Justin Baldoni’s Lawyer Calls Blake Lively an ‘Elitist Manipulator’ Amid It Ends With Us Legal Battle: Know Full Statement

by

The ongoing legal dispute between director Justin Baldoni and leading man of ‘It Ends With Us‘, and actress Blake Lively, has taken a sharp turn with Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s attorney, openly criticizing Lively as an ‘elitist manipulator’. This criticism followed her attempt to dismiss Baldoni’s countersuit. The case, originating from accusations of harassment and defamation, is now one of the most heated legal conflicts in Hollywood.

In a strong response, Bryan Freedman, standing for Baldoni in the high-profile lawsuit, issued a statement criticizing Lively’s legal tactics. He claimed that Lively has been misusing the court system and manipulating legal safeguards to serve her own interests.

Regarding Lively’s latest attempt to step away from the predicament she herself created, Freedman expressed his disapproval, labeling it a reprehensible misuse of our legal system. He emphasized that laws should not be manipulated or tailored by privileged individuals for their personal advantage.

The disagreement originated from a string of legal actions initiated by both sides. In December, Lively claimed Baldoni had sexually harassed her, whereas Baldoni later retaliated with a lawsuit accusing Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her representative Leslie Sloane for defamation and extortion, amounting to $400 million. Both parties have refuted the accusations made against them.

Lively’s legal representatives, headed by attorneys Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, countered her motion to throw out the case. They claimed Baldoni’s lawsuit was a severe misuse of the legal system, infringing on California laws designed to safeguard victims from harassment retaliation. In their argument, they stated that the defamation claim collides with numerous legal hurdles, such as fair report privileges and anti-SLAPP safeguards.

In the heat of the escalating courtroom saga, Baldoni’s legal team has additionally leveled charges against Lively and her associates for intentionally sensationalizing the case. Simultaneously, they claim that Lively disclosed private information from a legal complaint submitted to the California Civil Rights Department in December, skillfully leveraging media attention to her benefit.

Moreover, Baldoni’s lawyers have expressed disapproval towards Reynolds for joking about the matter in a pre-planned sketch during the SNL 50th anniversary special this month. They claim that the pair is trying to manipulate the storyline while downplaying the gravity of the accusations against them.

In response, Lively’s lawyers argued that they and other parties in the case had faced threats and harassment. They asked the court to limit access to confidential information due to worries about privacy violations and potential witness intimidation.

During the making of “It Ends With Us,” Sony Pictures, who distributed the film, reportedly had to step in as mediator between the parties involved due to conflicts. According to a recent report from The Hollywood Reporter, it was alleged that Sony executives prioritized Blake Lively’s well-being over that of Baldoni, adding complexity to the power struggles happening behind the scenes.

In this ongoing court case, both parties are steadfast in their stances. Baldoni’s camp insists on making Lively answer for her actions, while Lively’s team counters that the lawsuit is an underhanded attempt to suppress her voice. With the trial scheduled for March 2026, the entertainment world anticipates a courtroom face-off that could shape how the industry addresses workplace misconduct accusations and future legal disagreements.

Read More

2025-03-21 10:52