Blake Lively is once again at the center of Hollywood controversy after newly unsealed court documents allegedly revealed a private email she sent to Ben Affleck during the turbulent production of It Ends With Us. While rumors of tension on set had circulated for months, the leaked message paints a far more explosive picture than anyone previously realized.
According to the filing, Lively reached out to Affleck on May 17, 2024, asking for his feedback on the film while repeatedly stressing there was “zero pressure.” Despite that disclaimer, the email reads like a desperate plea from an actress who felt pushed to her breaking point. Lively reportedly described the project as the most upsetting experience of her career and suggested the behind-the-scenes drama would be more captivating than the movie itself.
In the message, she allegedly compared the production to a bizarre mashup of infamous documentaries, invoking Wild Wild Country, Fyre Festival, and Going Clear, before labeling director and co-star Justin Baldoni a “chaotic clown.” She went even further, claiming Baldoni and others involved were operating as part of a cult-like environment on set.
The email also outlines what Lively characterized as an intense power struggle. She reportedly told Affleck that she ended up rewriting and restructuring the script herself and effectively directing the film through Baldoni rather than being officially given control. She briefly referenced serious HR issues without offering details, hinting at deeper problems behind the scenes.
Post-production appears to have been just as fraught. Lively claimed she was placed in a high-stakes editing “bake off” against Baldoni, who had been working on his cut of the film for months. According to the email, she was given just ten days to finish her version, with a looming deadline only days away. That pressure is what prompted her outreach to Affleck, asking if he could spare just under two hours to watch the film and offer notes.
The message also suggests Lively was seeking validation from Hollywood heavyweights during a moment of extreme stress. She allegedly invited feedback not only from Affleck but also from his family, noting the film’s sensitive themes involving domestic violence. At one point, she reportedly admitted the movie nearly destroyed her.
The resurfaced email arrives as Lively’s legal dispute with Baldoni continues to unfold, offering an unfiltered glimpse into her mindset at the height of the chaos. While representatives for those involved have not commented on the leaked message, the allegations have reignited debate about what really happened on the It Ends With Us set—and whether the drama off-camera may ultimately overshadow the film itself.
