Monday, 17 Mar 2025

Justin Baldoni claims Blake Lively held 'film hostage' over use of Taylor Swift song

Justin Baldoni has accused Blake Lively of holding their film, "It Ends With Us," hostage over the use of the Taylor Swift song, "My Tears Ricochet."


Justin Baldoni claims Blake Lively held 'film hostage' over use of Taylor Swift song
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"While Lively is holding the Film hostage in the edit room, she is simultaneously stalling the Film's marketing by refusing to approve key materials, including the trailer release," the timeline states, alongside screenshots of various messages between the three individuals. 

"Lively will not approve the trailer release unless she is granted more time in the edit room with her personal editor. Adding to the pressure, Lively made a veiled threat, implying she might 'change her mind' about reaching out to Taylor Swift to secure the use of 'My Tears Ricochet' for the trailer if her demands are not met."

Swift's song "My Tears Ricochet" was used in the film's first trailer as well as a scene in the movie. 

Baldoni - who named Swift in his original lawsuit - claimed Lively used her friendship with the pop star to threaten him and the film's production. 

While working on the film, Lively insisted on rewriting the infamous 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.

Lively shared a lengthy response, in which she referred to Swift and Reynolds as "dragons" who protect her.

"Both Ryan and [redacted] have established themselves as absolute titans as writers and storytellers outside of their primary gig - just singing or just acting or [redacted] just directing. I'm so lucky to have them as creative barometers," Lively's alleged text, included in the complaint, read. "But also to have them as people who prop me up and make sure I'm seen for all I can, and do offer. Because they know firsthand all I contribute. They also know I'm not always as good at making sure I'm seen and utilized for fear of threatening egos, or fear of affecting the ease of the process. They don't give a s--- about that. And because of that, everyone listens to them with immense respect and enthusiasm. So I guess I have to stop worrying about people liking me."

Baldoni believed "the message could not have been clearer," according to the lawsuit. "Baldoni was not just dealing with Lively. He was also facing Lively's 'dragons,' two of the most influential and wealthy celebrities in the world, who were not afraid to make things very difficult for him."

After the release, Lively's legal team demanded a gag order be issued against Baldoni's lawyer. 

Lively's team slammed Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, for making multiple statements to the media that could taint a jury should the actress's sexual harassment complaints against Baldoni make it to a courtroom.

WATCH: JUSTIN BALDONI RELEASES UNEDITED 'IT ENDS WITH US' FOOTAGE FEATURING BLAKE LIVELY

"As Ms. Lively's counsel have attempted, repeatedly, to caution Mr. Freedman, federal litigation must be conducted in court and according to the relevant rules of professional conduct," a letter, obtained by Fox News Digital, stated. 

"His conduct threatens to, and will, materially prejudice both the Lively Case and the Wayfarer (Studios) Case by tainting the jury pool, because his statements are deliberately aimed at undermining the 'character, credibility, [and] reputation' of numerous relevant parties."

On Jan. 23, Baldoni's lawyers filed a response, calling Lively's gag order attempt an "intimidation tactic" and "tactical gamesmanship."

Fox News Digital's Lauryn Overhultz and Tracy Wright contributed to this report. 

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