Blake Lively and her two ‘dragons’

A raft of shock new claims have emerged in Justin Baldoni’s $400M defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds.

Lively and Reynolds were sued for defamation Thursday by Baldoni and his publicists, who say the actress cooked up a scheme to kill their careers and discredit them by making false accusations of Sєxual harᴀssment. 

Court papers obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com accuse Lively and Reynolds of using their combined star power to hijack the domestic abuse movie It Ends With Us, which Baldoni co-starred in and directed.

The new defamation action is the latest broadside in a spiraling legal battle that began just before Christmas when Lively sued Baldoni, claiming he Sєxually harᴀssed her and created a toxic work environment on the set of the film. He has staunchly denied the allegations.

Baldoni’s fightback lawsuit includes a string of astonishing accusations against Lively – including one that appears to involve her best friend Taylor Swift.

Now DailyMail.com looks at the new claims…

A raft of shock new claims have emerged in Justin Baldoni’s (left) $400M defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively (right) and her husband Ryan Reynolds 

Blake Lively and her two ‘dragons’

Baldoni has claimed Lively referred to her husband Ryan Reynolds and a ‘megacelebrity friend’ as her ‘dragons’; Lively and Reynolds pictured at the It Ends With Us premiere

In his lawsuit, Baldoni claims that Lively at one point sent him a rewritten version of a rooftop scene that occurred between their two characters.

Baldoni insists that he expressed only ‘extremely mild resistance’ to her changes, but that Lively was ‘seemingly stung’ by his response and enlisted the help of Reynolds and a ‘megacelebrity friend’ in order to get her way.

Read More Game of Thrones fans react to Blake Lively comparing herself to the show’s ‘villain’ in text to Justin Baldoni

After news of the legal filing broke, the ‘megacelebrity’ was widely ᴀssumed to have been Lively’s best friend Taylor Swift.

The suit claimed that a meeting occurred during which ‘Lively summoned Baldoni to her New York penthouse where Baldoni was greeted by Ryan Reynolds, who launched into enthusiastic praise for Lively’s version of the scene.

‘Hours later, as the meeting was ending, a famous, and famously close, friend of Reynolds and Lively, walked into the room and similarly began praising Lively’s script. Baldoni understood the subtext: he needed to comply with Lively’s direction for the script,’ the legal documents alleged further.

When Baldoni texted Lively that he ‘liked her pages and hadn’t needed Reynolds and her megacelebrity friend to pressure him,’ he allegedly received a reply in which Lively referred to Reynolds and Swift as her ‘dragons.’

After news of the legal filing broke, the ‘megacelebrity’ was widely ᴀssumed to have been Lively’s best friend Taylor Swift; the two women are pictured together 

She also supposedly stated that her ‘dragons’ did not ‘give a s***’ about ‘threatening egos, or affecting the ease of the process,’ which was why ‘everyone listens to them with tremendous respect and enthusiasm.’

Baldoni’s suit ᴀsserted: ‘The message could not have been clearer. Baldoni was not just dealing with Lively. He was also facing Lively’s “dragons,” two of the most influential and wealthy celebrities in the world, who were not afraid to make things very difficult for him.’

In screen-grabs of a text conversation included in the lawsuit, Lively allegedly referred to herself as ‘Khaleesi,’ another name for the Game Of Thrones character Danaerys Targaryen, known as the Mother Of Dragons.

Khaleesi is initially one of the protagonists of the show, but by end of the final season she has snapped and become a maniacal villain hellbent on domination at any cost.

In the screen-grabs, Lively jokes that if Baldoni ever got ‘around to watching Game of Thrones’ he would ‘appreciate that’ she was Khaleesi.

She is said to have added: ‘And like her, I happen to have a few dragons. For better or worse, but usually for better. Because my dragons also protect those I fight for. So really we all benefit from those gorgeous monsters of mine. you will too, I can promise you.’

Served with papers during the Los Angeles fires

Baldoni, pictured with Lively on the set of It Ends With Us, claims that the ‘defendants’ were served with legal papers while attempting to evacuate their homes amid the Los Angeles fires 

Lively has sued not only Baldoni but also Jamey Heath, the CEO of his production company Wayfarer Studios, whom she accuses of Sєxually harᴀssing her.

