Baldoni.
And in a decision that signals it could be receptive to a gag order against Baldoni’s legal team, a New York federal judge moved up a hearing to address an escalating request from Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, to bar Bryan Freedman, the lawyer for the It Ends With Us star and director, from trying the litigation in the press and biasing potential jurors.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman ordered that a pretrial hearing set for Feb. 11 be moved up to Feb. 3 hours after Lively and Reynolds’ legal team sent a second letter alleging Freedman continues to violate court rules by making certain comments to the media on behalf of Baldoni and Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer, among other tactics. Lively and Reynolds are represented by Manatt, Phelps & Phillips and Willkie Farr & Gallagher, who first asked for a gag order last week.
“The endless stream of defamatory and extrajudicial media statements must end. It will not stop without this court’s intervention,” states the Monday filing from Lively. “The Wayfarer Defendants’ efforts are being financed by a billionaire, who has pledged to spend $100 million to ruin the lives of Ms. Lively and her family. Mr. Freedman is using that money, his roster of current and former clients, and a blatant media and social media strategy to assassinate Ms. Lively’s character in advance of trial.”
The actress-producer is accusing Baldoni of alleged sexual harassment on the set of the film, as well as orchestrating a smear campaign following the film’s release. Baldoni later filed his own complaint against the actress and husband Reynolds, seeking at least $400 million in damages.
Liman also revealed that the court plans to consolidate the separate lawsuits and set a March 9, 2026, trial date.
Monday’s letter to Liman from Lively and Reynolds’ legal team was sparked by a lengthy statement Freedman provided to TMZ and other media outlets on Jan. 25, including that “when you accuse innocent individuals of something so disturbing as sexual harassment without thinking of the destruction it would cause to not only them, but the entire domestic violence community, this is where accountability for such mean-spirited actions must be taken. We will always respect the court; however, we will never be bullied by those suggesting we cannot defend our clients with pure, unedited facts.”
Counsel for Baldoni and his associates have repeatedly argued that the unfolding events have been “utterly calamitous” for Baldoni and his company Wayfarer, which is backed by billionaire Steve Sarowitz, and that they have been “exiled from polite society” and suffered damages “totaling hundreds of millions of dollars due to Ms. Lively’s scorched-earth media campaign.”
Meanwhile, Lively and Reynolds’ lawyers are also taking issue with a planned website that Baldoni will use to bolster his case by providing certain video, along with text and email exchanges. Lively’s lawyers argue there will be no way of knowing what he has omitted, or even deleted. “Mr. Freedman has made it apparent that he is engaging in this extrajudicial campaign to influence these proceedings and the public perception of legal filings to this Court, and there already is a serious risk that his misconduct is tainting the jury pool. He further has made it clear that his priority is to ‘torpedo Blake Lively’s career for good’ by, among other things, creating a website to release strategically selected documents and communications between Lively and Baldoni,” stated the Monday filing.
Freedman also represents Baldoni in a separate lawsuit against The New York Times, which published a detailed story about Lively’s time on the set of It Ends With Us. The film was financed by Wayfarer and distributed by Sony.
Responding to Monday’s letter filed on behalf of Lively and Reynolds, Freedman said, “The irony continues to be rich for team Lively/Reynolds. Our intention with the upcoming website is to do the exact opposite of what they themselves did when they gave provably false information to the New York Times. We will not be selective, we will not cherry-pick and we will not doctor text messages. Both Ms. Lively and Mr Reynolds do not yet understand that there isn’t one rule for them and one rule for everybody else. If they want to unethically gag the truth by threatening to wield their power in Hollywood, we will fight it every step of the way. We are not scared of them, we will not be silenced by them. Defending ourselves is not retaliation, it is a human right.”
“If Mr. Freedman’s conduct is permitted, it will only result in an arms race of selective public disclosures of text messages to the media,” Michael Gottlieb, a lawyer for Lively, writes in the letter. “The Wayfarer parties initiated their own claims in multiple lawsuits against multiple parties, and in doing so, had a full and unencumbered opportunity to include in their pleadings any and all text messages or other context they believed supported their claims.”
The long-standing feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is finally heading to court, as a judge has set the first hearing date for the highly publicized dispute.The feud between the two Hollywood stars has been making headlines for months, with both parties publicly airing their grievances against each other on social media and in interviews. The root of the feud remains unclear, but rumors suggest it may be related to a professional disagreement or personal conflict.
