Justin Baldoni Reveals Statement Blake Lively Allegedly Wrote for Him to Take 'Accountability' During Bad Press

Blake Lively (left); Justin Baldoni.Photo:Jeff Spicer/Getty; Dia Dipasupil/Getty Jeff Spicer/Getty; Dia Dipasupil/Getty According to anamended complaint and timeline of eventsposted on Baldoni’s newwebsiteamid his continuedlegal battlewith Lively, theJane the Virginactor, 41, claims that Lively, 37, and her husband Reynolds, 48, prepared a statement for him and his firm asking him to take the blame for the “troubled production” ofIt Ends with Us, as well as the negative press Lively received while promoting the film.

Justin Baldoni Tells Blake Lively He's a 'Flawed Man' and 'Fell Short' in Apology Voice Note Leaked amid Legal Battle

Justin Baldoniapologized toBlake Livelyafter the two discussed changes she made to anIt Ends with Usscene, according to a newly-leaked voice note he purportedly sent to the actress. (PEOPLE cannot verify when the message was recorded.) Amid Baldoni, 41, and Lively’s, 37,ongoing legal dispute, whereLively accused Baldoni of sexual harassmentduring the making of the 2024 hit film he directed, which he has denied, a text exchange between the actors was released inBaldoni’s $400 million defamation countersuit against Lively.

Justin Baldoni to SueIt Ends with UsCostar Blake Lively 'Soon' Following Her Sexual Harassment Complaint (Exclusive Details)

Almost two weeks afterBlake Livelyaccused herIt Ends with UscostarJustin Baldoniofsexual harassment and lauching a retaliatory public smear campaign against her, Baldoni’s lawyer says the actor/director plans to fire back with his own countersuit. “We plan to release every single text messages between the two of them,” Freedman told NBC News. “We want the truth to be out there. We want the documents to be out there. We want people to make their determination based on receipts.

Justin Baldoni Was Not 'Happy' About Blake Lively Being 'Negatively Criticized' Before Lawsuits, Says Lawyer

Blake Lively on March 7, 2025; Justin Baldoni on Aug. 6, 2024.Photo:Mat Hayward/WireImage; John Nacion/Variety via Getty Mat Hayward/WireImage; John Nacion/Variety via Getty Justin Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman says the star was not “happy” about any negative attentionIt Ends With Usfaced upon its August 2024 release"It wasn’t in his interest for Blake Lively to be negatively criticized," Freedman saidBlake Lively has accused Baldoni of launching a smear campaign to ruin her reputation, which he deniesJustin Baldoni’s attorney claims the star did not want negative attention directed atBlake Lively, despite her alleging he launched a smear campaign directed at her.

Justin Baldoni Wasn't Dropped by WME at Request of Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, Agency Says

“The wielding of power and influence became undeniable,” the filing states. “Baldoni and Wayfarer grew increasingly fearful of what Lively and Reynolds were capable of, as their actions seemed aimed at destroying Baldoni’s career and personal life.” Justin Baldoni in December 2024.Araya Doheny/Variety via Getty Araya Doheny/Variety via Getty However, in a statement to PEOPLE, WME has denied Baldoni’s claims about being pressured to drop him. “In Baldoni’s filing there is a claim that Reynolds pressured Baldoni’s agent at theDeadpool & Wolverinepremiere.