Justin Baldoni Claims Blake Lively Urged Isabela Ferrer to ‘Shun’ Him Despite Her Allegedly Calling IEWU Set ‘Safe’: Complaint

In his lawsuit against Lively, the ‘It Ends with Us’ director-star claims that she “induced other cast members to shun” him

(Left-right:) Justin Baldoni; Blake Lively; Isabela Ferrer. Photo: Araya Doheny/Variety via Getty; Lia Toby/Getty, Taylor Hill/WireImage

Justin Baldoni is claiming Blake Lively urged their It Ends with Us costar to “shun” him in his lawsuit against the actress-producer.

In a 179-page, $400 million suit filed on Thursday, Jan. 16, Baldoni, 40, sued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and their publicist, claiming defamation and extortion over behind-the-scenes conflict on the set of the hit movie. One of the director-star’s allegations is that Lively, 37, “induced the other cast members to shun Baldoni, in an early attempt to give fans the impression that Baldoni had committed an egregious sin.”

Isabela Ferrer, who played the younger version of Lively’s character Lily in flashbacks, was among the It Ends with Us collaborators who reportedly unfollowed Baldoni on social media and did not appear with him during the movie’s promotion and premiere events.

Per Baldoni’s lawsuit, “the unfollowing of Baldoni by cast members and even the author of the book” on which the movie is based, Colleen Hoover, was “in stark contrast to the warm praise and appreciation cast members had until that point always showered on him.”

Blake Lively and Isabela Ferrer in 2024.Jeff Spicer/Getty

The suit contains screenshotted texts purportedly from Ferrer, 24, indicating that she thanked Baldoni “for an incredible experience” on her first feature film. She allegedly wrote, “you are such a wonderful, smart and sincere director and you created such a comfortable, safe space for me to feel like I could fully step into this role. I couldn’t have asked for a more welcoming environment. It will stay with me for the rest of my life!!”

Baldoni’s suit continues: “Tellingly, Ferrer worked with Baldoni when Lively was not on the set; it was not until Ferrer spent substantial time with Lively during film promotions that Ferrer felt compelled to shun Baldoni in repudiation of her warm words.”

Lively, in a Dec. 20 complaint, sued Baldoni and his associates, alleging sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign against her. In the filing, she claimed Baldoni exhibited “disturbing” and “unprofessional” behavior on the It Ends with Us set, causing a “hostile work environment” and “grief, fear, trauma, and extreme anxiety.”

Justin Baldoni in 2024.John Nacion/Variety via Getty

That complaint included allegations that Baldoni filmed a sex scene between Ferrer’s character and Alex Neustaedter as young Atlas that was not in early scripts. Baldoni, the suit alleged, added “a simulated sex scene” — including “a close up of Young Lily’s face, accompanied by an audible gasp at the moment of penetration” — which was included in his initial cut of the film.

Per Lively’s filing, she “was informed that when this scene was shot, after Mr. Baldoni called ‘cut,’ he walked over to the actors and said, ‘I know I’m not supposed to say this, but that was hot,’ and, ‘did you two practice this before?’”

Ferrer has not spoken out since the first of Lively’s legal filings. A rep for the actress did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Left-right:) Brandon Sklenar, Colleen Hoover, Isabela Ferrer and Blake Lively in 2024.Eric Charbonneau/Getty

Other It Ends with Us collaborators have voiced their support of Lively in the wake of her complaint.

Costar Jenny Slate called Lively “a leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support for me and so many who know and love her,” voicing her “support as she takes action against those reported to have planned and carried out an attack on her reputation.”

Brandon Sklenar, who played the older version of Atlas in the film, urged fans to read Lively’s Dec. 20 complaint in a supportive social media post. Hoover, 45, addressed Lively on social media as well, writing, “you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met.”

Last August, Ferrer called Lively “an angel” in an interview with PEOPLE. “She greeted me with the warmest hug ever, and from then on, it was just wonderful warmth and friendship,” she said of first meeting the Gossip Girl alum. “To be able to connect with the person that you’re sharing a role with is huge, and she’s just a really good person.”