Thomas Canestraro, the stunt double for Justin Baldoni in It Ends With Us, has shared new details about the tense environment during filming. In an interview with Daily Mail, he described delays, discomfort among the crew, and a noticeable shift in Blake Lively‘s behavior compared to their previous collaboration.
Canestraro joined the production in early 2024 for what was supposed to be a five-day shoot. Instead, he stayed for two weeks due to unexpected delays. “You could tell that the set was tense,” he said. “There was some discomfort from everybody.” He recalled questioning why scenes took longer than planned and why the schedule kept changing.
The stuntman had worked with Lively on A Simple Favor (2018) and remembered her as professional and easygoing. However, during It Ends With Us, he noticed she seemed “closed off.” He initially thought her husband, Ryan Reynolds, visited the set as a supportive gesture but later wondered if Reynolds was there because Lively was struggling emotionally.
The behind-the-scenes tension gained clarity after Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in December 2024. She accused him of s*xual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Baldoni denied the claims and countersued Lively and Reynolds for $400 million, alleging defamation and interference.
Canestraro said he hasn’t stayed in touch with Baldoni but remembered him as “extremely friendly” on set. He avoided taking sides, acknowledging that Baldoni has a family and the situation must be difficult for everyone involved. The legal battle is set for trial in March 2026.
It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoover‘s bestselling novel, was released in August 2024. The film follows a woman in an abusive relationship, played by Lively, with Baldoni as her on-screen partner. Despite the controversy, it was a box office success, earning $351 million worldwide.
During promotions, Lively faced criticism for not addressing the film’s heavy themes of domestic violence. Some fans found her upbeat marketing tone and floral-themed press tour insensitive. Meanwhile, Baldoni was absent from most promotional events, fueling speculation about a rift between him and the cast.
Lively’s lawsuit claims Baldoni improvised kissing scenes and pushed for more intimate scenes without an intimacy coordinator. Baldoni’s legal team argues she used harassment allegations to gain creative control over the film. The case has drawn attention from advocacy groups, with some supporting Lively’s right to speak out under California’s anti-retaliation laws.
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