Actor Justin Baldoni's legal team has released unedited footage from the set of "It Ends With Us" in response to Blake Lively's sexual harassment allegations, sparking new developments in their ongoing legal battle.
The nearly 10-minute raw footage, shared by Baldoni's attorney Bryan Freedman, shows the filming of a slow dance scene that became central to Lively's accusations. In her December 2023 lawsuit, Lively claimed Baldoni "leaned forward and slowly dragged his lips from her ear and down her neck" while saying "it smells so good" without her consent.
The newly released video reveals on-set dialogue between the actors during three takes. In one exchange, Lively mentions getting spray tan on Baldoni, to which he responds "It smells good." Lively then clarifies, "Well, it's not that. It's my body makeup."
Baldoni's legal team maintains the footage demonstrates "mutual respect and professionalism" between both actors working within the scene's romantic requirements. They plan to launch a website containing additional videos and correspondence to support their defense.
However, Lively's attorneys argue the footage actually reinforces their client's claims. "The video shows Mr. Baldoni repeatedly leaning in toward Ms. Lively, attempting to kiss her, kissing her forehead, rubbing his face and mouth against her neck," they stated, emphasizing no intimacy coordinator was present during filming.
The footage release comes amid Baldoni's $400 million lawsuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, while Lively has filed her own $250 million suit alleging sexual harassment and emotional distress. Baldoni has also filed a separate $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times regarding their coverage of the allegations.
Lively's legal team criticized the video's release as "another chapter in the abuser playbook" and "an unethical attempt to manipulate the public." They maintain their focus remains on addressing the allegations through proper legal channels rather than "manufactured media stunts."