There is a silver screen-worthy legal drama playing out in real life that has the Hollywood talking. Actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have filed dueling lawsuits following the release of their box office smash, It Ends with Us, last summer.
The movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel of the same name tells the story of a florist named Lily Bloom (Lively) who falls for an abusive neurosurgeon, Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni). Hoover has said book was inspired by her own mother’s decision to leave her abusive father when she was young. In addition to his starring role, Baldoni also served as producer and director of the project.
The Drama
While It Ends with Us was a commercial success that grossed some $350 million worldwide, there were ongoing rumblings of behind the scenes drama. Last summer, fans noticed Baldoni followed his co-stars on social media but Lively and others did not follow him back. Throughout the press tour, Baldoni did not sit for interviews with the cast and he also did not appear alongside them in red carpet photos.
At the time, The Daily Mail alleged Baldoni was “chauvinistic” and “borderline abusive” on the set, while unflattering reports began to circulate about Lively as well – including how her promotion of the film seemingly made light of the domestic violence storyline.
The Lawsuits
And then came the lawsuits. On December 20, Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department claiming Baldoni sexual harassed her during filming and retaliated against her after she raised issues about his on-set behavior. The following day, The New York Times published a detailed report sympathetic to Lively’s accusations.
On New Year’s Eve, the actress formally filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York against Baldoni, his publicist, his production company (Wayfarer Studios), and other defendants for “retaliating against her for reporting sexual harassment and workplace safety concerns.”
That same day, Baldoni responded with a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times for its reporting on Lively’s allegations. He accused the outlet of having “cowered to the wants and whims of two powerful ‘untouchable’ Hollywood elites” – Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds. Additional legal action against the actress and others is expected to follow.
The Text Messages
Baldoni is being represented by famed media attorney Bryan Freedman, who is also Megyn’s lawyer. On Tuesday’s show, he joined to discuss the ongoing litigation and to offer additional details on the situation that he said the public has not yet been made aware of.
Reports have suggested that the final cut of It Ends with Us was edited and approved by Lively after she clashed with Baldoni over the direction of the film. Baldoni’s suit against The Times alleges that his co-star made a “calculated and audacious attempt to seize control of the film.”
That sentiment was clear in over six months of text messages between Baldoni and the two editors he hired to work on his cut. The Megyn Kelly Show was given exclusive access to the exchanges between the so-called “Dream Team” of Baldoni and the editors identified as “Editor #1” and “Editor #2.”
Freedman told Megyn that Lively’s interference with the editing process was “unprecedented” and documented in the correspondences between Baldoni and his team that you can read for yourself in the messages below:
February – March 2024
Sunday, February 25 at 1:32pm
EDITOR #1: Hey, just check in, hope you’re hanging in there… We’re going to get through this, dammit!
BALDONI: Thanks for checking. I’ve sat with it and I think the best path forward spiritually and what’s best for the movie is that I suck it up and let her [Lively] in. I’ve sent a message requesting that it start on the 18th and then we would just let her in until she leaves and then her cuts and updates throughout the process. I’ll let you guys know what she says. Thanks for being awesome: dream team!
EDITOR #2: We got you
EDITOR #1: I think that sounds like a very good plan on all fronts…
BALDONI: Sidenote… I offered for her to join on the 18th and she replied she liked to join now because she will be invaluable to me as she knows every take. I’m gonna stick to the date and see how that foes and what comes next. 🤷🏻♂️
EDITOR #1: Oy!
EDITOR #2: Stick to it!
Sunday, February 25 at 9:20pm
EDITOR #1: When you get a moment, could I please get an ADR line from you for the karaoke scene? “And you don’t do casual”. I’ll send you an audio reference.
EDITOR #1: Ok, let me put together some form of reel five, the last scene was only half finished so I will swap in the last version temporarily.
EDITOR #2: And hopefully [redacted] is working on sc 11 sound pass this morning.
BALDONI: Also, I think a valuable thing to do next week is going to be to get both of your systems set up in a way that you’ll be able to find all takes very quickly based on whatever you are both comfortable with because I know for a fact that that is going to be something that Blake is going end up doing, and the last time we can spend searching for takes the better it’s going to be for the overall process.
Friday, March 8 at 7:36pm
BALDONI: For Blake – should I say 9:30-3 each day and that gives you guys three hours for extra notes and other things – or 10-3
EDITOR #1: 10. That gives us wiggle room for any pow wows before we meet w her
EDITOR #2: Either works for me. It would be good to have time before and after
BALDONI: How’s it playing
March 2024
EDITOR #1: Thank you for getting those all organized like that!!!
