‘It Ends With Us’ director Justin Baldoni, along with his production house ‘Wayfarer Studios’ have filed a $400 million defamation suit against actor Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, over damages to his future income after the actress accused him of sexual harassment.

In her complaint, the actress had alleged that Baldoni attempted to mount a smear campaign against her and claims his behavior caused her and her family “severe emotional harm”, reported an entertainment website.

Bryan Freedman, a lawyer for Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios, had earlier fired back at Lively’s complaint in a statement.

As per reports, he called it “shameful” and full of “categorically false accusations”. The complaint lodged with the California Civil Rights department, states that a meeting was held in January of 2024 to address Lively’s claims and her demands for returning to work on ‘It Ends With Us’ after the actors and writers strikes had ended, allowing production to resume. Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, was reportedly in attendance at the meeting.

At that meeting, Lively complained that Baldoni had discussed Lively’s weight with her trainer, pressed her to disclose her religious beliefs and talked about his sex life in inappropriate ways. Lively also complained that Jamey Heath, one of the producers of the film and the CEO of Wayfarer Studios, showed Lively a video of his wife naked and giving birth.

Lively also alleged that both Baldoni and Heath entered her makeup trailer without getting her permission first, “including when she was breastfeeding her infant child.” It goes on to state that “the concerns (Lively) raised were not only for herself, but for the other female cast and crew, some of whom had also spoken up”.

Blake Lively achieved recognition for her portrayal of Serena van der Woodsen in the teen drama television series ‘Gossip Girl’.

(with inputs from syndicated feed)