Content Advisory: This article discusses sexual harassment allegations, legal disputes, reputational damage, and career fallout. Reader discretion is advised.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni may have avoided a brutal courtroom trial, but Hollywood is apparently not ready to move on.
The pair recently reached a surprise settlement in Lively’s sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni tied to ‘It Ends With Us’. The legal fight may be over for now, but industry insiders say the damage to both careers could last much longer.
One high-ranking studio executive put it bluntly: “They’re in jail. Both of them.”
The comment was not about actual prison. It was about professional exile.
Blake Lively And Justin Baldoni Face Career Fallout
Lively starred in and produced ‘It Ends With Us’, while Baldoni directed, produced, and co-starred in the 2024 film. The movie was a major box office success, earning $351 million worldwide on a $25 million budget.
But the fight behind the scenes became the bigger story.
Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and claimed there was a smear campaign against her. Baldoni denied wrongdoing and filed countersuits before the settlement ended the legal war.
Now, Hollywood insiders are asking a harsher question.
“Who wants to work with people that go this far?” one studio executive said.
Casting director Matthew Barry, known for ‘The Notebook’ and ‘Rush Hour’, said both stars may be in trouble.
“They’re both in for a tough time,” he said.
Blake Lively May Have Easier Way Back
Several insiders reportedly believe Lively has a better chance of rebuilding her career than Baldoni, but not without taking a hit first.
One executive said Lively should step away from the public eye and be “thoughtful” about her next role. Another producer joked that she should take a villain role and “lean into the baggage.”
Her earning power may also have dropped. One studio executive claimed Lively could have commanded $12 million paydays after ‘It Ends With Us’. Now, the same source estimated her value at around $3 million.
That lines up with court filings in which Lively claimed reputational damage from the alleged smear campaign cost her more than $100 million and affected potential roles worth $10 million to $15 million each.
Baldoni’s Road Back Looks Harder
Baldoni may have the tougher recovery.
One studio executive said allegations involving an unsafe set make it hard to imagine him casting another movie soon.
A casting director suggested Baldoni may return to acting on television instead of directing, pointing to his earlier work as a romantic lead on ‘Jane the Virgin’. Another casting director, Jen Rudin, said Baldoni may work again, but the perception around a contentious set could hurt him in the short term.
Still, Baldoni has one possible advantage: money behind him.
His company Wayfarer has backing from billionaire Steve Sarowitz, meaning Baldoni could potentially self-finance future projects if major studios hesitate.
One studio executive summed it up: “He could bring his own career back, but no one will hire him right now.”
Ryan Reynolds Also Took A Hit
The fallout may not stop with Lively and Baldoni.
Ryan Reynolds, Lively’s husband, was named in Baldoni’s dismissed countersuit and remained part of the public narrative as he supported his wife. Some insiders say his reputation has also taken damage.
Several sources claimed Apple hesitated before dating Reynolds’ action comedy ‘Mayday’, though the film eventually received a September 4 release date.
One agency partner suggested Reynolds could rebuild goodwill by doing something smaller and scrappier instead of another big studio project.
“He should do a ‘Van Wilder’ movie for scale and regain his coolness,” the source said.
For now, the legal settlement ended one battle. The career battle is just beginning.
