Justin Baldoni is taking legal action against his former co-star, Blake Lively, following allegations of sexual harassment and a smear campaign. Lively had previously sued Baldoni for sexual harassment after their collaboration on the film 'It Ends With Us,' based on a Colleen Hoover novel. Since the movie's premiere in August, Lively has accused Baldoni of participating in a deliberate effort to tarnish her reputation.
Baldoni's legal team has sent a litigation holding letter to Disney's Bob Iger and Marvel's Kevin Feige, requesting the preservation of all relevant documents and data. The letter, which typically precedes a lawsuit, specifically asks Marvel to safeguard materials related to the creation of the 'Deadpool' franchise. Baldoni's lawyer insinuated that Ryan Reynolds, Lively's husband, had mocked Baldoni through the character 'Nicepool' in the 'Deadpool & Wolverine' series.
The complaint filed by Lively detailed allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, emotional distress, and negligence against Baldoni and film producer Jamey Heath. Lively reportedly raised concerns about their behavior in a meeting attended by Reynolds.
Responding to the allegations, Baldoni's lawyer dismissed them as false and salacious, leading to a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times. Lively's legal team maintains that her claims are supported by concrete evidence and are not merely a result of creative differences.
The ongoing legal battle between Baldoni and Lively underscores the complexities of addressing workplace misconduct and the importance of preserving evidence in such cases.