BALDONI: We should all hop when we can tmrw before she joins. Whatever works for you guys. I let her know we tested[.] She’s asked for all the cards and data as well
EDITOR #1: Oh wow, I was wondering if you were going to… I think it was the right call… “the best defense is a great movie”! / I know we talked about an 11 AM start for tomorrow w Blake, which I think would be a very good idea. I think it’s important that we meet with [redacted] beforehand in the morning so we can launch her working on music while we’re working with Blake. Also, she’s fresh eyes, so we can talk to her about things that came up from the screening
EDITOR #1: Good morning from [redacted]. From [redacted]: FYI Blake started watching Movie at 8:30am today on PIX. She did not watch it this weekend
BALDONI: Yes she just texted she was starting
EDITOR #2: Shall we meet in my room at 9?
BALDONI: 👊 / Better to meet on [redacted] since she will have access to yours / Just in case she comes on early
EDITOR #2: She doesn’t have it yet. But happy to do that!
EDITOR #1: What do we want to do about the falling in love montage? Now that I’ve gotten reel three off to music, I’m looking through reel four and I see there are two cuts from the “talk and talk/1st kiss” scene in the love montage. The first one is obviously from that scene, the second one I think we can get away with. I just spoke to [redacted] who’s been through all the footage and he said there’s just no more kisses from scenes that weren’t already in the movie. I just did a version of just taking out that first wider walk and talk kiss, seems to work well.
BALDONI: I think we have to wait on this until we solve the other Blake note of sex/ romance after atlas…. / We may pull the onsie sex out- / Or not…. / Meet in [redacted]
BALDONI: [Redacted] Blake wants to know when you could be there next week
EDITOR #2: I can fly on Sunday or Monday. Up to you guys
BALDONI: And would you prefer to be there or edit from home.
EDITOR #2: I honestly don’t have a preference
EDITOR #1: And so it begins…
BALDONI: We could push for you to stay home – it’s up to you
EDITOR #2: Both have pros and cons / I want Blake to feel like she’s getting what she wants so we can move on from this need of hers
BALDONI: For the record She’s been getting what she wants this entire movie
EDITOR #2: I understand
BALDONI: And she’s getting to edit, which is what she wants, let’s remember that lol
EDITOR #2: Yes. And yet…
BALDONI: True !
EDITOR #2: I don’t want to give her any opportunity to say, well because [redacted] was in LA, we could only work certain hours so I need more time and I didn’t really get what I needed. Or whatever it may be.
BALDONI: Point it if you feel it’s best and you want to go there no problem at all and also if you would like to stay home, that’s something we can say. I just want you to do what’s best for you / That’s a good point
EDITOR #2: I appreciate your protection and thought. I’m truly game for going if that’s what she prefers / If she doesn’t care, then save the money and have me work from home.
EDITOR #1: You’re definitely nicer than I am. I would want to stay here to make it less convenient for her since she’s going to be on a completely different time zone. Justin has bent over backwards for her for months on end, I don’t think you should have to do that, too. Either way, you should do what’s best for you, not her.
EDITOR #2: If it were Texas or some random place, I’d be much more resistant. I’m a New Yorker, some of my best friends live there, so I love going to the city. Both [redacted] are leaving town on trips this week as well, so it’s not too complicated week for us.
BALDONI: Ok- all good. I’m sensing a desire to go and also have some you time which is great. Win win / Il let them know – I think the game is to ask for virtual and then give in and send you. As a practice, we can’t just keep giving her everything on exactly her terms.
EDITOR #2: Like I said, happy to go. Also totally fine to stay. I can find the pros in either
BALDONI: Appreciate you.
EDITOR #2: You too sir / Sir sounded much more formal than I intended 🙂
BALDONI: All good maam
EDITOR #2: Make her stay in Italy. Tell her I DEMAND to edit in Italy.
March – April 2024
EDITOR #2: So are we keeping the thrust?
EDITOR #1: I’ll drink to that! Of course, I was planning on drinking anyways…. : )
BALDONI: that’s gonna one up being a Blake call honestly. If you can get her to keep it in and it’s in the movie when I get it back it can stay in. She has “approval” of that scene
EDITOR #2: Even for young Lily?
