Justin Baldoni, actor and co-producer of the movie adaptation It Ends With Us, has filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times. The legal action, announced on December 21, targets the newspaper’s article titled ‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine. Baldoni, along with publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, accuses the publication of libel and invasion of privacy, claiming the report misrepresented facts and presented a biased narrative.
The lawsuit alleges the article relied heavily on actor Blake Lively’s unverified claims of sexual harassment against Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath, while ignoring evidence contradicting her statements. Baldoni’s legal team has described the article as ‘cherry-picked’ and misleading, adding that it falsely portrayed Lively as a victim to manipulate the production process.
Allegations, Counterclaims, and Industry Fallout
The Times article detailed accusations of sexual harassment allegedly involving Baldoni and Heath. The report suggested that Blake Lively used the claims strategically to gain influence over the movie’s production. Baldoni, however, has countered these allegations, arguing that the article failed to present a balanced account and caused significant damage to his reputation.
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This controversy adds to the ongoing tensions surrounding the movie’s production, which has been plagued by conflicts between key figures, including Lively and Baldoni.
Social Media Backlash: Fans Weigh In
Amid the legal battle, fans and critics have expressed frustration over the drama surrounding It Ends With Us. Social media users have been vocal about their discontent, with one user commenting, “I can’t believe how much mess has happened over this total crap movie.” Another wrote, “The irony is, it’s a real-life metaphor for the movie’s destructive and hurtful themes.”
Reddit users were equally critical, with one sarcastically comparing the movie to a child’s pizza review: ‘My daughter’s iPhone pizza review was better than this movie.’ Others dismissed the film’s source material, stating, ‘The first mistake was adapting a Colleen Hoover book.’
A Controversy Bigger Than the Movie
The legal and social fallout has overshadowed the movie itself, with some observers noting that the drama mirrors the destructive themes portrayed in the film. As the lawsuit unfolds, the controversy shows no signs of slowing down, leaving fans and critics wondering if the real-life saga will overshadow the cinematic experience entirely.
