Justin Baldoni files unseen footage of Blake Lively in ‘It Ends With Us,’ claiming she improvised a kiss, fueling ongoing legal battle.
Justin Baldoni has dramatically escalated his ongoing legal dispute with Blake Lively over their 2023 film It Ends With Us after submitting previously unseen footage that could shift the narrative of the case.
According to court documents obtained by the Daily Mail, Baldoni, who directed and co-starred in the film, claims the footage shows Lively engaging in behavior similar to what she alleges constitutes sexual harassment on set.
The evidence, a minute-long deleted scene filed on November 13 as part of a motion for summary judgment, captures Lively and Baldoni filming a hospital hallway sequence in May 2023.
In the clip, Lively’s character, Lily, approaches Baldoni’s Ryle, grabs his arms, and plants a brief kiss before walking off. Baldoni’s legal team contends that this moment was improvised, unscripted, and orchestrated by Lively herself, suggesting she “oversaw” the scene and added the kiss to multiple takes despite no such direction in the screenplay.
Lively, 38, had previously filed a lawsuit against Baldoni alleging sexual harassment and retaliation during the production. She returned to the set in January 2024 with strict guidelines, including a clear instruction of “no more improvising of kissing,” as highlighted in court filings.
Baldoni’s submission of the new footage, however, points to Lively engaging in unscripted kissing months earlier, a move his team believes undermines her claims.
Earlier, Lively’s attorneys requested sanctions against producer Jamey Heath for failing to provide crucial materials on time, including a video shown to Lively featuring Heath’s fully nude wife during childbirth—allegedly presented without her consent.
Lively’s team claims Baldoni and his associates have also attempted to conceal evidence throughout discovery, citing no less than twelve motions related to discovery disputes.
The legal battle has expanded beyond on-set disputes. Lively’s lawyers allege Baldoni coordinated a digital smear campaign using apps like Signal and auto-deleting messages, working alongside PR professionals from Wayfarer Studios.
Former employees of the PR firm, including Katherine Case and Breanna Butler, reportedly provided depositions detailing these tactics, as reported by Deadline. The filings claim Baldoni and his associates acted strategically to conceal evidence that could damage their case in court.
In January, Baldoni filed a defamation suit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and The New York Times, stemming from media coverage of the feud. This claim was dismissed in June 2025.
Additionally, a New York judge recently rejected Lively’s claims against social media strategist Jed Wallace, ruling her team failed to demonstrate sufficient ties to New York for jurisdiction.
Lively’s representatives noted she may pursue the case in Texas, ensuring the legal battle is far from over.
It Ends With Us, which also starred Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Brandon Sklenar, and Kevin McKidd, was based on Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel. The film grossed $148 million domestically and $350 million worldwide, yet the public feud between its stars has significantly overshadowed its success.
The movie tells the story of Lily Bloom navigating a toxic relationship with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid, portraying themes of trauma, healing, and complex adult relationships.
As the legal battle continues, the release of unseen footage and allegations of digital manipulation underscore the highly contentious nature of the dispute.
Both parties remain entrenched, with trial proceedings scheduled for March in New York, where Lively plans to pursue all claims against Baldoni, Heath, and other Wayfarer defendants.
The It Ends With Us case highlights the growing complexities of Hollywood productions, where on-set behavior, digital communications, and media coverage intersect, creating a highly publicized legal showdown between two high-profile actors.