Blake Lively’s team has reportedly claimed that she lost out on around $35 million due to a never-made sequel to It Ends With Us. This comes amidst her ongoing legal battle against her former co-actor and director, Justin Baldoni.
For the unversed, Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni in December 2024. She alleged sexual assault and retaliation against him on the sets of It Ends With Us. However, Baldoni denied these allegations, and the two parties are set to face off in a trial on May 18.
On Tuesday, April 28, Lively’s attorneys claimed that she missed out on around $35 million on a potential sequel for the film. Podcaster Billy Bush reacted to this on Wednesday, saying:
“Blake’s lawyers argued that she missed out on the opportunity to make up to $35 million for a sequel to It Ends With Us. I’m sorry, girl, whose fault is that? Girl, please. No. Get out of here. $35 million on his sequel.”
He added:
“Baldoni had suggested at one point that Ms. Lively would direct the sequel, and the lead actress would be compensated even more, says an attorney for Blake, in the courtroom.”
“Baldoni’s attorneys called Blake’s payday surrounding a potential sequel, uh, speculative at best. Also, Baldoni’s lawyers fired back by citing that… the studio was never gonna work with her again, regardless of anything Baldoni did, so there you go.”
Earlier this month, Blake Lively had also claimed around $40 million in damages due to an alleged smear campaign against her. Overall, she and her team are seeking around $300 million in damages from Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios.
Also Read: “What does he gain from trashing her?”: Billy Bush reacts after Blake Lively claims “mean girl” label has cost her $40M
Zack Peter questions Blake Lively’s argument for a potential sequel to It Ends With Us
The film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel with the same name was released in August 2024. In December that year, Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, alleging a toxic work environment. Baldoni also filed a defamation lawsuit against her, but it was dismissed last summer.
However, in a pre-trial on Tuesday, Lively’s team claimed that the actor had suggested that she could get paid more in the sequel by directing it. Sharing his thoughts on this, podcaster Zack Peter asked why Lively would want to work with Baldoni again after making such allegations. He said:
“You want to do another ‘It Ends With Us’? I mean, it’s like she never wants it to end with us. She’s like, ‘Me and Justin are in it together forever.’ Let me get this straight. You were in a toxic work environment with this dude that you’re claiming sexually harassed you, and yet you’re saying that you wanted to do a sequel with him? Make it make sense.”
Meanwhile, Baldoni’s lawyers argued that the figures laid out by Lively’s team are “pie-in-the-sky”. They also argued:
“Ms. Lively has a track record of brands that have not succeeded.”
Meanwhile, Judge Lewis Liman had dismissed 10 of the 13 claims made by Blake Lively in her lawsuit against Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios. Their trial will commence on May 18 on the remaining three claims, which are based on alleged retaliation.
Also Read: “Tried to out-philosophize the philosopher”: Billy Bush reacts after Blake Lively shares post comparing Justin Bieber’s life to ‘The Truman Show’
Edited by Aditya Singh
