New York, NY — Prior to initiating legal proceedings against Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director in “It Ends With Us,” Blake Lively had expressed the crucial role of intimacy coordinators in film production. In an interview with DigitalSpy in August 2024, three months before the lawsuit, the 37-year-old actress underscored the importance of choreographed movements in intimate scenes to ensure actor safety.
Lively likened the coordination required in intimate scenes to that of stunts or dance, suggesting that meticulous planning and consent are vital in these scenarios. “You coordinate stunts, you coordinate dancing, it is choreography,” Lively remarked, emphasizing the necessity of clarity and consensual agreement on the physical interactions that occur in front of the camera.
However, the atmosphere on the set of “It Ends With Us” soon deteriorated, leading to a contentious legal battle. On December 31, 2024, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni for alleged sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, and other charges in the Southern District of New York. Her legal actions extend beyond Baldoni; publicists Melissa Natahan and Jennifer Abel, along with Wayfarer Studios, are also named in the lawsuit.
Lively’s legal stance is mirrored in her complaint filed with the California Civil Rights Department, where she echoed her grievances from the lawsuit. “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted,” Lively stated, indicating a broader intent behind her legal pursuit.
In a twist of simultaneous legal filings, Baldoni responded by suing The New York Times for $250 million on the same day, accusing the major publication of libel and false light invasion of privacy. His lawsuit suggests that the Times engaged in selective reporting, which he claims has skewed public perception by omitting crucial contexts.
Complicating matters further, Baldoni’s legal team contends that Lively orchestrated a smear campaign to gain unilateral control of the film’s production, framing her actions as manipulative and strategic. They also claim that the Times succumbed to influence from Lively, compromising its journalistic integrity. According to Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, “The New York Times cowered to the wants and whims of two powerful ‘untouchable’ Hollywood elites.”
Additionally, the dispute between Lively and the intimacy coordination during filming adds another layer of controversy. Baldoni alleges that Lively never worked with an intimacy coordinator, contradicting her public statements on the essential nature of such roles in film. This allegation paints a starkly different picture of on-set dynamics and Lively’s advocacy for safety protocols in intimate scenes.
This complex lawsuit unfolds against a backdrop of rising concern and advocacy for safety and respect in Hollywood, particularly in situations involving intimacy on set. Both parties present compelling narratives, shaping a legal battle that may influence future industry standards and practices regarding intimacy coordination and actor safety.
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