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Justin Baldoni is reportedly planning to countersue Blake Lively after she filed a sexual harassment lawsuit.
The pair co-starred in the film, based on the Colleen Hoover book of the same name, that was released in August. Despite the box office success, the behind-the-scenes details have become the talking point.
It Ends With Us star Lively, 37, began legal proceedings against the director earlier this month.
Lively has alleged that Baldoni, behaved inappropriately on set. Her claims in an 80-page legal document accuses Baldoni of ‘repeated sexual harassment and other disturbing behaviour’.
Lively’s complaint claims that during filming, the atmosphere on set became so uncomfortable that an all-staff meeting was called to try and work through the problems creating a hostile set.
The studio behind the romantic drama are also accused of embarking on a ‘multi-tiered plan’ to damage Lively’s reputation.
In the complaint for damages, which precedes a lawsuit, Baldoni, his publicists and Wayfarer Studios, who produced the film, are listed among the defendants. Baldoni and his team have denied the allegations.
The Daily Mail now reports that Baldoni, his business partner/Wayfarer Studios CEO Jamey Heath and the publicists named in Lively’s complaint are preparing a counter-lawsuit.
It is said the papers will be filed by attorney Freedman when the courts reopen on January 2. The publication alleges that the filing will claim that; Lively’s Vision PR team were responsible for smears against Baldoni and planted stories, messages from Baldoni’s team have been presented out of context, and that Lively’s legal move is to rebuild her public image.
Following the report by Daily Mail, Vision PR boss Leslie Sloane told Deadline: ‘I was contacted on 8/11 by Sara Nathan (Melissa Nathan’s sister) forwarding an anonymous tip that Page Six received, regarding allegations of HR complaints on the set of It Ends with Us.
‘After that, I was contacted by various press outlets asking about allegations of HR complaints. When contacted, I responded to press questions by referring them to Wayfarer or Sony for information regarding HR complaints.
‘It’s clear that Mr. Baldoni and his Wayfarer Associates are suggesting that I originated press stories about HR complaints on set, which is false. Please read Ms. Lively’s Complaint and the Complaint filed by Jonesworks LLC and Stephanie Jones, which provides the details of the campaign against my client.’
Freedman has not commented on if the claims of a countersue are true. However, he also provided a statement to the publication.
‘I am not going to speak to when or how many lawsuits we are filing but when we file our first lawsuit, it is going to shock everyone who has been manipulated into believing a demonstrably false narrative,’ it began.
‘It will be supported by real evidence and tell the true story. In over 30 years of practicing, I have never seen this level of unethical behavior intentionally fueled through media manipulation. It reminds me of what NBC tried to do to Megyn Kelly and Gabrielle Union and we all know how that ended up. Standby.’
Unearthed texts reportedly from Baldoni’s publicist to the studio,
Columbia Pictures Wayfarer Studios’ publicist, claiming he ‘wants to feel like [Ms. Lively] can be buried’ were obtained through a subpoena as part of the case.
One exchange between public relationships executives said to be involved in the campaign depicts them gleefully discussing how ‘easy’ it was to turn people online against Lively.
After feedback from Baldoni’s team, Melissa Nathan — who worked with Johnny Depp during the Amber Heard trial — allegedly said: ‘We can’t write we will destroy her.’
During the promotion of the film earlier this year, Lively was the centre of huge backlash as people complained about her seemingly light-hearted approach to promoting a film that includes heavy themes such as domestic violence.
However, the discussion rapidly turned from the film promotion to unearthing old interviews with Lively or generally criticising her style, personality, and life.
In a statement through her attorney at the time of filing, Lively said: ‘I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.’
Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman said in a statement provided to Just Jared: ‘TAG PR operated as any other crisis management firm would when hired by a client experiencing threats by two extremely powerful people with unlimited resources.
‘The standard scenario planning TAG PR drafted proved unnecessary as audiences found Lively’s own actions, interviews and marketing during the promotional tour distasteful, and responded organically to that which the media themselves picked up on.
‘It’s ironic that the New York Times, through their effort to ‘uncover’ an insidious PR effort, played directly into the hands of Lively’s own dubious PR tactics by publishing leaked personal text exchanges that lack critical context — the very same tactics she’s accusing the firm of implementing.’
He also added: ‘These claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media.’
Metro has contacted Lively and Baldoni’s representatives for comment.
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