A legal standoff between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni over the upcoming film It Ends With Us took another turn this week, as Lively filed a motion to depose a key individual allegedly connected to disputes behind the scenes. The requested deposition centers on a producer who reportedly played a pivotal role in shaping the film’s direction as well as mediating earlier conflicts between the two stars.
The court has scheduled a preliminary hearing to evaluate Lively’s motion, which could have significant implications for the project’s production timeline.
Adapted from Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, It Ends With Us has built immense fan anticipation partly due to the popularity of the book and its sensitive portrayal of love, trauma, and personal growth. Lively and Baldoni were initially touted for championing the adaptation with Baldoni producing under his company Wayfarer Studios and Lively tapped to star.
However, rumors of creative clashes and contract disagreements started floating around a few months ago. Neither side has spoken extensively on the issue, but the legal filings have provided a peek into the rising tensions behind the camera.
In her motion, Lively’s legal team contends that the producer in question holds information critical to understanding the root cause of the ongoing friction between the actress and Baldoni.
They argue that prior contracts and email exchanges—some of which date back to early project negotiations—could substantiate Lively’s claim that she was misled about certain creative decisions and production schedules. The deposition would compel the producer to provide testimony under oath, clarifying not only how those decisions were made but also who had ultimate authority.
Baldoni’s camp, meanwhile, has vehemently opposed the deposition request, characterizing it as an overreach intended to prolong or complicate negotiations. According to his attorneys, the producer’s role in the alleged dispute has been overstated, and any testimony offered would be redundant. They maintain that the real crux of the conflict lies in contract interpretations, particularly around script approval and final cut privileges, which they insist are spelled out in existing legal documents.
The court’s decision to hold an initial hearing signals the case’s complexity and the possibility that further proceedings might be required. Judge Caroline Marsh, who has been assigned to the matter, will likely determine whether the deposition is warranted. Should she grant Lively’s request, the testimony could become a central piece of evidence in any subsequent trial or settlement negotiations.
Meanwhile, fans of the novel and the involved talent continue to speculate on social media about the fate of It Ends With Us. While production is said to be on hold pending resolution, insiders claim both Lively and Baldoni remain committed to seeing the project through. The scheduled hearing marks a pivotal moment, with observers and legal experts alike watching closely to see if this highly publicized conflict can be resolved—or if it will escalate further, potentially reshaping the future of the film adaptation.
