Justin Baldoni thought he was constructing momentum behind probably the most anticipated e book variations in latest reminiscence.
As an alternative, personal voice notes he despatched to Blake Lively have resurfaced in courtroom filings, and they’re elevating new questions on casting decisions, inventive management, and what actually occurred behind the scenes of “It Ends with Us.”
What started as a advertising and marketing technique and script collaboration has now change into a part of a authorized battle value tons of of tens of millions.
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Justin Baldoni Rejected Fan Favourite Abigail Cowan Early On
Lengthy earlier than cameras rolled, Justin Baldoni had already made up his thoughts about who ought to play Lily Bloom.
Whereas hundreds of followers of Colleen Hoover’s novel have been rallying behind Abigail Cowan, Baldoni was centered on Blake Energetic.
In an early voice observe despatched throughout pre-production, the director acknowledged that Cowan had sturdy fan assist.
“Earlier than we introduced you and for a few years, Abigail Cowan was who loads of the younger followers wished to be Lily,” he informed Energetic in an audio clip obtained by the Daily Mail.
Nonetheless, he shortly dismissed that path, explaining that Cowan “seems to be so younger and naturally that wasn’t the film I used to be going to make or was eager about making.”
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Baldoni was clear about tone. He didn’t need, as he put it, “some 22-year-old recent out of school” on the heart of the story.
“That’s not the film I used to be eager about making,” he mentioned, signaling that he envisioned a extra mature portrayal of Lily’s difficult journey.
On the time of filming in mid-2023, Cowan would have been 25. Nonetheless, the 42-year-old maintained that she didn’t carefully resemble Energetic sufficient to make the story plausible.
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Baldoni Championed Blake Energetic From The Begin
Fairly than comply with the net marketing campaign, Justin Baldoni centered on convincing Energetic to take the function.
In accordance with the recordings, he believed pairing her with a youthful actress who resembled her would strengthen the story.
He admitted casting Cowan may need happy hardcore readers and even described it as a probably sturdy advertising and marketing transfer that might give audiences “what they wished and what they didn’t know they wished – each of you guys in the identical movie.” Nonetheless, inventive consistency mattered extra to him.
As an alternative, Baldoni favored Isabela Ferrer for younger Lily. He informed Energetic, “She’s a beast, and as quickly as she got here on the display, I used to be like, ‘Ooof. I might see younger you in her.’”
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He added that Ferrer had “depth” and insisted that viewers would “legitimately say she seems to be like Blake,” whereas casting Cowan may require “a little bit of a suspension of disbelief.”
Ferrer, who’s two-and-a-half years youthful than Cowan and a second cousin of George Clooney, finally landed the function.
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Justin Baldoni Praised Blake Energetic’s Artistic Enter
The voice notes didn’t solely cowl casting. Baldoni additionally spoke at size about working with Energetic on script changes.
He made it clear he valued her perspective, calling on her “genius advertising and marketing mind” to assist evaluate 2,600 submissions for the youthful Lily function.
In a second message discussing script revisions, Baldoni expressed enthusiasm about their collaboration.
“I do know in my bones how excited I’m to work with you as a inventive since you give a sh-t and that’s so f-cking cool, and also you’re good, you’re humorous, and also you’re all of the issues, and also you’re an incredible author,” he mentioned.
He particularly highlighted the vitality she dropped at Lily’s dialogue, noting he “appreciated the banter and the wittiness” she had written.
Baldoni defined he wished audiences to see a completely realized girl coming into a sophisticated relationship with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid, relatively than a naive character recent out of college.
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Baldoni Now Faces A $161 Million Lawsuit
The resurfaced audio is now a part of a broader authorized battle.
Blake Energetic has accused Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment, in addition to defaming and smearing her.
She is searching for $161 million in damages. Baldoni denies the allegations.
Earlier this month, attorneys argued earlier than a federal choose in New York over whether or not Energetic’s case ought to be dismissed. A ruling is pending, and the trial is scheduled for Could.
Baldoni beforehand filed his personal $400 million defamation lawsuit towards Energetic, however that case has already been dismissed.
The voice notes have been included in courtroom reveals as Energetic’s authorized group fights to maintain her claims shifting ahead.
Justin Baldoni’s Casting Alternative Additionally Sparked One other Dispute
Isabela Ferrer’s involvement has additionally change into a part of the controversy.
In August 2025, after being forged as younger Lily, she accused Baldoni of authorized harassment and bullying.
Ferrer alleged that Baldoni’s group used intense, repetitive subpoenas to strain her into taking sides in his ongoing dispute with Energetic.
Recall that on August 12, 2025, Baldoni’s legal professionals filed a movement, claiming that Ferrer had been unreachable and unresponsive.
In her personal submitting, Ferrer argued Baldoni’s motions have been manipulative and aimed to manage her. Baldoni’s group dismissed the claims as with out advantage.
