Rewritten Title:
"Justin Baldoni’s Lawyer Accuses Blake Lively of ‘Abusing’ Legal System, Labels Her ‘Privileged Elite’ in It Ends With Us Dispute"

Key Adjustments:

• Removed British term "row" in favor of "dispute" for broader clarity.
• Streamlined structure to emphasize the accusation and quoted terms.
• Maintained quotes around charged phrases to reflect direct claims from the lawyer.
• Ensured contextual clarity by including the project title (It Ends With Us).

Justin Baldoni’s Lawyer Slams Blake Lively as “Elitist Manipulator” in Legal Battle Over Film Set Feud
(Images: Baldoni on the Today Show; Lively at SNL50; Baldoni and Lively on the red carpet)

Justin Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, has accused Blake Lively of exploiting the legal system to evade accountability after she sought to dismiss Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit. The dispute stems from the tumultuous production of their 2023 film It Ends with Us, which grossed $350 million globally.

Freedman called Lively’s motion to dismiss “one of the most abhorrent examples of abusing our legal system,” alleging she twisted laws to suit her agenda. “Laws aren’t meant to be curated by privileged elites,” he stated, vowing to disprove her “fantastical claims” of harassment and retaliation.

Lively’s legal team, led by Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, fired back, calling Baldoni’s lawsuit “a profound abuse of the legal process” and citing California laws protecting sexual harassment accusers. They argued Baldoni’s claims violate anti-SLAPP statutes designed to prevent retaliatory lawsuits.

The Feud’s Origins
Lively sued Baldoni in December 2023, accusing him of sexual harassment and body-shaming during filming. Baldoni denied the allegations and countersued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane in January 2024 for defamation and extortion, claiming they orchestrated a smear campaign.

(Image: Baldoni and Lively in a tense scene from It Ends with Us)

Sony’s Role in the Drama
A Hollywood Reporter exposé revealed Sony Pictures intervened as mediator amid on-set tensions. Former CEO Tony Vinciquerra praised Lively’s “passion” for the project, signaling the studio’s prioritization of her star power. An insider called the fallout “the ultimate nightmare,” with Baldoni’s team alleging Sony sidelined him to appease Lively and Reynolds.

Legal Maneuvers
Baldoni’s lawyers criticized Lively for publicizing her 138-page complaint while seeking to seal evidence, claiming hypocrisy. They highlighted Reynolds’ SNL skit referencing the scandal, which fans deemed tone-deaf. Lively’s team countered that revealing sensitive details risks “violent threats” against her family and witnesses, citing a message threatening a supporter’s family with assault.

(Image: Lively and Reynolds at the It Ends with Us premiere)

Social Media and Public Perception
Baldoni launched a website (thelawsuitinfo.com) sharing private texts to counter Lively’s claims, arguing Reynolds and Lively overstepped creatively. Meanwhile, Lively’s team accused Baldoni of violating her privacy, stating, “Speaking up against harassment doesn’t waive all rights to confidentiality.”

Fallout and Future
The legal war has already impacted Baldoni’s career: he was dropped by agency WME and faces a lawsuit from a former publicist. Lively, meanwhile, returned to the spotlight at SNL’s 50th anniversary, though critics called her appearance ill-timed.

(Image: Baldoni at the It Ends with Us premiere)

With a trial set for March 2026, both sides remain entrenched. Baldoni seeks to clear his name, while Lively’s camp insists her claims are protected speech. As Hollywood watches, the case underscores the volatile intersection of celebrity influence and legal accountability.

Final Images:

1. Lively at the 2024 Beauty Inc Awards
2. Box office stats for It Ends with Us*
3. Baldoni directing on set

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