Blake Lively seemed to call the former co-star Ben Affleck for help dealing with the “chaotic clown” Justin Baldoni activated End With Us
Us Weekly obtained court documents released on Tuesday, Jan. 20, showing an email purportedly sent by Lively, 38, to Affleck, 53, in May 2024. (Affleck’s name is redacted.) Lively put “zero pressure” on Affleck but apparently asked him to “watch the movie and give me ideas or notes” on her version of the film.
“Just came out the other side (well almost) of the most upsetting experience I’ve ever had at a movie,” Lively wrote in the alleged email. “The documentary making of this film would be more interesting than the film could be. It’s like wild wild country, Boys party i Going clear had a baby with The Room … room but it also works.”
Lively appeared to be referring to Baldoni, but not by name, as the email continued: “Anyway, I ended up rewriting and restructuring the entire script, also ended up having to run the movie through the chaotic clown ‘director’/actor/producer/financier/head of the studio. Yes, that’s the same person.”
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s reported split made headlines months before the It Ends With Us co-stars filed lawsuits. While Lively and Baldoni were promoting the film in August 2024, rumors began to swirl about an alleged feud between the pair. Fans noticed that Lively was promoting the film with some of her co-stars while Baldoni, who (…)
Lively also alleged that “everyone Baldoni hired to work with him on the film is ‘in a cult.'” She briefly detailed the “difficult” problems on set before referring to the “wild HR issues” she experienced.
Lively allegedly sought Affleck’s advice, saying she could send him “a voice memo” via text, about her cut of the film before she and Baldoni “worked it out” on what the final cut would be. (In 2024 it was widely reported that Lively and Baldoni had edited their own versions from the movie.)
Lively also appeared to ask Affleck if his children or his wife Jennifer Lopez it would also be “around” to look at. “I’d love your opinion too,” she wrote.
Affleck shares children Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, and Samuel, 13, with ex-wife Jennifer Garner. He was married to López, 56 years old, from 2022 to 2025.
“I’m a huge fan of Jennifer, I’ve told her as much every time I’ve met her, and I’d be honored to be taken,” the email continued. “Again, zero pressure. I just want this to work after everything I’ve put into it. This movie almost killed me. And I can think of very few people who would be as prescriptive and insightful as I know you would be.”
Lively also mentioned that her husband, Ryan Reynolds, he had asked Affleck’s longtime friend Matt Damon to check out the movie as well. Lively and Reynolds, 49, apparently sent messages to Damon and his wife, Luciana Barrosothey were also included in Tuesday’s presentation.
“This movie almost killed me. The director/costume/producer/financier/studio head (yes, one person) had no experience, but the good news is that he also has no taste and a huge ego, but only because he’s in a cult and thinks he’s the prophet of our century,” Lively wrote. “I wish even one of those things was hyperbole.”
Barroso, 49, apparently apologized to Lively for her “horrible” experience on the film.
“We’ll give you all the help we can,” Damon appeared to write. “And if this experience hasn’t totally destroyed your soul, Blake, you should come direct your next film at Artists Equity. We’re kind of a cult, but very nice.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Affleck and Damon for additional comment.
The documents were filed as part of Lively’s unsealed deposition Tuesday as she continues her legal battle against Baldoni. Lively and Baldoni have been battling it out in court since 2024, when the Gossip Girl Alum filed his initial complaint with the California Department of Civil Rights. Later he sued Baldoni for allegations of sexual harassment.
Baldoni has continued to deny the claims against him and countersued Lively that same year, but his lawsuit was dismissed in June 2025. The two will meet in court for a civil trial starting in May of this year.