The defendants in her various legal complaints include Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nathan, publicists hired by Baldoni, whom Lively says mounted a ‘smear campaign’ against her to tarnish her reputation ahead of the film’s release.

Now, in his new lawsuit, Baldoni claims that the ‘defendants’ were served with legal papers while attempting to evacuate their homes amid the Los Angeles fires.

Beginning last Tuesday, the Los Angeles area was struck by its worst windstorms in over a decade, fueling fires that have destroyed thousands of structures and claimed at least 25 lives, though the full death toll is not yet known.

‘On a day when Defendants were gathering their kids and pets, preparing “go bags” and monitoring evacuation orders while fearing for their homes, Lively – from the safety of her penthouse in New York – deployed process servers in the midst of these troubling times,’ Baldoni’s latest legal filing alleges.

Lively accused of not reading the It Ends With Us book

Baldoni claims Lively had never read the book even after principal pH๏τography had begun; Lively is pictured at the film’s premiere with the novel’s author Colleen Hoover 

After Lively filed her first lawsuit against Baldoni just before Christmas, she received an outpouring of support – including from Colleen Hoover, the author of the original novel It Ends With Us that forms the basis of the movie.

However, in his new lawsuit, Baldoni claims that Lively had never bothered to read the book even after principal pH๏τography had begun.

He insists she suffered from a ‘fundamental lack of understanding’ of the source material, which supposedly ‘came as no surprise to her worried colleagues, given that, even well into production, Lively had not even read the book.’

Baldoni alleges further that Lively ‘even tried to “Google” the color of her character’s hair rather than pick up the book.’

Baldoni kept in basement during premiere?

Baldoni and his family were supposedly relegated to the basement after arriving on the red carpet for the movie’s premiere on August 6, 2024, because ‘Lively demanded he not attend’

The new lawsuit accuses Lively of going so far as relegating Baldoni and his family to the basement after arriving on the red carpet for the movie’s premiere on August 6, 2024, because ‘Lively demanded he not attend’.

The suit said: ‘Security personnel, acting as though there was a risk of “escape,” escorted Baldoni’s group to the basement of the building. 

‘There, they were confined to a makeshift holding area surrounded by concession stand stock, with only foldout tables and chairs arranged in a square,’ the legal documents claim. 

‘Surrounded by close friends, family, soda bottles, and a lot of love, the irony of being held in a basement on what was arguably one of the most important nights of Baldoni’s career thus far, was not lost on anyone.’

Lively accused of joking Baldoni needed a nose job 

Baldoni claims that during the shoot of one scene Lively ‘began to joke about Baldoni’s nose, which he laughed off and joked in turn, even as Lively joked that he should get plastic surgery’ 

In Baldoni’s new lawsuit, he claims that one day on set ‘Lively apologized for the smell of her spray tan and body makeup. Baldoni responded: “It smells good,” and continued acting, slow dancing as he believed his character would with his partner, which requires some amount of physical touching.’

This version of events runs counter to Lively’s Sєxual harᴀssment complaint, in which she accused him of having ‘dragged his lips from her ear and down her neck as he said: “It smells so good,”‘ with no basis in the character or script.

Meanwhile, in Baldoni’s new legal filing, he says that after his exchange with Lively about the smell of her cosmetics, he tried to go on with the scene but Lively ‘took them out of character again and began to joke about Baldoni’s nose, which he laughed off and joked in turn, even as Lively joked that he should get plastic surgery.’

He insists: ‘Lively alleges Baldoni inappropriately commented on her physical appearance. It was the other way around.’

Baldoni described Lively’s description of the exchange as ‘a documented and knowingly fabricated lie,’ adding: ‘Lively’s comment about Baldoni’s nose is also captured on camera. Baldoni, rather than write down a list of grievances against Lively, brushed it off and moved on with the scene.’

The suit noted he has ‘publicly expressed insecurities about’ his nose and even ‘discussed’ the subject during ‘an episode of his podcast, “Man Enough,” exploring the topic of body dysmorphia.’

Lively accused of ‘unchoreographed’ kisses

In his own lawsuit, he has turned the tables, saying Lively was the one who ‘engaged in unchoreographed kissing scenes’ while in character 

In Lively’s complaints against Baldoni, she accused her co-star and director of initiating ‘improvised physical intimacy’ during scenes without her permission.

