Baldoni praised Lively's It Ends With Us costume fitting photos in an unsealed voice note, calling her "beautiful" and saying he "legit got the chills"
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In the message, recorded before filming began, the director and actor also asked for Lively's input on a key casting decision after reviewing about 2,600 auditions
Baldoni and Lively have been locked in a bitter legal battle, which is set to head to trial in May
Justin BaldonipraisedBlake Lively'scostume fitting photos and asked for her creative input in a voice note sent just weeks before production began onIt Ends With Us, according to newly unsealed court exhibits related to their ongoing legal battle.
In the audio message, dated April 3, 2023, Baldoni, who directed and costarred in the film, thanked theGossip Girlalum, 38, for sharing photos from her fitting, telling her he "legit got the chills" when they appeared on his phone during a department head meeting.
"You look beautiful," he said. "It's going to work so well."
Baldoni, 42, then asked for Lively's input on a key casting decision, calling on her "genius marketing brain" and "EP brain."
He said the production reviewed roughly 2,600 auditions for the role of the young Lily Bloom, weighing the marketing appeal of fan-favorite Abigail Cohen against newcomerIsabella Ferrera, whom he says more closely resembles Lively.
Araya Doheny/Variety via Getty; Lia Toby/Getty, Taylor Hill/WireImage
"I would love your brilliant mind and love to hear your thoughts," Baldoni told her, adding that he planned to pray and meditate on the decision before discussing it with Sony.
Last week, unsealed filingsrevealed a Feb. 8, 2023, voice note in which Livelyspoke candidly about feeling overwhelmed as she prepared to return to work while juggling multiple projects, a newborn, and family responsibilities.
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"I'm talking to you as a friend at this point more than anything," Lively said in that message.
During production, Baldoni also left Lively a separate voice note apologizingafter the two discussed changes she made to a scene, according to a message that later leaked in January 2025. PEOPLE was unable to verify when that recording was made.
Taylor Hill/WireImage; John Nacion/Variety via Getty
The April 3 voice note was sent several weeks before an April 25, 2023, meeting at Lively's home, during which Lively claimsRyan Reynolds, 49,confronted Baldoni over concerns Lively raised about alleged fat-shaming comments, per her amended complaint.
At a recent court hearing, the judge heard oral arguments centeredon Baldoni's motion for summary judgment, which seeks to dismiss the case before it reaches a jury.
Lively sued Baldoni in December 2024, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation — claims he denies — and isseeking more than $160 million in damages. Baldoni later filed a separate $400 million countersuit accusing Lively of extortion and defamation, which has since been dismissed by a judge.
The trial is currentlyscheduled to begin May 18, 2026.
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