According to a complaint filed by Blake Lively, co-star Justin Baldoni sexually harassed her, created a hostile work environment on the set of Seraph of the End, and attempted to damage her reputation after she raised concerns. accused of doing so.
According to an undated complaint filed with the California Department of Civil Rights, conditions on set became so bad that an “all-hands-on” call was made on January 4 to address problems that “nearly derailed the film’s production.” A meeting was called. Lively, Baldoni, executives from Sony Pictures Entertainment and Wayfarer Studios, and Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds attended the meeting.
A number of issues were raised during the meeting, ranging from inappropriate conversations to allegations of “retaliatory or abusive conduct,” according to the complaint obtained Saturday by NBC News.
The complaint is a precursor to a lawsuit and was first reported by TMZ.
Brian Friedman, who represents Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and all their representatives, said the allegations are “completely false.”
“These allegations are completely false, outrageous, and intentionally despicable aimed at publicly tarnishing and rehashing the media narrative,” he said in a statement.
Friedman said Lively’s charges were “another desperate attempt to ‘correct’ the negative publicity earned by her own words and actions during the film’s campaign.” Interviews and reporting activities were publicly observed in real time and unedited, allowing the internet to generate unique views and opinions. ”
Lively’s lawsuit alleges that Baldoni, who also directed the film, showed her “videos and images of nude women” and improvised physical intimacy that had not been rehearsed or discussed beforehand. has been accused. In one incident, Baldoni improvised kisses multiple times during a scene, according to the complaint.
“Mr. Baldoni insisted on filming entire scenes multiple times, far beyond what would be required on a normal set, without prior notice or consent.”
Another incident alleges that Baldoni did not perform his role while filming a slow dance scene that did not require sound.
“At one point, he leans forward, drags his lips slowly from her ear to her neck, and says, ‘You smell so good.'” All of this was based on the character and scripted dialogue. Again, because there was no audio, there was no need to say anything,” the complaint states, adding: Baldoni orally caressed Ms. Lively in a way that was completely unrelated to her role. When Ms. Lively later challenged this behavior, Ms. Baldoni’s response was, “I’m not even attracted to you.”
The complaint also alleges that Baldoni and Wayfarer CEO Jamie Heath pressured her to “simulate full nudity” in the birth scene. According to the suit, nudity was not mentioned in the script and was not discussed with Lively beforehand.
At the time of filming, Baldoni and Heath were unable to close the set and “allowed non-essential staff to pass through while Ms. Lively remained largely naked,” it says. The complaint also accuses Mr. Baldoni of having a “close friend” play Lively’s doctor instead of a local actor.
The complaint says Baldoni told Lively she could talk to her late father, tried to get into her trailer naked, and suggested Lively’s fitness trainer wanted her to lose weight. Several other incidents are also described. According to the lawsuit, Lively shot the film shortly after giving birth to her fourth child.
Baldoni and Heath have talked about their personal sexual experiences and are also suspected of having a “pornography addiction.”
Sony Pictures Entertainment could not be reached for comment on Saturday. Sony, the film’s distributor, is not named as a defendant.
The complaint alleges that Ms. Baldoni hired a crisis communications team to launch a “retaliatory social manipulation campaign” against Ms. Lively in an effort to tarnish her reputation while promoting the film.
The film became a hot topic over the summer after fans began uncovering red carpet interactions and interviews with the cast that suggested there might be drama behind the scenes. Many fans noted that Baldoni was doing press work separately from his co-stars, and that some of the movie’s stars, including Lively and Jenny Slate, did not follow Baldoni on Instagram.
The film, based on Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, depicts the abusive relationship between Lily Bloom, played by Lively, and a neurosurgeon named Lyle Kincaid, played by Baldoni.
Slate will play Lyle’s younger sister, Alisa Kincaid.
According to Lively’s suit, the film’s marketing plan stated that the cast would focus on a “story of hope” rather than domestic violence, but director Baldoni did not explain why the cast and crew unfollowed him. To explain, he claims that he “suddenly changed direction from the movie’s marketing plan.” It was to tarnish Lively’s reputation by slamming him on social media after she spoke out about his alleged cheating on set.
Mr. Baldoni’s lawyer, Mr. Freedman, said Mr. Wayfarer hired a crisis communications team after Mr. Lively allegedly threatened not to come to set and promote the film during filming.
“Representatives of Wayfarer Studios continue to take no active action or retaliate, only responding to media inquiries received to ensure balanced and factual reporting and monitoring of social activities. “It was,” he said.
“My legal action will help end these evil retaliatory tactics that harm those who speak out about wrongdoing, and help protect those who may be targeted,” Lively said in a statement. I hope so.”
