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Justin Baldoni exposed an alleged text exchange he had with Blake Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, before the drama erupted on set of It Ends With Us.
In Touch obtained the alleged texts that Justin, 41, released as part of his amended complaint against Blake, 37, and Ryan, 48, in his lawsuit seeking $400 million in damages for alleged civil extortion and defamation.
Blake sued Justin for sexual harassment on set of It Ends With Us. She claimed he hired a crisis PR team to smear her in retaliation after she complained about his behavior.
Justin denied the claims and said Blake was the one who smeared him. He claimed she seized control of his film.
He claimed Blake and Ryan used bullying tactics and their power in Hollywood to push him out of the project following production. In his lawsuit, Justin revealed the alleged texts he sent and received with Ryan on February 28, 2023, before filming starting on the film.
In one alleged message, Justin wrote to Ryan, “I asked Blake for your number and have wanted to text you for a while now but my good ol nerves got the best of me. Emily [his wife] and I have a small circle. We live out in the country … and pretty much just hang out with each other. I don’t really have any close female friends that my wife isn’t also friends with, let alone married ones. And so I guess this is just an awkward text to say I’d like to be friends.”
He added, “Blake also sent the sweetest message to my wife unprompted saying something similar which just made me respect her and your union even more. I’ve been a supporter and admirer from afar of both of yours for years. You are in a class of your own, and I so appreciate the way you move.”
In the alleged text, Ryan responded, “Hey Justin — Sorry for the delay. I’ve been in a writing cave and the girls are sick … again.”
In the alleged message, he joked, “I’m told they HAVE an immune system but it’s in beta testing.”
The alleged text continued, “What a loving and generous message. Thank you. Were both looking forward to getting to know you and your family better. We’re also big fans over here. Since we met, and more-so after. You’ve been a wonderful collaborator with B and that means a great deal — to both of us. Being a stand up person is everything and you’ve been just that since day one. Thank you.”
The actor added in the alleged text, “You’ve hit the jackpot with B. She literally passes on every film and every filmmaker all the time. But one thing I know — and I speak from a deep wellspring of experience here, having her in your court behind the scenes, as a creative, is invaluable.”
The alleged message continued, “Some of the greatest creative decisions ‘I’ve’ made are in fact Blake.”
He added, “The acting is a small piece of pretty astounding patchwork quilt of creativity. More than anything, I rely on her taste. Far beyond movies, I rely on her taste for all aspects of my businesses. That multidimensional creative output is something I can see in BOTH of you. I’m excited for you to work together. I’m excited for Blake to crack open her creative piggy bank with someone as dynamic as you.”
In the alleged message, Ryan thanked Justin for “understanding what it means to me personally to have my family reunited as soon as possible.” He explained, “I can promise you. We’re hardwired for keeping our family together. It’s how to win us, and also how to kill us when we can’t. We never split up. Ever. It was a huge thing for us on the film, I tried to push our start date, but Marvel booked studios last July.”
Ryan appears to be referencing his shoot for 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine.
He continued, “I’ve been frantically smashing out my third pass of the script to address structural changes but mostly to get our budget down and shorten the shoot, so I can fly back with the girls when school starts.”
“All this to say, I’d have your line producer’s face tattooed to my perineum if he/she/they can figure out how to start two weeks earlier. Completely understand how big of an ask that is. But the perineum is one of the most nervy parts of the human body to expose to trauma. So…”
“I happen to adore you, Justin,” Ryan’s alleged message end.
Ryan and Blake denied all allegations of wrongdoing. Their lawyer said they plan to move to dismiss Justin’s lawsuit.
English (US) ·