Fans of both Lively and Baldoni have been eagerly awaiting a resolution to the feud, and the upcoming court hearing is sure to shed light on the nature of their dispute. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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Justin Baldoni sends Blake Lively apology voicemail after working on ‘It Ends With Us’ scene
Justin Baldoni admitted he “fell short” of Blake Lively’s expectations in an alleged “rambling” voice note, which appears to have been sent after the actors worked on the rooftoop scene for their movie “It Ends With Us.”
Baldoni, 41, apologized to his co-star in a six-minute message seemingly sent after the pair met to discuss a now-infamous rooftop scene from the movie in which he claimed in legal documents that he felt pressured by Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, and her friend, Taylor Swift, to use Lively’s rewritten scene for the film.
Lively filed a sexual harassment suit in December against Baldoni, his Wayfarer studio and former PR reps. The same day Lively filed her suit, Baldoni filed a $250 million suit against the New York Times for a December article about the alleged smear campaign.
Weeks later, Baldoni then named Lively and Reynolds in a separate $400 million defamation lawsuit in which he accused the Hollywood power couple of attempting to hijack “It Ends With Us” and create their own narrative.
BLAKE LIVELY ACCUSES JUSTIN BALDONI’S LAWYER OF ATTEMPTING TO ‘TORPEDO’ ACTRESS’S CAREER ‘FOR GOOD’
Justin Baldoni apologized to Blake Lively in an alleged lengthy voice note shared after working on a rooftop scene for “It Ends With Us.” (Getty Images)
“There’s so much I want to say to you and I hope that we can FaceTime or see each other in person soon and get to talk more, but I’m just going to send you a few thoughts, and hopefully it’s not going to be more than a few minutes, but I don’t have the best track record – I don’t think either one of us have the best records for voice memos – I want to start with an apology,” Baldoni said in a purported voice note obtained by TMZ. “Man … reading the second part of your message, my heart sank, and I’m really sorry. I for sure fell short, and you worked really hard on that, and the way you framed it and how that made you feel, and I just wanted to say thank you for sharing that with me. That takes a lot of trust and vulnerability.”
“I just, I feel really grateful that you feel safe enough to tell me that’s how you feel and share that with me, and I’m really sorry. I f—-d up. That is a fail on my part. One thing you should know about me is I will admit and apologize when I fail. I am far from perfect. I am a very flawed man, as my wife will attest. I’m gonna f–k up. I’m going to say the wrong thing. I’m going to put my foot in my mouth. I’m going to piss you off probably, but I will always apologize and find my way back to center. That is one thing I can assure you of.”
In an attempt to show how Lively allegedly took control of the movie’s production, Baldoni’s legal team claimed in documents that the actress used her friendship with Taylor Swift to threaten him. While working on the film, Lively insisted on rewriting the rooftop scene. Baldoni had been hesitant about the idea but told the 37-year-old actress he would “take a look at what she put together,” according to the complaint.
Afterward, Lively invited Baldoni over to her New York City home, where the actor said he felt Swift and Reynolds pressured him into using the rewritten scene. “Later, Baldoni felt obliged to text Lively to say that he had liked her pages and hadn’t needed Reynolds and her megacelebrity friend to pressure him,” the complaint said.
Justin Baldoni is suing Blake Lively and husband Ryan Reynolds for $400 million. (Cindy Ord)
Baldoni not only starred in the film adaptation of the novel, he also directed the movie. (Getty Images)
“And I’m sorry I made you feel that way. That must have felt terrible. I will for sure do better,” he said in the voice note. “That was not my best weekend and I should have given it more time. And, damn right, you’ve got great friends if that’s how you felt, and they knew that and, f–k, we should all have friends like that, aside from the fact that they’re two of the most creative people on the planet. The three of you guys together is unbelievable – talk about energy and just a force, all three of you.”
“But I just wanted you to know that I didn’t need that because it’s really good, and it’s going to make the movie sing like you said,” Baldoni said. “I’m excited to go through the whole movie with you. I’m just excited to spend time with you. I’m excited to be in your sphere and your presence and for us to share creative juices together, although that sounds terrible. I think you and I have been trying to build a relationship, which I think we’ve done successfully. I mean, here we are talking like this, me into my phone at 2 in the morning, but largely via text and voice note, and that, I will be honest, is not my biggest strength.”
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“I love being with people and being in somebody’s space and being face to face,” he said. “And I feel like that’s where I excel and definitely fallen short at times in our text and voice-note exchanges, because there’s so much to communicate and there’s so much happening, and all that to say I’m just really looking forward to spending time together, and I think that’s really going to go a long way for our chemistry, which I believe is there, has been there from the start. That’s why I was so damn excited when you wanted to do this film. I felt it in the room when we met and, yeah, I think it does come from the both of us being so f—ing hard-working and having a vision and not settling, and I’m excited to have a creative partner in that with you, it’s just really exciting.”
