Newly released court documents have shed light on a dramatic behind-the-scenes feud during the production of the film It Ends with Us, revealing that actress Blake Lively appears to have reached out to fellow Hollywood star Ben Affleck for assistance in her dispute with director and co-star Justin Baldoni.
Email Correspondence Unveiled in Legal Battle
Amid an ongoing legal conflict between Lively and Baldoni, recently unsealed court filings include an email that the actress wrote to a recipient strongly believed to be Ben Affleck, though his name has been redacted in the documents. The message was sent in May 2024 during the post-production phase of the film, a period during which Lively and Baldoni—both of whom held producing credits on the project—reportedly clashed fiercely over creative direction.
Creative Clashes and Competing Edits
The dispute allegedly escalated to the point where Lively and Baldoni assembled competing edits of the film, reflecting their divergent visions for the final product. In her purported email to Affleck, who previously directed Lively in the 2010 crime drama The Town, she explicitly requested that he "watch the movie and give me any ideas or notes" on her version of the cut.
Lively described the experience as "the most upsetting experience I've ever had on a movie," adding that a making-of documentary about the film would be more compelling than the movie itself. She colourfully compared the production chaos to a combination of Wild Wild Country, the Fyre Festival, and Going Clear, with elements of The Room.
Allegations of HR Issues and Creative Control
In the correspondence, Lively hinted at "wild HR issues" related to Baldoni, who has consistently denied her allegations of sexual harassment in the formal complaint that initiated their legal battle. She claimed to have "ended up rewriting and restructuring the entire script" and described having to direct the film through what she characterised as a "chaotic clown 'director'/actor/producer/financier/studio head at the centre."
Lively further alleged that everyone among Baldoni's hires appeared to be "in a cult," painting a picture of a deeply troubled production environment. She requested that Affleck, the Oscar-winning director of Argo, provide guidance via "a voice memo" before she was left to "duke it out" with Baldoni over the final edit.
Involvement of Additional Hollywood Figures
The court documents also reveal that Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, allegedly sent messages to Affleck's close friend Matt Damon and his wife Luciana Barroso, in which they criticised Baldoni for his "enormous ego." In these communications, Lively reiterated that the "movie nearly killed me," and described Baldoni as having "zero experience" but "no taste" and an inflated self-image.
Barroso reportedly offered sympathy for Lively's "awful" ordeal, while Damon expressed willingness to help, even jokingly inviting her to direct her next project at his production company Artists Equity, which he described as "kind of like a cult but a really nice one."
Seeking Feedback from Affleck's Circle
In her email to Affleck, Lively also solicited feedback from his then-wife Jennifer Lopez and his children from his previous marriage to Jennifer Garner—Violet, Fin, and Samuel. She expressed admiration for Lopez, stating "I'm such a fan of Jennifer's" and that it would be "an honor to have her take" on the film.
Lively emphasised the personal toll of the production, writing "This movie nearly killed me. And I can think of very few people who would be as prescriptive and insightful as I know you would be," while assuring Affleck there was "zero pressure" in her request for his input.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings and Industry Reactions
The release of these documents comes as part of the protracted legal battle between Lively and Baldoni, which began with her formal complaint alleging sexual harassment—allegations that Baldoni has vehemently denied. Representatives for both Affleck and Damon have been contacted for comment regarding their alleged involvement in the dispute, though no official statements have been released at this time.
This revelation offers a rare glimpse into the sometimes turbulent dynamics of Hollywood film production, where creative differences can escalate into legal conflicts and involve multiple high-profile industry figures. The case continues to unfold in the courts, with further developments expected as both parties pursue their respective claims.