EDITOR #1: I was thinking the same thing
BALDONI: When she claimed she was unsafe – she redid the nudity rider to get approval of young Lilly too
EDITOR #2: Got it
BALDONI: Wen she claimed she was unsafe – she redid the nudity rider to get approval of young Lilly too
EDITOR #2: Got it
EDITOR #1: SMH
BALDONI: Because she wasn’t a part of writing that sex scene / And didn’t want a character depicting her to have sex in high school 🤷🏻♂️ honestly – it’s all about control so she could get to where she will be next week. All good.
Thursday, April 21 at 12:59pm
Editor #2: Happy Sunday! Waiting for my plane. Blake is watching the cut tonight and we start around noon tomorrow. I’ll check in with you guys when we wrap up in the evening.
Editor #1: Sounds good and sage travels! I really think something good might come out of of all this, so far, every time this movie came up against adversity, it somehow worked out to make the movie even better… Why stop now?
Baldoni: It’s gonna be great and you’re the perfect person for the job! / Safe travels!
Sunday, April 21 at 8:05pm
EDITOR #2: We just finished up for the day .
EDITOR #1: Full day!
BALDONI: Great, should we all chat?
EDITOR #2: Yes but let me get out of the building. / Then I can call
EDITOR #1: That was my thinking exactly
BALDONI: Of course / Jamey would like to join
Monday, April 22 at 11:27pm
BALDONI: Thank you again [redacted]. So sorry you have to be in this position yet no one better suited. Grateful for you.
April – May 2024
Tuesday, April 23 at 8:34pm
EDITOR #2: Just finished for the day. Packing up
BALDONI: ❤️ great let us know when you can talk
EDITOR #2: Ok I’m at the hotel
Wednesday, May 15 at 10:54pm
BALDONI: [Sends May 13 Movie Preview report PDF]
EDITOR #2: This is great
EDITOR #1: I hope Blake got a copy!!!
BALDONI: no, I don’t think so. Wouldn’t matter anyways – she has her mind made up. We focus on what’s best for the film! It will all work out
Thursday, May 16 at 11:43am
BALDONI: Well, we’re out in the world / ❤️
BALDONI: Just curious if you guys have peaked at her cut and if anything has changed?
EDITOR #2: I have just been told we are not permitted to look
BALDONI: Haha wow / When did that happen
EDITOR #1: As per Sony
EDITOR #2: This evening / Through [redacted]
BALDONI: wow ok then / The editors and director isn’t allowed to look at an actresses cut. Got it. Well here we go! / We will keep taking the high road
Friday, May 31 at 5:26pm
EDITOR #1: [sends screenshot of preview results below]
EDITOR #1: In our key demo, OVER 20% higher in the Excellent rating and 15% percent higher in the Definite Recommends… That says it all.
BALDONI: One would think 😉 / I’ll have info at 4
EDITOR #2: Here is my info – “she lost, can we now move forward? Thank you.”
EDITOR #1: The only group she went up with in the “excellent” category was men, and they are absolutely NOT our audience! And that’s only because she focused more of the movie on herself, and men like to look at Blake Lively… men are such pigs
June 2024
BALDONI: Im so sorry. I love and adore you both and will fight for you and your recognition and sing your praises to the end. This will all work out. It’s painful, but it will be okay and we can rest knowing that we have created a beautiful work of art together. And yet… I’m so sorry.
Thursday, June 6 at 1:13am
BALDONI: [Sends photo in hospital] / Hope ADR went well. Being admitted for 3 days for potential infection – So now you have a real reason to why I’m not doing ADR 😉 I love and adore you both. Thanks for standing by me through all this! you guys are amazing,
EDITOR #1: Holy cow, feel better! We didn’t wanna bug you during all of this, but our secret source has let us know that the new version they are previewing tomorrow has a bunch of our version put back in! We just have to keep it quiet, because we want to keep our back channel open… Feel better, get well soon! We love you and all of this craziness (health and movie) is gonna work out, dammit!!!
BALDONI: Appreciate you both so much.
Thursday, June 6 at 11:35am
BALDONI: Infection in my spine. Pretty serious. Great drs and caught it early. ([redacted] had a feeling) My body is done – too much stress. Will be in hospital prob until Tuesday now. Then iv antibiotics via a picc line for 6 weeks with means can’t travel. Re Garfield – So happy he liked it!
EDITOR #1: Damn, then just take care of yourself. If Blake is so determined to handle the marketing on the movie, then just let her! Perforce time to look out for number one…
EDITOR #1: Looks fun! / Btw, picture was supposed to get locked this week, did that happen? Just curious what version is going out in to the world with all of our names on it!