Now, in his own lawsuit, he has turned the tables, saying Lively was the one who ‘engaged in unchoreographed kissing scenes’ while in character.

Baldoni’s legal filing describes him as a ‘professional actor’ who is ‘accustomed’ to adjusting to ‘variations’ in scenes ‘without needing “permission” while in character.’

The suit ᴀsserts: ‘While Lively now takes issue with any innocuous improvisation Baldoni, as Ryle, may have allegedly initiated while in character, Baldoni treated their relationship on camera as professional; each playing their part, each doing their job.

‘If no one was supposed to improvise, Baldoni would have no way of knowing based on Lively’s own actions. Lively demonstrated, again and again, that this was a normal and acceptable part of filming romantic scenes.’

Lively ‘refused to meet with domestic violence charity’

Lively was deluged with negative publicity in the run-up to the film’s release as social media users made fun of her interview clips and accused her of being a ‘mean girl’ 

Baldoni says he worked with the domestic violence charity No More and committed to donating one percent of the film’s proceeds to the organization.

He alleged that Lively ‘refused the opportunity to meet with No More, despite playing the lead role in a movie centered on themes of survival and resilience in the face of domestic abuse,’ in his new lawsuit.

Lively was deluged with negative publicity in the run-up to the film’s release as social media users made fun of her interview clips and slated her as a ‘mean girl.’

She has since described the blowback against her as an ‘astroturfed’ ‘smear campaign’ waged by Baldoni and his publicists, while they maintain that she was subject to ‘organic online criticism’ because of the way she promoted the film.

While Baldoni is said to have wanted to emphasize the domestic violence storyline in the promotions, Lively adopted a sunnier, more upbeat atтιтude in her interviews – which was then attacked on social media for being too flippant.

In his new lawsuit, Baldoni takes issue with the way Lively marketed the film – for example her decision to cross-promote with her alcohol brand Betty Booze, which shares a name with her five-year-old daughter.

‘This was a mᴀssive error in judgment,’ argues Baldoni’s legal filing, saying that ‘social media commenters’ took objection to the cross-promotion because of the link between drinking and domestic violence.

‘Unbelievably, Lively made this harmful and irresponsible message worse by naming a drink at her premiere afterparty “Ryle You Wait,”‘ the suit adds.

Did Lively and Reynolds demand a public apology?

Baldoni says Lively and Reynolds allegedly demanded that Baldoni issue a public apology statement that they had put together; the power couple are pictured at the 2014 Met Gala

As an ‘avalanche of negative media coverage’ careened down on Lively, she and Reynolds allegedly demanded that Baldoni issue a public apology statement that they had put together ‘in order to deflect’ from her own poor publicity.

‘Reynolds and Lively drafted a statement and demanded that Baldoni, Wayfarer, and Heath issue that statement, requiring them to apologize to the public and fall on their sword, despite having done nothing wrong – or else the “gloves would come off,”‘ the lawsuit alleges.

They supposedly made the demand via their talent agency William Morris Endeavor, which also represented Baldoni – until he was unceremoniously dropped in the wake of Lively’s first Sєxual harᴀssment complaint against him.

‘Multiple WME executives acknowledged that in their experience, Lively and Reynolds’ threats were not to be taken lightly, though admitting to false, vague, and unspecified “mistakes” would be tantamount to admitting to career-ending misconduct,’ Baldoni’s lawsuit states.

‘Baldoni, Wayfarer, and Heath refused to apologize for sins they had never committed. They took a stand, knowing full well that Lively and Reynolds would bring the full might of their celebrity artillery against them. And that is precisely what happened.’ 

Lively and Baldoni ‘started as friends’

Lively and Baldoni are said to have enjoyed a friendly rapport early in the process of making the film, and his latest lawsuit includes alleged screen-grabs of texts that show them supposedly engaging in cheeky banter.

‘Their working relationship grew close. Baldoni and Lively shared stories and pictures from their lives, commiserated over family illnesses and exchanged jokes and memes,’ the new lawsuit alleges.

‘Baldoni offered concern and support when Lively faced family health concerns. They texted almost daily, and a friendly banter established a comfortable dynamic that, under typical circumstances, would have made working together easy.’

Lively ‘induced’ co-stars to ‘shun’ Baldoni?

