The world of film production is often a complex web of power struggles, personal dynamics, and behind-the-scenes negotiations. But what happens when a project that is already under scrutiny begins to fall apart? Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s latest film was not only under attack for its handling of sensitive topics but was also rocked by internal disputes, PR strategies, and alleged manipulation—leading to a shocking series of events that fans and industry insiders are only now beginning to understand.

In a recently unsealed court case, a series of explosive documents have shed light on the real drama that unfolded both on the set and behind the scenes, and it’s far more than just a tale of creative differences. What started as a promotional campaign for a film about domestic violence soon spiraled into a media circus, leading to accusations of manipulation, exploitation, and a deep power struggle that almost derailed the entire project.

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni: The Struggle for Control

Blake Lively, renowned for her role in bringing public attention to various causes, wasn’t just navigating a complex character in her latest film—she was reportedly also leveraging real-life situations to gain more control over the production. In an explosive revelation, Lively was found to have used a “safety letter” signed by the production team in November 2023 to secure significant control over the project, including making substantial changes to the script and the filming schedule.

According to text messages released in the court documents, Justin Baldoni—one of the key figures in the production—was reportedly “feeling all sorts of things” after Lively’s power move. The actor confided in friends that Blake had “used the claim letter to gain power over the whole production,” and that he had to find a way to navigate the situation without alienating her. This text, sent on January 2nd, 2024, prior to filming, revealed that Baldoni felt trapped in a situation where every decision he made would be used against him by Lively, further escalating tensions on set.

The PR Campaign: How the Film’s Marketing Backfired

As the film’s promotional campaign kicked off, the marketing strategy began to unravel. Initially, the movie was marketed as a light-hearted summer romance, which quickly clashed with its much darker themes, including domestic violence. Fans and critics alike began calling out the film for its inappropriate marketing, with some claiming it romanticized the very subject matter it aimed to address. This was never part of Melissa Nathan’s strategy to manage the public image, nor did she anticipate how much backlash would ensue.

The promotion of the film turned into a disaster when rumors began circulating about Lively’s involvement in leaking stories to the media, further fueling the narrative that she was intentionally creating a crisis around the film. Text messages between PR teams and Lively’s camp reveal how desperate they were to control the narrative, even when it came to defending her promotional decisions. This confusion over how to market the film led to what one insider described as “a PR nightmare,” with escalating tensions threatening to tear apart both the cast and the promotional efforts.

Ryan Reynolds and the “Savior Complex”

Amid the chaos, Ryan Reynolds—Lively’s husband—was thrust into the middle of the storm. In a bizarre twist, Reynolds used his “savior complex” to insert himself into the production, claiming that the script was a disaster and that he needed to save the film. In leaked conversations, he was quoted saying that had he not stepped in to rewrite parts of the script, the film would have failed. This self-appointed role as the film’s rescuer raised eyebrows, particularly when it was revealed that he had a significant influence on the final product, despite not being part of the original creative team.

In one of the most contentious moments, Reynolds even went as far as to leak stories to the Daily Mail about the disaster behind the scenes, using the narrative to position himself as the hero. These leaks painted a picture of a script in shambles, a production spiraling out of control, and Lively and Baldoni at odds with each other.

Allegations of Sexual Harassment and the PR Spin

The court documents also revealed how sexual harassment allegations on set were used as a strategic move by Lively and her team to gain leverage. Allegations of inappropriate comments by Baldoni, particularly regarding a scene where Lively was asked to remove her jacket due to the heat, were brought to HR, but instead of being handled privately, they were reportedly leaked to the media to strengthen Lively’s position within the production.

The documents suggest that these allegations were strategically timed to coincide with Lively’s growing influence over the film, leading to widespread speculation about whether she was using the situation to secure more power. The texts from Lively’s camp revealed how her team pushed the narrative that the harassment claims were a form of retaliation against Baldoni, despite the allegations not being fully substantiated.

Behind the Scenes: The Real Struggle

Throughout the entire ordeal, the studio, Wayfair, was caught in the crossfire. As tensions rose on set, the production company attempted to manage the fallout by implementing a unique HR strategy. To prevent conflicts of interest, Wayfair outsourced HR complaints to Sony, ensuring that Justin Baldoni wouldn’t be directly involved in any disputes that could affect the film’s reputation. Despite these efforts, the leaks continued, with reports of HR complaints surfacing in the media, complicating the narrative.

Justin Baldoni and Wayfair’s PR team were under immense pressure to maintain a professional image while Lively and Reynolds controlled the media narrative. Their decision to delay a public statement on the set’s issues only fueled further speculation, creating a perfect storm for the media to exploit.

The Takeaway: Control, Manipulation, and the True Story Behind the Film

The documents released in the case present a clear picture of a production plagued by manipulation, creative differences, and a media frenzy. Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds were able to exert a level of control over the film’s direction, leveraging personal issues and public perception to their advantage. Meanwhile, Justin Baldoni found himself caught in a struggle to maintain control while facing mounting pressure from all sides.

At the heart of this story lies the question of how far people will go to protect their careers, their reputations, and their influence over a project. While the film may have suffered from these behind-the-scenes issues, the real drama was not in the story of the movie itself but in the power dynamics that unfolded throughout its production and marketing.

As the PR battle rages on, it’s clear that this film’s legacy will not only be defined by its content but by the turbulent process that brought it to life. Whether the allegations are true or not, one thing is certain: the battle for control, both on screen and behind the scenes, is far from over.