BALDONI: Il watch soon! No idea re picture. Evidently they are all at book bonanza. Hard.
EDITOR #1: Oh boy…
BALDONI: But 2nd test didn’t go any better- over 35 went down and under stayed same – I guess Sony asked for more charges to get it closer to our cut but I haven’t watched / They are showing it at book bonanza.
EDITOR #2: The whole movie?
BALDONI: Yup. Hers
EDITOR #1: WOW
BALDONI: Was supposed to be ours and then I was uninvited 🤷🏻♂️ whole thing is pretty cruel and intense.
EDITOR #1: UN FUCKING BELIEVABLE
EDITOR #2: UGH – sorry Justin.
BALDONI: I love you both.
EDITOR #1: ❤️❤️❤️
EDITOR #2: 💜💜💜
EDITOR #1: I just hope you love (or at least stomach) the cut that is going out in to the world…
BALDONI: haven’t seen it. Can’t yet
July 2024
EDITOR: Justin! Just wanted to check in, are you back to 100%? And any updates on our little movie? Just hoping all is good with everyone and everything…
Monday, July 1 at 9:54am
BALDONI: Sorry [redacted] missed this. Didn’t mean to not respond. Really been distancing myself from the movie as best as I can for my sanity. Lots of great internal work. Finding real gratitude. Been some more hard things over the last few weeks that would blow your mind. Will all catch up soon. Today I have to give notes on the final mix. I have not seen the locked cut of the film. Evidently it’s been worked on more and she’s been mixing. I’m getting to give notes as a studio today- not a director. Very hard. But I’m okay. Really doing a lot of work to detach. We made a beautiful baby together, the baby might not grow up tone exactly who we thought but it’s still beautiful. That’s what I’m holding on to. Very proud of us.
EDITOR #1: Wow. I can’t say I’m shocked because I was hoping that you were going to be able to not let this beat you down and it sounds like you have achieved that. And yet, the movie we handed her was SO good that even if it’s been screwed with, the base work will still shine through. The last I heard was that she was putting back a fair amount of our version, just not sure what that entailed or to what extent, I guess you’ll find out today. Hang in there, and we’ll all catch up when the wounds are not quite as fresh. Sending love to you both.
August 2024
Monday, August 5 at 12:31pm
EDITOR #2: Justin – have a wonderful time in NYC! You deserve to bask in the successes of this film as you have put so much beautiful, thoughtful work into as both an actor and a director. Any your work is undeniable in the final product. It is what makes it such a powerful film. Sorry to not be there with your for the premiere, but I will be cheering you on form LA. Xoxo
EDITOR #1: Same! Just couldn’t bring myself to be in the same room with your know who… but will be cheering you on from here!
BALDONI: Please come.
EDITOR #1: Too late, [redacted] and I talked earlier and agreed we just couldn’t be in the same room with Blake. The last day to get our ticket was August 2.
EDITOR #2: We’ll be loving all of the red carpet look from you Justin!
BALDONI: Long story but we won’t be in the same room- I was asked to not even come to premier. / I can figure it out.
EDITOR #2: I’m glad you’re going. You did all of the work.
EDITOR #1: That was the main reason we didn’t go, because we were under the impression you wouldn’t be there.
BALDONI: Well, if you decide to change you mind last minute, let me know and let’s figure it out together. I’m gonna be there that’s just different timing and holding areas and theaters and all the things you can imagine. It’s still our film
EDITOR #2: It would be very hard for me to sit and watch the “final” film for the first time at the premiere. Just cheer for us when our names come up!! Sending all love.
BALDONI: Ok. Yeah I haven’t sene it either
EDITOR #2: Crazy times
Monday, August 12 at 4:01am
BALDONI: [via voice memo] Hello, Dream Team. Hello, my friends. It’s 10am here in Sweden. As soon as I could – as soon as the press tour was over – I flew back to Sweden. I’m here kind of recovering. I’m sure we’re all feeling similar things, which is like this strange mix of, you know, joy that this movie that we all poured our hearts into for so long is released and is doing so well; and also the bittersweetness of the reality of what went down and how it went down, and, you know, how we were treated, and all of these things.
And I just wanted to tell you that I am so grateful for you both because the movie that’s been released is 97 percent our film. And while it’s not exactly what we had done, it’s very close. There’s, you know, sequences and sequences that are exactly what we did, you know, cut for cut, take for take that are in the movie. And then, you know, [Lively] did what she did and put a little bit of her energy on it. You know, as Jamey says, like, change the color from the white that we picked to, like, an off-white. The score is, like, kind of a low rent version of what we did. It doesn’t even really have a theme that stays with the movie.
