Blake Lively Turned to Ben Affleck for Advice Amidst ‘It Ends With Us’ Turmoil

Hollywood star Blake Lively reportedly sought guidance from fellow actor and director Ben Affleck during the height of the behind-the-scenes conflict plaguing the production of It Ends With Us. Newly surfaced legal documents have revealed an email Lively sent to her former co-star, shedding light on the intensity of her feud with director Justin Baldoni. The correspondence details Lively’s desperation as she navigated what she described as the most distressing experience of her career, ultimately reaching out to Affleck for a fresh perspective on the chaotic situation.

The drama surrounding the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestseller has been a topic of speculation for months, but the unsealed documents provide concrete evidence of the rift. Lively, who starred in and produced the film, allegedly emailed Affleck in May 2024, asking him to review her personal edit of the movie. In the message, she didn’t mince words about her working relationship with Baldoni, whom she reportedly referred to as a “chaotic clown.” She described the production environment as a disaster, comparing the dysfunction on set to a combination of infamous debacles like the Fyre Festival and the cult documentary Wild Wild Country.

Lively’s outreach to Affleck wasn’t random; the two had previously worked together on the critically acclaimed crime thriller The Town in 2010, which Affleck directed and starred in. Leveraging that professional connection, Lively pleaded for his “zero pressure” input, hoping his experience as an Oscar-winning filmmaker could help her salvage the project. She claimed in the email that she had been forced to rewrite the script and effectively direct the actors herself because the actual director was, in her view, incompetent and driven by ego. She expressed that the process had nearly “killed” her and that she was left to “troubleshoot” through Baldoni’s poor decisions.

Interestingly, the email also contained a somewhat awkward personal note where Lively mentioned she would value the opinion of Affleck’s wife, Jennifer Lopez. At the time the email was sent, Lively was apparently unaware that Affleck and Lopez had privately separated just a month prior. She also relayed that her husband, Ryan Reynolds, was a huge admirer of Affleck’s recent work, specifically mentioning his popular Dunkin’ Donuts commercials. The correspondence highlights just how isolated Lively felt during the post-production phase, where competing cuts of the film—one by Baldoni and one by Lively—were reportedly being tested against one another.

This revelation comes as part of a broader legal battle involving claims of a hostile work environment and defamation. Lively has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and organizing a smear campaign against her to distract from his on-set behavior, allegations he has vehemently denied. The release of these private messages has turned the already publicized feud into a full-blown industry scandal, offering a rare glimpse into the raw, unfiltered conflicts that can occur behind the polished veneer of a Hollywood blockbuster.

For those less familiar with the key players in this saga, Blake Lively first rose to international fame as Serena van der Woodsen in the hit teen drama series Gossip Girl. She has since transitioned into a successful film career with roles in The Age of Adaline and A Simple Favor. Beyond her acting, she is a known entrepreneur and is one half of a Hollywood power couple with Ryan Reynolds. Reynolds himself has been dominating the box office recently, particularly with the massive success of Deadpool & Wolverine, which shattered records for R-rated films.

Ben Affleck, the recipient of the email, remains one of the industry’s most prominent figures. A two-time Academy Award winner, he won Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting and Best Picture for Argo. Recently, his focus has shifted toward his production company, Artists Equity, which he co-founded with long-time friend Matt Damon. The company aims to create a more equitable profit-sharing model for cast and crew. Affleck has also been in the headlines for his personal life, specifically his high-profile marriage and subsequent split from Jennifer Lopez.

The film at the center of this storm, It Ends With Us, is a romantic drama based on the 2016 novel by Colleen Hoover. It deals with heavy themes of domestic violence and emotional abuse. Despite the backstage volatility, the movie was a financial success, grossing significant numbers at the global box office. Justin Baldoni, who directed and starred as Ryle Kincaid, is known for his role in Jane the Virgin and for his work as a director on films like Five Feet Apart. The cast also featured Brandon Sklenar and Jenny Slate, who were reportedly caught in the middle of the friction between the two leads.

As the legal proceedings continue to unfold, the industry is watching closely to see how these accusations will impact the careers involved. The release of private emails serves as a reminder that the drama off-screen can sometimes rival, or even exceed, the drama captured on camera.

We would love to hear who you side with in this unfolding Hollywood controversy, so please leave your thoughts in the comments.