The ongoing legal battle between actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has taken a disturbing turn, with new allegations surfacing in Lively’s amended complaint that includes a shocking reference to the Israel-Gaza conflict that has raised eyebrows and concerns.
The lawsuit stems from the 2024 film It Ends With Us and involves Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios. At the centre of this new development is Steve Sarowitz, the co-founder and co-chairman of the company.
According to Lively’s complaint, Sarowitz allegedly made alarming statements comparing potential actions against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, to Israel’s military campaign against Hamas.
The complaint, acquired by PEOPLE, alleges that Sarowitz told a witness, “I will protect the studio like Israel protected itself from Hamas. There were 39,000 dead bodies. There will be two dead bodies when I’m done. Minimum.”
Sarowitz reportedly clarified that he didn’t mean actual deaths.
“Not dead but ‘you’re dead to me’ so that kind of dead,” he continued, according to the complaint.
He said he would “spend a lot of money to make sure the studio is protected”.
This alleged incident is part of a broader set of accusations in Lively’s amended complaint. The actress claims that she wasn’t the only one who felt uncomfortable with Baldoni’s behaviour on set. According to the complaint, two other actresses are prepared to testify about their experiences, though their names have been withheld to protect their privacy.
Lively’s legal team argues that these new details provide “significant additional evidence and corroboration of her original claims”. They assert Lively raised her concerns in 2023, contradicting the defence’s narrative of a power play for control of the film.
Meanwhile, Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, has dismissed the amended complaint as “underwhelming” and “filled with unsubstantial hearsay of unnamed persons”. Freedman maintains that his clients have provided evidence that tells “a completely different story”, per a statement via PEOPLE.
The legal drama began in December when Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and participating in a retaliatory smear campaign. Baldoni has denied these claims and countersued for $400 million, alleging that Lively and Reynolds attempted to destroy his career.
Both parties have met once in court as they were warned by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman about litigating through the media. The judge has suggested he might set an earlier trial date if the public relations battle continues.
The trial is currently scheduled trial in March 2026.
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