Wayfarer Studios, the production company owned by Justin Baldoni, reached an agreement with Blake Lively to settle regarding Lively’s lawsuit against her “It Ends With Us” costar, TMZ reported on Monday, May 4. This means the highly anticipated trial, which was set for Monday, March 18, will not happen.
Blake initially sued Wayfarer as well Baldoni as an individual for various claims, but all the claims against Baldoni himself, including Lively’s claims for sexual harassment, were thrown out by a judge.
Lively also levied claims against Baldoni’s co-producer, Jamey Heath, were thrown out as well. The only remaining defendant was Wayfarer Studios, which was being sued by Lively for alleged retaliation.
Report Says Wayfarer Studios & Blake Lively Released a Statement After Agreeing to Settle
The TMZ report says “both sides” released a statement, and quotes the statement as saying, “The end product – the movie “It Ends With Us” — is a source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life. Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors – and all survivors – is a goal that we stand behind.”
They say the statement goes on, “We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognize concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard. We remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments. It is our sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online.”
A Judge Previously Dismissed Most of the Claims in Blake Lively’s Lawsuit
In early April, Lively’s lawsuit was significantly gutted by the federal judge presiding over the case, Judge Lewis Liman, when he threw out 10 of her 13 claims. The three remaining claims that would have proceeded to trial were for breach of contract, retaliation and aiding and abetting in retaliation.
According to Variety, Baldoni’s attorneys said after that ruling, “Weâre very pleased the Court dismissed all sexual harassment claims and every claim brought against the individual defendants. These were very serious allegations, and we are grateful to the court for its careful review of the facts, law and voluminous evidence that was provided. Whatâs left is a significantly narrowed case, and we look forward to presenting our defense to the remaining claims in court.”
Sony Letter Demanding ‘More Heat’ in the Film May Have Contributed to Creative Clash
One of Blake Lively complaints against Baldoni, who starred as her character’s husband in the film as well as directing it, was about his attempts to add new love scenes to the film such as a spicy medical roleplay with his surgeon character. Such a scene also appears in the novel, which is a fairly graphic adult-themed romantic drama.
While Lively suggested in her filings that the writing of these scenes constituted an attempt to harass her, Baldoni appears to have been pressured by an executive at Sony, the studio that co-financed and distributed the film.
The letter, which was sent to Baldoni by Sony exec Ange Gianetti and appeared as an exhibit on the court docket, critiqued the script by complaining “this does not read like an R rated movie” and insisted, “Readers of the book, the biggest book of last year, are expecting some HEAT.”
Gianetti’s letter went on to say that the film receiving an R rating solely for language “would be a huge mistake.” She later added that she hoped the film would contain “moments that feel grown up and sexy so we deliver for an audience that is expecting an R rated movie.” In the final paragraph of her letter, she reiterated that she wanted to see “moments of real heat” and to avoid a “rom com” feeling.
The post Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni’s Production Company Agree to Settle ‘It Ends With Us’ Conflict & Release Amicable Statement: REPORT appeared first on EntertainmentNow.