Justin Baldoni accuses Blake Lively of unjustly demanding a producer credit and mark on It Ends With Us and In Touch obtained the letter he said he felt forced to write on her.
On June 27, 2024, Justin’s production partner Jamey Heath allegedly sent an email to his lawyers and Justin, explaining his frustration with Blake’s request.
In the email, Jamey allegedly said, “We received a request to write a recommendation on behalf of Blake for her to receive the PGA mark. This was a request that we felt was unreasonable and cold hearted. Essentially, the movie … has been taken unjustly from Justin as a director and essentially from Wayfarer’s control due to the extortion of Blake.”
“Without going into all the details of the events that transpired over the months, Justin and I ended up agreeing to write the letter due to feeling trapped. She continues to hold a threat over our heads and every time we try and hold a line she uses that threat directly or indirectly to get us to fold,” Jamey said.
Read The Letter Justin Baldoni Begrudgingly Wrote After Blake Lively Allegedly Demand Producer Credit
Jamey attached the letter that both he and Justin, 40, allegedly sent to the Producers Guild of America. Jamey and Justin wrote the guild, “We hope this letter finds you well. We are writing to inform you of the significant role and contributions that Blake Lively has played in the making of the film, It Ends With Us.”
They added, “We’ve been directly involved in overseeing every step of development from adapting the book to the big screens to bringing on our co-financier//distributor, Sony, and of course, casting our lead.”
“From the time Blake was brought on, she has had an instrumental voice in many different aspects in the making of the film. Her contributions have been impactful as she was consulted with many of the casting options, she helped to refine the script, she redesigned her own wardrobe as well as gave notes on others, she contributed to the production design and set decoration and had influence on how many of the scenes were shot,” the letter continued. “Blake has been very involved in the post process. She has had an active role in the edit, the sound mix and has made decision on the music selection and score. She also continues to find creative ways to promote the film so that it can achieve its greatest success.”
The duo asked the guild to consider providing Blake, 37, the p.g.a. mark. Behind the scenes, Justin claimed he initially refused to write the letter and “misrepresent” Blake’s contributions to the film.
Blake Lively
He said, “[Blake] did not perform the duties of a producer and, therefore, in the professional opinion of the studios, did not qualify for the p.g.a. mark—a distinction highly valued and taken seriously within the industry.”
His lawyer said, “Despite having conceded on nearly every other demand to this point, [Justin and Wayfarer] believed it unjust and unethical to falsely represent to the PGA that she had fulfilled the requisite producing responsibilities. [Blake], in turn, instructed Sony to tell Wayfarer and [Justin] that ‘any good will left between us is done.’’
“Eventually, in the face of persistent threats levied against Wayfarer and [Justin], they were left with little choice but to draft and sign a letter on Lively’s behalf,” his lawyer said.
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As In Touch previously reported, Justin claimed Blake caused issues after filming wrapped. He alleged she demanded she be allowed to cut her own edit of the film. He claimed she refused to promote the project unless her edit was released, despite his edit testing higher with test audiences. Justin claimed Blake cut him out of the promotion for the film and tried to get him axed from the premiere. For her part, Blake filed her own complaint against Justin and Jamey.
She accused the duo of sexual harassment on set of It Ends With Us.
Blake accused Justin of speaking about his sex life, improvising unwanted kissing, calling her personal trainer without telling her amongst other things. She said Jamey showed her a naked video of his wife The actress also said the duo often came into her trailer uninvited while she was breastfeeding.
Blake Lively
“Mr. Baldoni and Mr. Heath both showed a shocking lack of boundaries by invading her personal space when she was undressed and vulnerable,” her suit read. Blake said she made a list of demands she required Justin and Jamey to follow before she resumed filming
She said Justin then hired a crisis PR team to smear her in the press in retaliation. Justin denied all claims of wrongdoing. Justin sued The New York Times over an article the outlet wrote based on Blake’s complaint.
He accused the outlet of conspiring with Blake to present a one-sided narrative and cherry-picking evidence. A rep for The New York Times, “Our story was meticulously and responsibly reported.”
The rep said the outlet reviewed “thousands of pages of original documents, including the text messages and email that we quote accurately and at length in the article.”
