Paul Feig Defends Blake Lively Amid Legal Dispute With Justin Baldoni

Director Paul Feig has publicly defended actress Blake Lively, praising her professionalism and criticizing the public backlash she has received online. The controversy stems from Lively’s ongoing legal battle with actor and director Justin Baldoni, her co-star in the upcoming film ‘It Ends with Us’. Lively filed a lawsuit in December 2024 accusing Baldoni of launching a retaliatory smear campaign after she reported instances of sexual harassment and raised concerns about workplace safety. In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million countersuit for defamation and contractual breaches, naming Lively and others, including her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds.

Feig, who recently directed Lively in the upcoming sequel ‘Another Simple Favor’, expressed frustration in an Esquire interview over how the public misinterprets the filmmaking process. He emphasized that top actors, including Lively, are deeply involved in their projects and do not simply show up and follow instructions. He described Lively as “an amazing collaborator” and criticized the internet outrage culture as misdirected and unproductive. The legal dispute is expected to culminate in a trial scheduled for March 2026. Meanwhile, Lively has spoken candidly about enduring emotional highs and lows over the past year, suggesting the personal toll of the legal proceedings.