A recently resurfaced interview from the 2022 Forbes Power Women’s Summit has reignited conversations about Blake Lively’s approach to filmmaking. 

In the interview, Lively, 37, discussed her need to have a hands-on role in storytelling, something that was not always welcomed by directors and producers. 

With It Ends With Us now at the center of a high-profile legal battle between Lively 

and director Justin Baldoni, her past comments about creative control are drawing fresh scrutiny.

Lively’s Perspective: Wanting More Than Just an Acting Role

During the Forbes interview, Lively reflected on her early career experiences, noting that she once felt the pressure to conform to what others expected of her.

“When I was younger, in my life and career, I would sort of shape myself to the version of myself that I thought they wanted,” she said. “Or when I would show up on a set, I knew that they just wanted me to show up and look cute and stand on a little pink sticker where I’m supposed to go and say what I’m supposed to say.”

However, Lively made it clear that simply delivering lines was never enough for her. She wanted to be involved in shaping characters, writing, costume design, and overall storytelling. While some filmmakers embraced her enthusiasm, others pushed back.

“Sometimes, I had directors or producers or writers who would welcome that and invite that once they saw that I was able to offer that,” she explained. “And sometimes, I would have people who really resented that because they were like, ‘We just hired you to be an actor.’”

Clashes Behind the Scenes: A Pattern of Creative Tension?

Lively’s remarks from 2022 align with recent claims in the legal feud surrounding It Ends With Us. Baldoni’s lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, alleges that the actress overstepped her role and attempted to control the production. One key incident cited in the lawsuit involves Lively rewriting a pivotal rooftop scene in the film.

According to Baldoni’s complaint, Lively insisted on making changes to the script despite his reservations. He eventually agreed to review her version, but after meeting with Lively at her New York City home, Baldoni claims he felt pressured by her and Reynolds—as well as their close friend, Taylor Swift—to adopt her rewrite.

The lawsuit states, “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.”

These allegations highlight the same tensions Lively described in her Forbes interview—directors sometimes feeling blindsided by her desire to have more creative input than they expected.

Legal Battle Escalates: Lively and Baldoni’s Competing Lawsuits

The dispute between Lively and Baldoni has rapidly escalated into one of Hollywood’s biggest legal battles in recent years. In December, Lively filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, and his former PR team. She alleged that Baldoni created a toxic work environment on the set of It Ends With Us.

In response, Baldoni filed a staggering $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively and Reynolds. His legal team claims that Lively not only spread false allegations but also used her influence to turn cast members and industry insiders against him. Court documents point to the fact that several actors from the film—including Isabela Ferrer—unfollowed Baldoni on social media, suggesting a coordinated effort to alienate him.

Adding to the legal chaos, Baldoni had previously sued The New York Times for $250 million, accusing the publication of running a smear campaign against him based on Lively’s allegations.

Blake Lively’s Ongoing Push for Creative Influence

Despite the controversy, Lively’s desire to have a voice in filmmaking is nothing new. Her Forbes interview underscored how she has long felt the need for “authorship” in her projects.

“I wouldn’t reveal that I actually need to have authorship in order to feel fulfilled,” she admitted. “So, I think that for them, sometimes that might have felt like a rug pull because you’re like, you’re trying to assert yourself into something that we didn’t hire you to do.”

Her comments suggest that she has often struggled to balance her creative ambitions with industry expectations. In many ways, her conflict with Baldoni appears to be an extension of that ongoing struggle.

What’s Next? The Road to Trial

As the legal battle continues, the lawsuit is set to go to trial on March 9, 2026. Until then, both parties are expected to continue fighting their cases in court and in the court of public opinion.

While Lively has not publicly commented on Baldoni’s claims regarding It Ends With Us, her past statements about wanting more control over projects may provide insight into why tensions escalated behind the scenes. Whether this legal battle will have long-term repercussions on her career—or Baldoni’s—remains to be seen.

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