But people are responding, and I’m getting messages from survivors that they are feeling seen and our intention, I believe, has, has overcome. So, all that to say, I just want you both to hold your heads high because I believe so much in this team, and the three of us, and what we did, and what you guys each did, and how much you brought to it your sacrifices, and I believe that that is why the movie is working.
And it’s been a circus. It’s been really hard for me. I mean, think about this: On what, you know, could have been one of the most beautiful nights of my life – career wise – I literally was sent to the basement with my whole, all my friends and family for over an hour because I wasn’t allowed to be seen. She didn’t want me anywhere near her or the rest of the cast, so they ushered me off the carpet and they sent us down to the basement. We were down there together – my friends and family, the people that love me the most – and they start laughing because of the ridiculousness of this whole thing.
And I realized, like, on a night that was supposed to be so materialistically joyful, I was in the basement with the people that I loved the most and we were all joyful and laughing because none of that sh-t matters. None of it. That’s not why we’re in the business. That’s not why the three of us are in this business is to attend a premiere like that and be celebrated. We’re in this business because we are artists, and we believe in what we do, and because we want to create art that touches people’s hearts and souls and can move people. And that’s what we did, that’s what you both did, and I believe that will follow each of us and that truth will prevail and that light and love will win.
And I say this in a weird place, because, you know, she’s leaked some attacks of me already, and I just believe that there’s protection, because this whole thing has been so crazy and so unjust, and yet we just keep taking the high road, all of us, you know. Great things will come from this for everybody, and I will be singing both of your praises until the end.
So, I just wanted to send you both a message and say congratulations, and I hope you can try to celebrate just like I’m trying to celebrate. Doesn’t mean that the pain doesn’t exist, but I think we can, we can take a victory lap at least for now. Adore you both. Love to your families.
EDITOR #1: Wow, so good to hear from you and so good to hear that you have come out the other end of this so positive! [Redacted] and I both passed on going to the premiere because we assumed you weren’t going to be there, if we had known, we would’ve totally been there to support you and support our film, dammit! And neither of us have been able to bring ourselves to watch the movie, dreading what the wicked witch might have done to it. So glad to hear that a lot of the film survived! Obviously, we feel horrible for [redacted], to do all that beautiful work and just get erased from the film completely. What an absolute travesty. I guess the one silver lining is the one we all discussed that night when everything went down. The enormous success of this film will carry Wayfarer well through the rest of this decade, if not further. It also cements you not only as a Director, but as a true Producer, someone who knows the right material to pick and how to shepherd it all the way to an international blockbuster. That is no small talent! Take a much deserved rest, you need it. I think I might still be in recovery myself! Lots of love to all, despite everything that was thrown at this movie, WE DID IT!!!
September 2024
EDITOR #2: Saw the film last night. Still has a very strong ending! Hope you’re both well. Miss you both.
Saturday, September 7 at 4:26pm
BALDONI: Hi! Sorry for slow response – we finally took a vacation. Some parts are hard to see, others were put back how we had it. And yet strong ending that this thread deserves the credit for. One day we will finish our cut together. Love and appreciate you both. It’s changing and effecting lives, and while it was devastating and unnecessary… there is light amidst the clouds.
Sunday, September 8 at 4:50pm
EDITOR #2: So glad you got a vacation! I hope it was restful and replenishing. Yes, it was honestly quite hard to watch and I would, of course, love to show the world the beautiful version we did. If nothing else, I’d love to do a proper sound mix on it! Good grief. In any event, I’m so glad it’s touching people’s lives and is such financial success so that you can keep making amazing films! And so far, no one is knocking on my door so i’m enjoying some down time. Much love to you both.
BALDONI: If you think about it, we didn’t even finish our director’s cut because she intervened- so ideally at some point we can take a week and all just do it together for ourselves. But that opens up a can of worms, so we will need to let this play out for a while before we pull that card. And your door will be knocked on! / The amount of women who feel seen… that it’s reaching people all over the world, that men are remembering their own traumas and having conversations with their partners. That’s why we did this. And it worked. Still the dream team.
EDITOR #2: Incredible! / That’s the best news
EDITOR #1: Exactly, the most important thing
You can check out Megyn’s full interview with Freedman by tuning in to episode 977 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. And don’t forget that you can catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM’s Triumph (channel 111) weekdays from 12pm to 2pm ET.