2024 saw the release of several highly anticipated films, including Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Moana 2. Among them, It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, became one of the year’s most talked-about movies — but not for the reasons its creators likely hoped. The production was fraught with controversy, and new claims have cast a spotlight on the behind-the-scenes drama.
At the center of the storm is Jane the Virgin star Justin Baldoni, who not only directed the film but also played the lead role of Ryle Kincaid. His co-star Blake Lively portrayed Lily Bloom, a flower shop owner navigating a toxic and abusive relationship with Ryle. While their on-screen performances drew praise, reports of off-screen tension began circulating months before the film’s August premiere.
Related: Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni: ‘It Ends With Us’ Sparks Explosive Lawsuit
Things took a turn for the worse when Lively accused Baldoni of inappropriate behavior, including fat-shaming, proposing unnecessary sex scenes, and making crude comments. Baldoni has vehemently denied these claims, and the tension escalated with lawsuits, countersuits, and now, a shocking new revelation involving Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds.
Allegations of a “Traumatic” Encounter
According to legal documents obtained by PEOPLE, Baldoni alleges that Reynolds subjected him to a humiliating verbal tirade. The complaint states that the confrontation occurred during a private meeting, which included other It Ends With Us producers and Lively herself. Baldoni describes the interaction as a “traumatic” experience, adding, “I’ve never been spoken to like that in my life.”
There, “Reynolds launched into a tirade, berating Baldoni in what Baldoni later described as a ‘traumatic’ encounter, stating he had ‘never been spoken to like that in his life,’ ” the complaint alleges.
Baldoni, 40, claims Reynolds, 48, “demanded” an apology for Lively, 37, accusing him of “fat-shaming” her, and when Baldoni “resisted apologizing for what he had not done, Reynolds became further enraged.”
His lawyers characterize the alleged exchange as an “inappropriate and humiliating berating of Baldoni — delivered, perhaps intentionally, as other celebrity friends were coming in and out of their penthouse.”
Baldoni also alleges that the meeting was conducted in a penthouse where other celebrity friends of the couple were coming and going, making the incident even more public and humiliating. The lawsuit does not hold back in describing the alleged encounter, painting Reynolds as an overprotective husband who crossed a line.
Behind-the-Scenes Drama
The turmoil surrounding It Ends With Us didn’t stop with these allegations. Baldoni has publicly maintained that the so-called fat-shaming incident stemmed from a misunderstanding. The actor claims he asked about Lively’s weight purely for logistical reasons, as he needed to ensure he could lift her during a scene without exacerbating his back issues.
Adding fuel to the fire, reports surfaced that Lively had brought in her own editor to create an alternative cut of the film, bypassing Baldoni’s role as director. While the studio ultimately decided that Baldoni’s version of the film was superior, the move deepened tensions between the two stars.
The fallout from these accusations has been swift. Baldoni has faced backlash, with his agency dropping him and his publicist severing ties. Lively, on the other hand, has received public support from notable figures, including Colleen Hoover and her It Ends With Us co-star Jenny Slate. The cast of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005) also released a joint statement expressing solidarity with the actress.
Meanwhile, Reynolds and Lively have remained silent on the lawsuit, though the accusations have added a layer of intrigue to an already headline-grabbing saga. PEOPLE reached out to Reynolds for comment, but his representatives have yet to respond.
As the lawsuits play out, one thing is certain: the behind-the-scenes controversies have turned It Ends With Us into one of the most talked-about films of 2024. Whether audiences will remember the movie for its compelling story or its off-screen battles remains to be seen.
Who do you think is in the right—Justin Baldoni or Blake Lively? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
I think a husband defending his wife from what she considered to be harassment should be cut some slack.