The bitter feud between the “It Ends With Us” costars has been unfolding in public for nearly two years.
Justin Baldoni’s lawyer says the actor-director is “feeling pretty good” in the wake of the resolution of his highly publicized legal battle against his It Ends With Us costar Blake Lively.
“It was a huge victory,” attorney Bryan Freedman said on TMZ Live of the recent settlement. “It was an incredible opportunity, and I don’t think you pass up an incredible opportunity,”
Freedman’s remarks come after representatives for Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios and for Lively jointly announced that they’d reached a settlement ahead of an impending trial.
“The end product — the movie It Ends With Us — is a source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life,” the parties said in a statement. “Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors — and all survivors — is a goal that we stand behind. We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognize concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard.”
They added, “We remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments. It is our sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online.”
The bitter saga has been in public view for nearly two years. At first, rumors swirled of a feud between Lively and Baldoni as the duo didn’t promote their film together, despite Baldoni serving as the director and onscreen love interest to Lively. In December 2024, Lively filed a complaint against him with the California Civil Rights Department alleging sexual harassment and his coordination of a smear campaign.
In her complaint, Lively alleged that Baldoni engaged in “invasive, unprofessional, and sexually inappropriate behavior” and claimed that he hired a crisis relations firm ahead of the movie’s premiere to facilitate a “sophisticated, coordinated, and well-financed retaliation plan” against her. Baldoni’s attorney described Lively’s allegations as “completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.”

Blake Lively would formally sue Baldoni in New York federal court on New Year’s Eve. He responded by filing a countersuit against Lively and her, husband Ryan Reynolds, in January 2025, demanding $400 million in damages and accusing them of defamation, civil extortion, breach of contract, and other offenses. Baldoni’s lawsuit was thrown out by a judge in June.
Baldoni and Lively were on course for a trial this month that would have focused on her claims of breach of contract, retaliation in violation of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, and aiding and abetting in retaliation in violation of FEHA. Judge Lewis Liman recently dismissed 10 of Lively’s 13 claims, including allegations of sexual harassment, defamation, and conspiracy against Baldoni.
Freedman argues that Baldoni “technically” never settled a case, rather that he “won” when the judge gave the summary judgment that excluded the aforementioned accusations.
“He could breathe again,” the lawyer said of his client’s reaction. “To be accused of sexual harassment on such a public level is devastating. What he went through, I get emotional speaking about it because he’s such a great human being and stands for everything that is good about women and supporting women.”

Despite all the offscreen drama, It Ends With Us was a commercial success, grossing $351 million at the worldwide box office on a reported $25 million budget. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Colleen Hoover. In most circumstances, the film’s financial boom would make a sequel a guarantee, but Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios hold the rights to the follow up novel, It Starts With Us.
News
JUST IN: “WILLIAM WENT THERE. HARRY WENT THERE. NOW GEORGE IS NEXT.” PALACE CONFIRMS HUGE DECISION ABOUT THE FUTURE KING’S EDUCATION
Prince George is off to Eton! Young royal, 12, will follow in William’s footsteps and attend prestigious school Prince George will follow in his father’s footsteps and enrol at Eton, Kensington Palace have announced. In a short statement, the palace…
BREAKING TODAY: “THE DECISION IS MADE.” PRINCE GEORGE TO FOLLOW PRINCE WILLIAM’S PATH AS PALACE CONFIRMS MAJOR SCHOOL MOVE
Prince George is off to Eton! Young royal, 12, will follow in William’s footsteps and attend prestigious school Prince George will follow in his father’s footsteps and enrol at Eton, Kensington Palace have announced. In a short statement, the palace…
“A FAMILY SAID GOODNIGHT TO THEIR SON… THEY NEVER SAW HIM AGAIN.” 4 TEENS SENTENCED IN DECLAN CUTLER CASE AS D3VASTATING DETAILS RESURFACE
Teenagers jailed over murder of 16yo Declan Cutler outside party in Melbourne’s north The family of murdered teenager Declan Cutler sobbed in court as a Supreme Court judge recounted the last moments of the 16-year-old’s life before he was stabbed…
“IT’S THE END”: FOUR TEENS JAILED OVER DECLAN CUTLER CASE AS COURT REVEALS HORRIFIC FINAL MOMENTS
Teenagers jailed over murder of 16yo Declan Cutler outside party in Melbourne’s north The family of murdered teenager Declan Cutler sobbed in court as a Supreme Court judge recounted the last moments of the 16-year-old’s life before he was stabbed…
“HE NEVER KNEW HIS ATT*CKERS… THEN HIS LIFE CHANGED IN SECONDS.” FINAL MEMBER OF ETHAN HOAC TRIO FOUND GUILTY AS NEW DETAILS EMERGES
Trio found guilty of murdering 14yo Ethan Hoac in St Albans machete attack A judge says it is hard to comprehend the brutal murder of Ethan Hoac. (Supplied) In short: A third man has been found guilty of the murder…
THIRD TEEN FOUND GUILTY OVER ETHAN HOAC CASE — CH1LLING DETAILS RESURFACE
Trio found guilty of murdering 14yo Ethan Hoac in St Albans machete attack A judge says it is hard to comprehend the brutal murder of Ethan Hoac. (Supplied) In short: A third man has been found guilty of the murder of…
End of content
No more pages to load