Amid his ongoing legal dispute with Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, 

actor-director Justin Baldoni has made explosive claims regarding a statement allegedly drafted by the couple to address the negative press surrounding the film *It Ends with Us*.

According to a detailed timeline and amended complaint posted on Baldoni’s new website, 

Lively and Reynolds allegedly pressured him to take responsibility for the film’s troubled production and the backlash Lively received during its promotion.

In the complaint, Baldoni, 41, asserts that Lively, 37, and Reynolds, 48, were “furious” about what they perceived as unfair positioning of Lively in the promotional materials for the movie. 

The couple, who are known for their strong public personas, reportedly felt that Lively was being unjustly blamed for the issues surrounding the film. 

Baldoni’s legal team claims that in August 2024, Lively and Reynolds provided a statement they had drafted, asking Baldoni to take the blame for the negative press surrounding the film’s release.

The statement, as detailed in Baldoni’s complaint, reads: “*It Ends with Us was a troubled production which we take full accountability for. We are very sorry to everyone we caused upset to privately and publicly.*” The statement continues, *“Blake Lively, [author] Colleen Hoover, the entire cast and crew led with professionalism every step of the way, and any negativity aimed at them is ours to own. We mutually agreed that the cast would be promoting the film separately and understood why.”*

The statement was purportedly designed to mitigate the negative online attention that Lively had received throughout the film’s promotion. However, the tone of the statement, according to Baldoni’s legal filings, was not well-received. Baldoni’s legal team insists that the statement was vague and implied culpability without addressing the real issues at hand. It was further noted that the statement would likely have done more harm than good in terms of easing the scrutiny on Lively, contradicting its intended purpose.

The couple allegedly continued to press Baldoni to release the statement, warning that failure to comply would lead to more aggressive actions. Baldoni’s legal team claims that Lively and Reynolds told him, “*the gloves will come off*” if the statement was not issued, signaling that they were prepared to take more drastic measures.

Despite the pressure, Baldoni and his team refused to release the statement. Their refusal to issue the apology on behalf of the production company led to further tension. In the updated complaint, Baldoni’s team described their stance on the matter, stating that they firmly rejected any attempt to take responsibility for what they considered “non-existent issues.” They contended that Lively and Reynolds’ request for a public apology was both unjustified and misleading.

The controversy surrounding *It Ends with Us* escalated when, in December 2024, Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, as well as key players involved in the film, accusing them of sexual harassment and launching a smear campaign. Baldoni has vehemently denied these allegations and filed a countersuit, claiming defamation and extortion. He also named Reynolds and their publicist Leslie Sloane, as well as Sloane’s PR firm Vision PR, Inc., in the lawsuit.

In response to the lawsuits, Baldoni and his legal team have denied the harassment claims made by Lively and her team. Baldoni’s filing includes accusations of an orchestrated campaign to tarnish his reputation. They argue that the harassment accusations are unfounded and were made to gain leverage in the legal battle.

Baldoni’s legal filings, as shared on his new website, continue to paint a picture of a high-stakes legal battle that has resulted in significant tension between the two parties. His team is adamant that they will not be coerced into taking responsibility for issues they do not believe were present during the production of *It Ends with Us*.

As the situation continues to unfold, both Baldoni and Lively are standing firm in their respective positions. The case has gained considerable attention, not only because of the high-profile individuals involved but also due to the nature of the accusations and counterclaims. The public awaits further developments in this legal drama, which seems to be far from over.

This ongoing legal battle highlights the complexities of celebrity relationships, the pressures of public scrutiny, and the challenges of managing the image of a high-profile film production. As the case progresses, it remains to be seen whether Baldoni and Lively will be able to resolve their issues or if further legal action will complicate matters even more.

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