Justin Baldoni said he was excited to be in Blake Lively’s “sphere” in the six-minute voice note. (Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
Baldoni continued, “There’s so much more to say, there’s so much more I want to say. Oh, there’s one thing that I do need to say, which is, I am so sorry you have been through what you’ve been through with these other filmmakers and producers or whoever the people were that you worked with. It just pissed me off. Those f—heads. I’m just still kind of blown away that this is the industry that we’re in and that you’ve experienced that as a woman, and I know I don’t need to say it, but that’s not at all going to be or will be. Hopefully it’s not been the experience with me. There’s nothing more exciting to me that I get to work with Blake Lively, and I get to have her, all of her. I mean, that’s what I want.
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“And so, there’s been no hesitancy with me sending you the final draft file. I am totally fine with that. The only reason I didn’t send it today was because I was trying to implant and add your notes into my working draft, which is, already, I’m all over that draft right now. So, there’s a whole bunch of new stars that are going to be collated pages, and I just haven’t had a chance to send it to you. But there’s no hesitancy, I’m happy to send it to you, and I’m sorry that has happened to you before. And I hope after this experience there will be a new, I don’t know, I hope it will be healing in some way. That’s all I want.”
WATCH: JUSTIN BALDONI RELEASES UNEDITED ‘IT ENDS WITH US’ FOOTAGE FEATURING BLAKE LIVELY
“I want this movie to be healing,” Baldoni said. “I want this movie to be commercial just like you and affect people and touch people, and I want to walk you through my whole plan and the work that we’re doing with the domestic violence partner that we found, No More, and just my vision. And I just know that this can be really, really special, and it’s going to be special, and you’re the secret sauce. We’re the secret sauce.
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“And, anyways, I have so much more to say, I’m going to stop rambling because, Jesus Christ, it’s been six minutes and 30 seconds, f— me, I’m sorry. You probably have kids all over you and a baby on your boob, and you’re listening to me ramble at 2 in the morning. I hope you’re feeling better and give Ryan my love. Thank you for sending me that. It means the world to me that you trust me with your feelings and your thoughts like that, and I can’t wait to spend more time with you. OK, I’m done, cutting myself off, goodnight.”
Representatives for Baldoni and Lively did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Judge Lewis J. Liman of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ordered a trial set for March 9, 2026. An originally scheduled pretrial conference for Feb. 12 was rescheduled for Feb. 3.
Justin Baldoni, the director of the upcoming film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel ‘It Ends With Us’, recently sent co-star Blake Lively a heartfelt apology voicemail after an emotional scene they shot together.In the voicemail, Baldoni expressed his gratitude for Lively’s incredible talent and professionalism on set, but also acknowledged the toll that the intense scene had taken on both of them. He apologized for any discomfort or emotional strain that may have been caused during filming, and reassured Lively that he truly values her as a colleague and friend.
The scene in question is a pivotal moment in the story, where Lively’s character confronts her past trauma and makes a brave decision to stand up for herself. Both actors poured their hearts into the scene, resulting in a powerful and raw performance that left them both emotionally drained.
Baldoni’s gesture of sending Lively a personal apology voicemail highlights the deep respect and camaraderie that exists among the cast and crew of ‘It Ends With Us’. It’s clear that their dedication to telling this important story is matched only by their care and concern for each other’s well-being.
Fans of the book and the actors will undoubtedly be eager to see how this emotional scene translates to the big screen, and the genuine connection between Baldoni and Lively is sure to make it a standout moment in the film.
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Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, apology voicemail, It Ends With Us, scene, acting, celebrity news, entertainment, Hollywood, emotional scene, heartfelt message, acting collaboration, on-set dynamics, behind the scenes, celebrity apology, film industry.
#Justin #Baldoni #sends #Blake #Lively #apology #voicemail #working #Ends #sceneBlake Lively and Justin Baldoni get March 2026 trial date for her ‘It Ends With Us’ lawsuit
NEW YORK (AP) — A New York judge set a March 2026 trial date on Monday and moved an initial conference from mid-February to next week as the public feud between Blake Lively and her “It Ends With Us” costar and director Justin Baldoni continued to grow and accelerate.
And in a new and separate front in the series of legal battles surrounding the film that became a surprise hit last summer, Lively in a Texas court filed a request for a deposition of a man she says was central to turning online sentiment against her during its release and promotion.
