Justin Baldoni Alleges Blake Lively Never Read “It Ends with Us” Book Before Making Movie: It 'Worried' Her Colleagues

Justin Baldoni is alleging his It Ends with Us costar Blake Lively did not read Colleen Hoover's blockbuster book the movie is based on as he sues her and others for $400 million.

In the 179-page lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York on Thursday, Jan. 16, attorneys on behalf of Baldoni (who also directed the movie), 40, plus producer Jamey Heath, publicist Jennifer Abel and crisis publicist Melissa Nathan claim that Lively made "wrongheaded creative decisions" that "reflected her fundamental lack of understanding of the book the film was based on."

"This came as no surprise to her worried colleagues, given that, even well into production, Lively had not even read the book," the lawsuit alleged of the actress, 37.

A text message from Baldoni to Heath that's included in the lawsuit says that the creative team read and re-read Hoover's novel, and afterward "combined scenes to heighten the stakes for" Baldoni's character Ryle Kincaid "in pursuit of" Lively's character Lily Bloom, "utilizing humor and his desire to sleep with her."

"While I understand Blake's reasons for not wanting to read the book, the book does a very good job in getting in Lily's mind during her interactions with Ryle and setting up the WHY behind her attraction to him, which ultimately helps us understand why she stays in the end," the text message included in the lawsuit reads.

Both the book and movie version of It Ends With Us follows Lily Bloom (Lively) as she embarks on a romance with Ryle (Baldoni), but over time, his violent side emerges. 

Related: It Ends with Us: The Biggest Changes Between Colleen Hoover's Book and the Blake Lively Movie

Back in April 2024, Lively told PEOPLE of her character in a statement surrounding an exclusive first look at the film, "Lily resonated with an enormous amount of people, as the success of the book made clear. Stepping into a character who’s had such a meaningful impact is an honor to take on."

"I loved Lily. And I hope that love is felt by those who care about her like I do, and also those who are getting to know her for the first time in this film," she added.

As for Lively as Lily, Baldoni described the actress to PEOPLE at the time as "strong, funny and intelligent — all the things you want from female heroine."

"There wasn't a part of this production that she didn't touch and have influence on. And everything she put her hands on and her mind to, she made better," he added at the time.

But in the new lawsuit — which Baldoni and his team filed not only against Lively but also her husband Ryan Reynolds, their publicist Leslie Sloane and Sloane's PR firm Vision PR, Inc. — the plaintiffs allege that Lively's involvement in the film exhibited "a need for control."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Per the filing, the Gossip Girl alum "was not content merely to headline one of the year’s biggest movies," the plaintiffs allege. "Instead, apparently driven by overweening ambition and a need for control, Lively eventually leveraged her power as a wealthy celebrity to wrest the reins from her costar and the film’s director, Baldoni."

The lawsuit went on to say that Lively "insist(ed) on total control over every aspect of the film she could get her hands on, from wardrobe to marketing strategy to music, even creating her own cut of the film," alleging that her "power play cost numerous people their jobs."

Lively was also an executive producer on the project.

Related: The Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Lawsuits, Explained: A Complete Breakdown of the Allegations, Key Players and Who's Said What

In her initial filing on Dec. 20, 2024, Lively claimed Baldoni exhibited “disturbing" and “unprofessional” behavior on set that led to a "hostile work environment."

Lively's complaint includes accusations that Baldoni and producer Heath entered her trailer “uninvited” while she was undressed or “vulnerable,” alleges Baldoni “suddenly” pressured her to “simulate full nudity” in a birth scene and “improvised physical intimacy that had not been rehearsed, choreographed or discussed with Ms. Lively, with no intimacy coordinator involved."

Her complaint claims that in the aftermath of the experience and the alleged smear campaign against her, Lively “has suffered from grief, fear, trauma, and extreme anxiety.”

Lively's rep did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new lawsuit.

Read the original article on People