The behind-the-scenes legal battle surrounding the film adaptation of “It Ends With Us” has intensified, with director and star Justin Baldoni formally denying serious allegations of bullying and intimidation made by his young co-star, Isabela Ferrer. The dispute, unfolding in legal filings, adds a layer of controversy to the upcoming movie’s promotion.

New court documents obtained by People magazine on August 18, 2025, reveal Baldoni’s legal team forcefully pushing back against Ferrer’s claims. The documents dismiss her accusations as an “inappropriate attack” on Baldoni and his counsel concerning matters “irrelevant” to the court. This marks the first direct legal response from Baldoni’s camp addressing the harassment allegations head-on.

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The conflict stems from a broader legal fight between Baldoni and the film’s lead, Blake Lively. Earlier, Ferrer, who played the younger version of Lively’s character, Lily, was subpoenaed by both parties. According to Ferrer’s legal team, Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, refused to reimburse her court-mandated legal fees unless she allowed them to control her testimony and response to Lively’s subpoena. Her attorneys alleged that Baldoni engaged in “manipulation, intimidation, and other inappropriate conduct” to sway her legal position.

In the latest rebuttal, Baldoni’s lawyers argued that their subpoena was a standard and valid legal procedure to obtain documents that Ferrer had not previously provided or that fell outside the scope of Lively’s original February subpoena. They firmly stated that merely issuing a subpoena does not constitute harassment, labeling Ferrer’s claim as entirely “without merit.”

Legal experts suggest such public, acrimonious disputes can significantly impact a film’s reputation and box office performance. “When a production is marred by public allegations of misconduct, it shifts the public’s focus from the art to the drama, potentially alienating segments of the audience,” notes a veteran entertainment lawyer cited in industry analysis. The personal nature of the accusations, involving a young actress and an established director, creates a complex PR challenge for the studio.

The situation has been brewing for months. In a previous public move, Baldoni shared a private text exchange with Ferrer on his social media in January, a move seen by some as an attempt to preemptively shape the narrative. With a trial now officially scheduled for March 2026, the legal and public relations war over “It Ends With Us” is far from over.

The core of the dispute between the two camps remains a clash over legal control and testimony. Baldoni’s side maintains they are exercising standard legal rights, while Ferrer’s team portrays it as an oppressive tactic. The court will ultimately have to decide on the validity of the subpoenas and the allegations of misconduct, a process that will keep this Hollywood scandal in the headlines for the foreseeable future.

This escalating legal feud threatens to overshadow the release of “It Ends With Us,” demonstrating how off-screen drama can profoundly impact multi-million dollar productions and the reputations of those involved. Follow reputable entertainment news sources for continued coverage on this developing story.

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Must Know

Q: What exactly did Isabela Ferrer accuse Justin Baldoni of?
A: Isabela Ferrer accused Justin Baldoni and his production company of bullying, manipulation, and intimidation. Specifically, she alleged they refused to pay her legal fees unless she allowed them to control her response to a subpoena from Blake Lively’s legal team.

Q: How has Justin Baldoni responded to the allegations?
A: Through his legal team, Baldoni has categorically denied all allegations. His lawyers filed court documents dismissing the claims as an “inappropriate attack” and argued that their subpoena was a valid legal request, not a form of harassment.

Q: What is the connection to Blake Lively?
A: Blake Lively is the star of “It Ends With Us” and is engaged in a separate legal dispute with director Justin Baldoni. Isabela Ferrer was subpoenaed by both parties for information relevant to their cases, placing her in the middle of their conflict.

Q: What is the current status of the legal case?
A: As of the latest reports, a trial for the broader legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has been scheduled for March 2026. The recent filings concerning Isabela Ferrer’s allegations are part of the pre-trial proceedings.

Q: Who is Isabela Ferrer?
A: Isabela Ferrer is an actress who played the younger version of Blake Lively’s character, Lily Bloom, in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel “It Ends With Us.”

Q: What is Wayfarer Studios?
A: Wayfarer Studios is a production company co-founded by Justin Baldoni. It is involved in producing “It Ends With Us” and was directly named in Isabela Ferrer’s allegations regarding the handling of her legal fees.