Sun May 04 08:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Director Paul Feig Defends Blake Lively Amidst Legal Battle with Justin Baldoni
**LOS ANGELES, CA** – Director Paul Feig has come to the defense of actress Blake Lively amidst her ongoing, high-profile legal feud with “It Ends with Us” director Justin Baldoni. Feig, who directed Lively in “Another Simple Favor,” lauded Lively as “an amazing collaborator,” pushing back against online criticism surrounding her work ethic and the circumstances of the lawsuit.
Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in December 2024, alleging a retaliatory smear campaign after she reported sexual harassment and workplace safety concerns on the set of “It Ends with Us.” Baldoni countersued, alleging defamation and seeking $400 million in damages. The trial is scheduled for March 9, 2026.
Feig, in an interview with Esquire, dismissed online outrage as “the most boring emotion humans have these days,” arguing that many misunderstand the realities of filmmaking. He stated that the notion of movie stars simply showing up and reading a script is a misconception, defending Lively’s professional conduct.
Lively herself recently spoke about experiencing “the highest of highs and the lowest of lows” over the past year, a statement that seems to allude to the legal battle. The situation remains highly contentious, with both sides engaged in a public exchange of accusations.
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