The tea has officially spilled, and it is scalding hot. The rumor mill has been churning for months about the absolute toxicity plaguing the set of It Ends With Us, but now we have the receipts. Justin Baldoni’s private text messages have been unsealed as part of the brutal legal cage match against his costar Blake Lively, and the content is far more explosive than anyone predicted.
Forget the polite PR statements. These documents, unsealed on Tuesday, paint a picture of a Hollywood production in total meltdown. We are talking about allegations of “ambushes,” name-calling, power plays involving Ryan Reynolds, and a director claiming the stress landed him in the hospital. The “It Ends With Us” drama didn’t just end on screen; it destroyed relationships behind the scenes in a way we rarely see exposed to the public.
According to the explosive court filings, Baldoni sent frantic, emotional messages to his inner circle detailing a “torturous” experience where he felt targeted by a coordinated smear campaign. The texts reveal a man on the edge, claiming he was “scolded like a five-year-old” by Lively’s A-list husband and accused of being “creepy” on set. Buckle up, because we are breaking down every shocking detail.
The Ryan Reynolds ‘Ambush’ That Left Baldoni ‘Paralyzed’
This is the smoking gun of the entire scandal. For months, whispers suggested that Ryan Reynolds—who wasn’t even the director—took over the set. Now, Baldoni’s texts seemingly confirm a confrontation that sounds straight out of a nightmare. In a text sent to his “support group” chat, which inexplicably includes The Office star Rainn Wilson, Baldoni describes a confrontation he calls an “ambush.”
It’s hard to describe what happened exactly. The only way to describe it was an ambush. I had no words I couldn’t formulate sentences. My brain was trying to defend itself when they were needing me to apologize for all of the ways I have fed up and made her feel unsafe.
It gets worse. Baldoni explicitly names Reynolds, painting the Deadpool star not as a helpful spouse, but as an enforcer coming in to dress down the director of the film. The power dynamic shift here is staggering. Baldoni claims Reynolds spoke to him in a way that was utterly demeaning.
Ryan [Reynolds] was talking to me like a five-year-old and scolding me, They essentially said that Jamey and I are not who we claimed to be and that for us to have a podcast is unsafe because it makes people feel like we are safe.
Baldoni admits in the texts that he was “emotionally paralyzed” and reverted to feeling like a “seven-year-old.” This isn’t just creative differences; this is a total psychological breakdown between a director and his lead star’s camp. Baldoni claims he was forced to apologize for behavior he didn’t understand, admitting he was “unable to even formulate the correct words.”
The ‘Creepy’ Allegations and The Demands
The legal battle has centered on Lively’s accusations of sexual harassment and an “unsafe” workplace, which Baldoni has vehemently denied. The texts reveal exactly what words were being thrown around on set, and they are career-ending insults if they stick. Baldoni told his friends that the production turned on him completely.
The word creepy and abuse were used in reference to me in my behavior. I was then given the words of what to say, and had to apologize which I was unable to do because my brain was trying to comprehend what was happening.
But the most jaw-dropping revelation might be the alleged hostage situation regarding the film’s production. Baldoni claims in his texts that he received a “legal letter” stating that Lively would walk away from the movie unless a laundry list of demands was met. This wasn’t a negotiation; it was an ultimatum.
In an effort to gain power over me personally and the studio, we received a legal letter sighting How unsafe I and the workplace were for the Actor (s), and that she won’t return to work unless we meet conditions and send her the unfinished directors cut of [the] movie.
Seventeen conditions? That is unprecedented. Baldoni claims the letter stated she had the “legal right” to leave the film entirely. He alleges that he met the conditions just to get the movie finished, but the damage was clearly done. He describes the experience as “torturous” and believes he is being “punished” for standing his ground.
Hospitalized by Betrayal? The Colleen Hoover Twist
Just when you thought the cast drama was the peak, Colleen Hoover enters the chat. The author of the source material has been notably silent regarding Baldoni during the press tour, and these texts might explain why. Baldoni claims he was “ghosted” and “betrayed” by Hoover, and he makes a shocking medical claim linked directly to this fallout.
In a text to his PR team, who were advising him to take the high road and open a dialogue with the author, Baldoni shuts it down hard. He explicitly blames Hoover’s actions for a serious health scare.
I’m sorry I don’t have the capacity just right now in this moment to be the bigger person and to do that. You have to remember that it was her betrayal that landed me in the hospital. It’s been devastating to me.
This completely reframes the narrative. We knew there was tension, but a hospital visit? Baldoni’s texts suggest a deep fracture between him and the creator of the story, claiming she agreed with his creative decisions privately only to leave him hanging publicly. He even workshopped a text to her, pleading his case and claiming he has “deeply cared” for her for five years, but the tone screams of desperation and hurt.
Rainn Wilson and The Hollywood Support Group
One of the most bizarre elements of this data dump is the involvement of Rainn Wilson. Yes, Dwight Schrute is deep in the mix of this romantic drama. The texts reveal a “Prayers and Support” group chat where Baldoni would vent to Wilson and singer Andy Grammer. The responses from Wilson are telling—he is % on Team Baldoni.
Justin this is heartbreaking and infuriating. I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. What a test has been sent your way… You were set up and ambushed and personally attacked. I’m stunned.
Wilson even advises Baldoni that it was “probably better” he didn’t apologize immediately during the Reynolds confrontation. This shows that key figures in Hollywood were aware of this meltdown as it was happening. Wilson calls the situation a “setup,” fueling Baldoni’s claims of a coordinated smear campaign.
The Body Image Controversy
Part of the lawsuit involves allegations of body-shaming, with rumors swirling that Baldoni asked about Lively’s weight. The texts offer Baldoni’s side of this conversation, which he seemingly tried to frame as logistical. When Lively asked about filming “body scenes” later in the schedule, Baldoni’s response appears overly effusive, perhaps trying to navigate a minefield.
I want you to know you will look amazing. Anything you are insecure about we will talk through and get creative together and make you comfortable. I just don’t want you to stress about your body.
While the text reads as supportive on the surface, legal experts and PR spin doctors will likely dissect the phrase “anything you are insecure about.” Depending on who you believe, this is either a director being accommodating or a passive-aggressive nod to the tensions already brewing about physical appearance on set.
The ‘Steve’ Conversation: Money vs. Art
The texts also expose the cutthroat financial discussions happening behind the trailers. Baldoni recounts a conversation with a colleague named “Steve,” who apparently wanted to play hardball with Lively. This “Steve” character suggested a brutal approach to remind the actress who was signing the checks.
He said he should come to sit and remind Blake who’s money this is and I said that’s not the best idea.
Baldoni seemingly takes the high road here, rejecting the idea of a financial power play, but the fact that it was even suggested highlights the level of hostility. His colleague Jamey Heath chimes in, calling Lively “difficult” and claiming the other producers don’t “quite get the nuance.” It’s clear the production team felt held hostage by their lead star.
What Happens Next?
This is far from over. Baldoni’s texts are a strategic leak designed to garner sympathy and paint him as the victim of a powerful Hollywood couple. He portrays himself as a spiritual man, relying on his Baha’i faith and refusing to “curse” Lively despite the “torture.”
Pray for her soul. For light to fill it… Can I send love, not be a victim or curse her, and still somehow show up and direct and act with kindness in my heart?
Lively’s team is undoubtedly preparing a counter-offensive. With a trial scheduled for May, these texts are just the opening salvo in what promises to be the messiest Hollywood legal battle since Depp v. Heard. Will Ryan Reynolds be deposed? Will Colleen Hoover finally speak? The industry is holding its breath.
