The ongoing legal situation related to “It Ends With Us” escalates as director Justin Baldoni takes legal action against The New York Times for libel, following claims made during Blake Lively’s public controversy.

According to court filings obtained by YSL News, Baldoni initiated a $250 million lawsuit against the Times in the Los Angeles Superior Court on New Year’s Eve. He is part of a group of ten plaintiffs, which includes publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, as well as producers Jamey Heath and Steve Sarowitz from “It Ends With Us.”

The group accuses the newspaper of libel and invasion of privacy through false light concerning the article titled, “‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine,” published on December 21. Lively also lodged a legal complaint against Baldoni on the same day, which YSL News has reviewed.

Variety was the first to publish this information.

Attorney Bryan Freedman, representing Baldoni, stated to YSL News, “This ruthless smear campaign has been completely orchestrated by Blake Lively and her team, with The New York Times succumbing to the demands of two powerful Hollywood figures. They ignored media ethics and high journalistic standards by using manipulated texts and leaving out crucial information that contradicts their narrative.”

“The publication has clearly predetermined the outcome of its story, thus enabling and supporting its damaging PR campaign intended to repair Lively’s falling public persona and counter growing criticism online. The irony is striking,” Baldoni’s lawyer added.

In Lively’s complaint from December 21, she accused Baldoni of collaborating with a PR firm to orchestrate a campaign that aimed to “destroy” her reputation after she raised concerns about his behavior on set. The filing included text messages from Baldoni that provided insight into the off-set controversy and speculation about a feud between the two.

In the 87-page complaint filed on Tuesday, Baldoni and the other plaintiffs assert that the Times based its article on “cherry-picked” information that was altered, lacking necessary context to mislead readers.

Baldoni’s attorney emphasized in a statement on Tuesday, “We are taking action against The New York Times for misleading the public, and we will also pursue those individuals who have abused their influence to harm our clients. Unlike those who rely on partial truths, we are presenting the full story – with all relevant communications. Ultimately, the public will judge the situation just as they did at the onset of this conflict.”

Blake Lively responds to Justin Baldoni’s lawsuit against the New York Times

On Tuesday, Lively’s legal representatives responded to Baldoni’s lawsuit in a statement provided to YSL News.

The statement clarified that Baldoni’s lawsuit does not alter the validity of claims made in Lively’s complaint through the California Civil Rights Department. They also mentioned that Lively had filed a federal complaint earlier on the same day.

“This lawsuit rests on the unfounded assumption that Ms. Lively’s complaint against Wayfarer and others was merely a tactic and that she was not genuinely pursuing legal action against Baldoni. This perspective is incorrect, as evidenced by the federal complaint she filed earlier today,” the statement read. “While we prefer not to discuss the case publicly, we encourage everyone to review Ms. Lively’s complete complaint. We look forward to addressing all allegations made by Wayfarer in court.”