Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni avoided a royal legal battle with Lively’s surprise settlement And it ends with us The sexual harassment lawsuit was filed against him earlier this week.
But even with an ugly trial avoided and now dealing with legal and punitive damages, the actress, actor and director now faces a trial of a different kind. Namely, rebuilding their careers in Hollywood.
“They’re in prison. Both of them,” says a senior studio executive.
This sentiment was echoed repeatedly by many agents, producers, studio executives and casting directors informally surveyed by the Hollywood Reporter On the question of what’s next for both careers. It should be noted that the thoughts expressed did not diminish the talent of either of them, which can be seen in their body of work, but assessed the damage each had suffered from a protracted legal and PR battle in which pyrrhic victories were the best outcomes.
Lively led and produced 2024 And it ends with usa drama that Baldoni directed, produced, and also starred in. The film was a huge box-office hit, earning $351 worldwide on a budget of $25 million. The two fought not over profits or credits, but the filming and public relations machinations behind the film, including accusations of sexual harassment and smear campaigns, with both sides filing lawsuits and countersuits.
“Who wants to work with people who go to that extent?” says a high-ranking studio executive.
Notes casting director Matthew Barry, known for features such as Notebook and Rush hour“They’re both going through a tough time.” Barry points out that negative headlines around their controversial split led to a lengthy studio hiatus for Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, even though the former stars in the upcoming Paramount film Ebenezer: A Christmas Carolhis first major studio film since 2018.
Most sources THR Poll respondents agree that much of Hollywood would be reticent about working with Lively and Baldoni, though most acknowledge that Lively’s path back would be easier.
Many believe Lively should take a break from the public eye and “think about what part you choose next,” says another executive who has worked with talent mired in controversy before.
“If I were her, I would play the villain and tend to carry the baggage,” one producer joked.
Regardless of any comebacks, Lively’s brand has been a huge success. One studio executive believes the actress could have earned $12 million after the payday And it ends with us. “Today, it’s worth $3 million,” this person says.
This estimate is consistent with court filings in which Lively estimated the reputational ramifications as a result of the alleged smear campaign that cost her more than $100 million. She indicated that she was on track to secure roles in films that would have involved salaries ranging from $10 million to $15 million each.
Most agree that Baldoni, meanwhile, faces a tougher road back.
“With claims that the set was unsafe, it’s hard to imagine he could pick a movie,” says one studio executive.
A casting director speculates that instead of direct, Baldoni could return to his roots as a TV player, where he appeared as a romantic interest on The CW. Jane the Virgin. This person doesn’t think he’ll be directing anytime soon.
Another casting director, Gene Rudin, believes Baldoni will work again, but his association with running a controversial group could be a mark against him, at least in the short term.
“We’re at risk with anyone we hire for anything,” says Rudlin, the HarperCollins author. Confessions of a casting directorfrom any casting process. “I just want to work with great people, on and off set. Now more than ever, we really need to be good, kind human beings to each other,” she adds of her overall hiring philosophy.
However, Baldoni’s road back may be easier thanks to his company Wayfarer, which has the backing of billionaire Steve Sarowitz, meaning he could probably finance his films himself. “He can get his career back, but no one will hire him now,” says one studio executive.
One agent points out that Hollywood is harder for women than men in these situations, pointing to Depp’s return Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol After his acrimonious divorce from Heard. “You never hear the name Amber,” when people discuss this film, this agent notes. “It’s easier for men.”
Then there’s the Ryan Reynolds question. Reynolds, who is married to Lively, was named in Baldoni’s now-dismissed countersuit, and has been hovering over the proceedings as he supports his partner. Along the way, his reputation also took a hit due to collateral damage. Several sources say Apple has been hesitant about dating action-comedy Ryan Reynolds may day for several months before finally committing to the September 4 date in early February.
Reynolds, one of the highest-paid actors in town, could be looking to take a pay cut in the near future, though his new appearance as Deadpool will serve as an asterisk.
An agency partner suggests that Reynolds could regain goodwill and credibility by doing something smaller and more disruptive as his next film rather than a major studio production.
“He should do a large-scale Van Wilder film and regain his composure,” the agency partner says, only half-jokingly.
—Ryan Gajewski, Mia Galupo and Aaron Koch contributed reporting.
