Listen To Justin Baldoni’s 2 A.M. Apology to Blake Lively Over ‘It Ends With Us’ Rewrites in Lengthy Voice Note: “I Am a Flawed Man”

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A recently uncovered voicemail shows filmmaker Justin Baldoni expressing regret over his response to Blake Lively‘s adjustments to the iconic rooftop scene in ‘It Ends With Us’, as part of the ongoing disagreement between the two.

In simpler terms, a six-minute video initially shared by ‘Daily Mail’ features Baldoni expressing his desire to smooth over any disagreements stemming from the revisions. Despite being recorded at “two in the morning,” the precise date of the recording is not clear.

In his recording, Baldoni acknowledges that he’s not perfect and has flaws. He admits he’ll make mistakes, possibly offend people, but he promises to apologize when he does and work to correct his course. One thing he’s certain of is his willingness to say “I’m sorry” if he causes hurt feelings.

The initial disagreement about script modifications was brought into public attention during Baldoni’s lawsuit against Blake Lively and her spouse, Ryan Reynolds, worth $400 million. In the course of this legal matter, Baldoni revealed text messages in which Lively voiced annoyance regarding his response to her suggested changes.

It seems we’ve been cultivating a connection, one that I feel has blossomed well. You might notice that we often communicate through text messages or voice notes late at night, and while this method works, it’s not my most comfortable means of communication. I thrive on personal interactions and being in someone’s presence, something I believe I struggle with a bit in our text-based conversations. However, I’m eagerly anticipating the opportunity to spend more time together, as I believe this will significantly enhance our bond, which I feel has been strong from the very beginning.

In a disagreement regarding significant modifications to the rooftop scene in ‘It Ends With Us’, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni found themselves at odds. Baldoni’s lawsuit, submitted on January 16, asserts that he had reservations about the changes, yet expressed gratitude towards Lively for her enthusiasm, indicating that the final version might be a combination of their respective ideas.

According to reports, Lively appeared to be upset by Baldoni’s response and stopped communicating for several days before sending an email expressing that his comment made her feel uncomfortable and reminiscing about past grievances involving other directors ignoring her creative ideas. This lawsuit was filed shortly after Lively initiated a separate lawsuit against Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and a defamation campaign following the release of the film.

In his voice message, Baldoni empathizes with Lively’s past challenges in the industry, criticizing filmmakers and producers who ignored her ideas. He expresses this bluntly by saying, “Those insensitive individuals.” He promises her that working together will be a distinct and positive experience for her.

Additionally, he acknowledges her strong bonds with Ryan Reynolds and Taylor Swift, whom she refers to as her “dragon companions.” Yet, in his legal dispute, Baldoni alleges that he was compelled to approve Lively’s alterations because of the sway of her influential inner circle.

Near the conclusion of the message, he playfully comments that he’s been talking for more than six minutes, expressing regret and stating, “‘I bet you have kids climbing all over you and a baby nursing“, followed by his greetings to Ryan Reynolds.

You can check out the full transcript below:

Hello Blake, it’s 2 a.m., and I hope this message doesn’t disturb you. Phew! There are many things I wish to express to you, and I eagerly look forward to the day when we can have a proper conversation, either via FaceTime or in person. For now, let me share some thoughts with you, though I don’t want to keep you for too long, given our history of lengthy voice memos.

First off, I’d like to extend an apology. Reading the second part of your previous message, my heart sank. I’m truly sorry for any discomfort or upset I may have caused.

Apologies for not meeting your expectations there, as a movie enthusiast, I truly appreciate the effort you put into it. The way you presented your work was exceptional, and I can only imagine how much time and emotion went into it. I simply want to express my gratitude for allowing me to be a part of that process. Sharing such personal feelings takes courage and vulnerability, and I feel deeply grateful that you trusted me enough to share your thoughts with me.

A crucial aspect about me is that I’m open to acknowledging and apologizing when I make mistakes. It’s important to be honest: I’m far from flawless. My wife can vouch for this, as she knows me well. I’m bound to slip up, I might say something inappropriate or hurtful, or even offend you. But rest assured, I will apologize and make amends. I promise to strive for improvement, learn from my mistakes, and always aim to find my way back on track. I regret causing you distress, it must have been unpleasant and I will certainly work harder next time. That weekend wasn’t my best, and I should have devoted more time to it.

Absolutely, you’re fortunate to have such wonderful friends. It’s clear they support you deeply, and honestly, everyone deserves friends like that. Beyond their incredible creativity, the synergy between the three of you is remarkable. I simply wanted to express my appreciation for your friendship, as it will undoubtedly elevate the movie, as you mentioned. I’m eager to work on the entire project with you. I look forward to spending time with you, being in your company, and collaborating creatively. Although that phrase might sound awkward.

It seems we’ve been cultivating a relationship, one that I believe we’ve managed well so far. You know, it’s late at night and here I am, typing on my phone, but our interactions have mostly been through text messages and voice notes. To be honest, that’s not really my forte. I thrive in social settings, being with people, and immersing myself in their environment. I feel I excel in face-to-face conversations. Unfortunately, I’ve noticed some shortcomings in our text and voice note exchanges. There’s just so much that can be lost in those formats.

But, looking ahead, I’m really excited about the prospect of spending more time together. I believe this will significantly enhance our connection, which I feel has been there from the start. So, when you proposed working on this film together, I was genuinely thrilled and couldn’t wait to collaborate with you!

I sensed a shared energy between us when we first met, and I believe our mutual dedication, ambition, and refusal to compromise are key factors. I’m thrilled about the prospect of collaborating creatively with you on this. It’s incredibly exciting, and there’s so much more I wish to discuss. There’s one point I feel compelled to bring up: I’m deeply sorry for the hardships you’ve faced with past filmmakers or producers. It infuriates me, and it’s disheartening that such treatment is unfortunately common in our industry, particularly for women. However, I want to assure you that this will not be your experience with me.

Working with Blake Lively is my ultimate dream, and I am eager to collaborate with her on this project. As such, I have no reservations about sending you the Final Draft file. In fact, I am completely at ease with that arrangement. The only reason I didn’t send it today was because I wanted to incorporate your suggestions into my current draft, which I am currently revising extensively. This means there will be a lot of new changes and additions to the script, but rest assured, I will send it to you as soon as possible without any further delay. I hope this experience brings a sense of healing and renewal for both of us because that is all I truly desire.

I hope this movie will be healing for people. I want it to resonate with a wide audience, just like your work does, and make an impact on them. I’d like to share my entire plan for the project we’re working on with No More, a domestic violence organization. I have high hopes that this project can be truly unique and powerful. We both play crucial roles in making it successful. There’s so much more I want to discuss, but I don’t want to bore you. It’s been over six minutes, so I apologize if I’ve rambled on too long. I know you have other responsibilities, especially with children and a baby, and I hope you’re doing well. Please pass my regards to Ryan.

I tried to maintain the original sentiment while making the language more conversational, easier to read, and less informal.

I truly appreciate you sharing such intimate thoughts with me. It’s a privilege I don’t take lightly. I’m eagerly looking forward to delving deeper into your perspective in future discussions. For now, it’s time for me to sign off. Goodnight!

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2025-01-29 12:45