Justin Baldoni will not attend the Cannes Film Festival premiere of Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, set for May 20, 2025. The film, backed by Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios, is caught in the crossfire of his ongoing legal feud with Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.
Baldoni’s decision comes as he faces a high-stakes trial tied to allegations from their 2024 film It Ends With Us. Wayfarer Studios plans to support the film’s cast and crew at Cannes despite his absence. The legal drama threatens to overshadow Johansson’s project, which features stars like June Squibb and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
The feud between Baldoni and Lively began during the production of It Ends With Us, a film about domestic violence that grossed $350 million worldwide. Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her. She filed a complaint in December 2024, alleging inappropriate behavior on set. Baldoni denied the claims and responded with a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and the New York Times.
Baldoni’s absence from Cannes is tied to the escalating legal battle. Sources say the trial, set for March 9, 2026, has already cost him significant opportunities. Wayfarer Studios was dropped by their agency, William Morris Endeavor, after Lively’s allegations surfaced. Baldoni claims he lost “three jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars” due to the dispute.
“The success or failure of this Baldoni-produced film will be highly relevant in court,” attorney Lisa Bloom told DailyMail.com. “If it flops, Baldoni will blame the Blake Lively lawsuit. If it succeeds, his theory that he can’t make it in Hollywood because of Blake Lively will be obliterated.”
Eleanor the Great follows a 90-year-old woman befriending a 19-year-old student in New York City. The film competes in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section. Wayfarer Studios, co-founded by Baldoni in 2019, has backed projects like The Garfield Movie and Five Feet Apart. Despite the legal turmoil, the studio remains committed to promoting Johansson’s debut.
Lively’s allegations include Baldoni showing nude videos, discussing his past pornography addiction, and making inappropriate comments about her weight. Her complaint also accuses Baldoni’s team of launching a digital campaign to tarnish her reputation. An all-hands meeting, attended by Reynolds, was held during filming to address her concerns.
“We stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation,” said Lively’s Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel.
Baldoni’s countersuit alleges Lively and Reynolds tried to seize creative control of It Ends With Us. He claims they sidelined him during production and promotion. His legal team released text messages and a video of a dance scene to refute Lively’s harassment claims. Lively’s lawyers called the footage “damning” and supportive of her account.
“Justin and team have the right to defend themselves with the truth,” Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman told Us Weekly.
The legal battle has sparked public reactions. Amber Heard, who faced her own high-profile defamation case, supported Lively, noting similarities in PR tactics. She said she witnessed “firsthand” how social media misinformation can be “horrifying” and “destructive.” Actor Brandon Sklenar also backed Lively, urging fans to read her complaint.
“I saw this firsthand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive,” Amber Heard said on US morning TV about Baldoni’s alleged smear campaign.
Johansson has not commented on the feud, but her husband, Colin Jost, referenced it during a Saturday Night Live sketch in April 2025. He jokingly compared Baldoni’s desire to work with Lively again to an unlikely reconciliation. Baldoni’s lawyer expressed surprise at the humor, given the serious allegations.
“I’m unaware of anybody whose wife has been sexually harassed and has made jokes about that type of situation,” Bryan Freedman said on the Hot Mics with Billy Bush podcast.
The dispute has affected other projects. Baldoni’s planned Pac-Man movie, in development since 2022, is now uncertain. Wayfarer Studios faces scrutiny as partners reassess their ties amid the controversy. Lively, meanwhile, promoted her new film, Another Simple Favor, at the SXSW Film Festival in March 2025.
Sony, which distributed It Ends With Us, has been drawn into the conflict. The studio issued a statement praising Lively’s commitment to domestic violence advocacy but omitted Baldoni. Court filings reveal Sony mediated disputes between the stars during production. Both sides may subpoena Sony executives for the trial.
Lively plans to testify at the trial, according to her legal team. She spoke about her “intense year” on Late Night with Seth Meyers in May 2025, emphasizing her fight for a safer world for women. Her lawyers have accused Baldoni of abusing the legal process with his “vengeful” lawsuit.
“The ultimate moment for a plaintiff’s story to be told is at trial. We expect that to be the case here,” Lively’s lawyer told People.
The Cannes premiere of Eleanor the Great will proceed without Baldoni. Wayfarer Studios vows to champion the film’s message. As the legal battle looms, the industry watches closely to see how the trial will impact Baldoni, Lively, and Johansson’s project.
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