Justin Baldoni Pushes Back on Blake Lively’s Sealing Request, Says It Shields Key Witnesses

Justin Baldoni is pushing back against Blake Lively’s effort to keep certain names out of the public record, arguing that her request goes too far and unfairly limits his ability to defend himself.

In a filing submitted Monday, Baldoni objected to Lively’s motion to seal the identities of famous friends she allegedly confided in during the dispute surrounding the film It Ends with Us. Baldoni’s legal team claims the request exceeds what the law allows and suggests it is designed to protect people whose involvement could reflect poorly on Lively’s case.

A major focus of Baldoni’s objection is Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds. While Lively’s lawyers have described Reynolds as an “innocent third party,” Baldoni’s team argues that Reynolds played a direct role in the film’s production. According to the filing, Reynolds rewrote a scene in the movie and later confronted Baldoni following an alleged comment about Lively’s weight.

Because of this alleged involvement, Baldoni contends Reynolds is not a peripheral figure but could be a key witness in the case. His lawyers argue that labeling Reynolds as an unrelated third party misrepresents his role and undermines the transparency required in the legal process.

Baldoni also claims Lively is attempting to conceal the identities of other well-known figures whom she allegedly “recruited as advocates” in her effort to gain control over aspects of the film and challenge the Wayfarer Studios parties. Baldoni’s team says knowing who these individuals are is critical to his defense.

In their objection, Baldoni’s lawyers point out what they describe as an inconsistency: Lively has already disclosed the names of several high-profile people she reportedly confided in, including Taylor Swift, Hugh Jackman, Emily Blunt, and America Ferrera. Baldoni’s team argues that selectively sealing other names raises questions about motive and fairness.

Wayfarer Studios has now asked the judge to deny most of Lively’s sealing requests, maintaining that openness is necessary for the case to proceed properly.

Lively first filed her lawsuit against Baldoni in late 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment and other misconduct. While the case has moved slowly, it has continued to progress. Over the summer, Lively was deposed, with Baldoni present in the room, marking one of the most significant developments so far in the legal battle.

As the dispute continues, the court will now decide whether Lively can keep certain identities sealed—or whether Baldoni’s defense will have access to all the names he says are essential to his case.