Now, in his new suit, Baldoni is accusing Lively of having ‘induced the other cast members to shun Baldoni,’ who is pictured posing alone at the It Ends With Us premiere 

Last summer, in the lead-up to the movie’s release, rumors began flying of a simmering feud between Baldoni and Lively.

Many fans noticed that several of their colleagues on the film were not following Baldoni on social media – a fact that became an online H๏τ topic again in December when Lively filed her first complaint against him.

She was publicly supported in the legal battle by her co-stars Brandon Sklenar and Jenny Slate, as well as by Colleen Hoover. 

Now, in his new suit, Baldoni is accusing Lively of having ‘induced the other cast members to shun Baldoni, in an early attempt to give fans the impression that Baldoni had committed an egregious sin, something so egregious that no one wanted to even take pH๏τos with him or have him around.’

The legal documents propound the theory that she ‘was leaving what she had earlier referred to as “crumbs,” a social media strategy she had learned from a close celebrity friend: to give fans just enough to allow them to come to their own conclusions, thereby launching an army of detectives that, on information and belief, Lively hoped would turn against Baldoni.’ 

Did Lively replace the editors and composer?

Baldoni has also accused Lively of forcing out the editors and composer that he had hired, and then replacing them with people of her own choosing; they are pictured in the film 

Baldoni has also accused Lively of forcing out the editors and composer that he had hired, and then replacing them with people of her own choosing – specifically, professionals who had recently worked with Reynolds.

‘Ultimately, Lively replaced the Film’s editors with her own choice: an editor often used by Reynolds, and the Film’s editors had to be let go,’ his suit claims.

‘She also replaced the Film’s award-winning composer with composers from Reynolds’ recent project – even though the Film’s composer had already finished the score, with an orchestra (which is costly).’

The currently credited composers on It Ends With Us are Rob Simonsen – who worked on Reynolds’ smash hit 2024 summer blockbuster ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine – and Duncan Blickenstaff.

Lively’s alleged costume demands

The suit also claims that Lively seized control of her costumes for the film, ‘ignoring’ Baldoni’s ‘vision’ as well as ‘disposing of the weeks of effort’ that the wardrobe team expended on putting her look together.

Lively is accused of sending ‘hundreds of images to the Film’s costume designer, including into the late hours of the evening, depicting the style of wardrobe she wanted for her character. 

‘The costume designer had to re-shop Lively’s wardrobe, far exceeding the allocated budget and diverting time and resources, while also preparing wardrobes for the rest of the cast,’ Baldoni’s legal filing alleges.

‘At one point, Lively insisted that her character “had money” and could afford $5,000 shoes – despite being a fledgling small business owner.’ 

The lawsuit continued: ‘Lively often refused to participate in wardrobe fittings at the production office, which was a mere fifteen minutes from Lively’s home.  

‘Instead, she insisted that the costume department pack up wardrobe and deliver it to her personal residence,’ Baldoni further alleged.

In response to Baldoni’s lawsuit, Lively’s legal team issued a furious statement to DailyMail.com, saying: ‘This latest lawsuit from Justin Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and its ᴀssociates is another chapter in the abuser playbook.

‘This is an age-old story: A woman speaks up with concrete evidence of Sєxual harᴀssment and retaliation and the abuser attempts to turn the tables on the victim. This is what experts call DARVO. Deny. Attack. Reverse Victim Offender.

The statement continued: ‘Wayfarer has opted to use the resources of its billionaire co-founder to issue media statements, launch meritless lawsuits, and threaten litigation to overwhelm the public’s ability to understand that what they are doing is retaliation against Sєxual harᴀssment allegations.

‘They are trying to shift the narrative to Ms. Lively by falsely claiming that she seized creative control and alienated the cast from Mr. Baldoni.

Lively’s attorneys added: ‘The evidence will show that the cast and others had their own negative experiences with Mr. Baldoni and Wayfarer. The evidence will also show that Sony asked Ms. Lively to oversee Sony’s cut of the film, which they then selected for distribution and was a resounding success.

‘Their response to Sєxual harᴀssment allegations: she wanted it, it’s her fault. Their justification for why this happened to her: look what she was wearing.

The statement concluded: ‘In short, while the victim focuses on the abuse, the abuser focuses on the victim. The strategy of attacking the woman is desperate, it does not refute the evidence in Ms. Lively’s complaint, and it will fail.’