The New York federal judge, Lewis J. Liman, told both sides in an order late Monday to prepare for a March 9, 2026, trial.
He also moved an initial conference from mid-February to next week and told lawyers to be prepared to address complaints about pretrial publicity and attorney conduct.
Liman took the actions after Lively’s lawyers claimed in a filing on Monday that an attorney for Baldoni was trying to taint potential jurors over lawsuits the actors have filed against each other.
The lawyers said Baldoni’s attorney was trying to wreck Lively’s career and turn potential New York jurors against her by creating a website to release selected documents and communications between Lively and Baldoni.
The lawyers said attorney Bryan Freedman, representing Baldoni, was “engaging in this extrajudicial campaign to influence these proceedings and the public perception of legal filings to this Court, and there already is a serious risk that his misconduct is tainting the jury pool.”
They added: “The endless stream of defamatory and extrajudicial media statements must end.”
Freedman said in a statement in response to Monday’s assertions that the “irony is not lost on anyone that Ms. Lively is so petrified of the truth that she has moved to gag it.”
“We will always respect the court; however, we will never be bullied by those suggesting we cannot defend our clients with pure, unedited facts,” the lawyer said. “All we want is for people to see the actual text messages that directly contradict her allegations, video footage that clearly shows there was no sexual harassment and all the other powerful evidence that directly contradicts any false allegations.”
In a letter to the judge on Thursday, Baldoni attorney Kevin Fritz accused Lively of a publicity campaign that left Baldoni and other defendants the “objects of public scorn and contempt.”
He said the actions had damaged those she sued so that they were “exiled from polite society and suffered damages totaling hundreds of millions of dollars due to Ms. Lively’s scorched-earth media campaign.”
In the separate filing in Hays County, Texas, a precursor to another potential lawsuit, Lively asks for an order for a deposition from Jed Wallace, a crisis management specialist she alleges was behind much of the social media manipulation surrounding the film that turned public sentiment against her through posts on Reddit and TikTok.
Wallace and his Texas-based firm Street Relations were brought on as subcontractors by publicists working with Baldoni and his production company, the filing said.
“He weaponized a digital army around the country, including in New York and Los Angeles, to create, seed, manipulate, and advance disparaging content that appeared to be authentic on social media platforms and internet chat forums,” the filing alleges.
Wallace is identified in Lively’s federal lawsuit, but he is not a defendant.
Freedman, who the filing says is Wallace’s lawyer, did not respond to a request for comment on the issue.
Lively sued Baldoni, his production company and others in New York in late December for sexual harassment and attacks on her reputation and asked for unspecified damages. Baldoni sued earlier this month, accusing Lively and her husband, “Deadpool” actor Ryan Reynolds, of defamation and extortion and seeking at least $400 million in damages.
The judge said Monday that he’ll likely combine the lawsuits for trial.
“It Ends With Us,” an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling 2016 novel that begins as a romance but takes a dark turn into domestic violence, was released in August, exceeding box office expectations with a $50 million debut. But the movie’s release was shrouded by speculation over discord between Lively and Baldoni.
Lively came to fame through the 2005 film “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” and bolstered her stardom on the TV series “Gossip Girl” from 2007 to 2012. She has since starred in films including “The Town” and “The Shallows.”
Baldoni starred in the TV comedy “Jane the Virgin,” directed the 2019 film “Five Feet Apart” and wrote “Man Enough,” a book pushing back against traditional notions of masculinity.
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AP Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton reported from Los Angeles.
Actress Blake Lively and actor Justin Baldoni have been given a March 2026 trial date for the lawsuit filed against them by author Colleen Hoover over their upcoming film adaptation of her book “It Ends With Us.”Hoover alleges that Lively and Baldoni’s production company did not properly obtain the rights to adapt her book and that they have infringed on her copyright. The lawsuit has been ongoing for several years, with both parties unable to reach a settlement.
Lively and Baldoni have denied the allegations, stating that they followed all necessary legal procedures and obtained the rights to adapt the book. They are both looking forward to the trial in March 2026 to finally put the matter to rest.
Fans of the book are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the trial, hoping for a fair resolution that respects Hoover’s work while also allowing Lively and Baldoni to bring their vision of the story to the screen. Stay tuned for updates on this developing legal battle.
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Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, March 2026 trial date, It Ends With Us lawsuit, celebrity news, legal updates, Hollywood lawsuit, entertainment industry, court proceedings, celebrity court cases
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