Justin Baldoni felt ‘sidelined’ by Blake Lively as she ‘stifled creativity’ on ‘It Ends With Us’ set: report

Justin Baldoni reportedly felt “sidelined” by Blake Lively while directing and starring alongside her in their new film, “It Ends With Us.”

“There were two camps on the film — team Blake and team Justin. This creative struggle set the tone for the negative experience behind the scenes and grew into them not speaking anymore,” a source told Us Weekly in a story published Thursday.

The insider claimed that even though Baldoni, 40, was the director of the movie, he still felt “hurt and sidelined” while Lively made various decisions about the movie, like script and wardrobe changes, “often without consulting Justin or his team.”

Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, pictured here in Jersey City in January 2024, reportedly faced a “creative struggle” on the set of “It Ends With Us.” GC Images A source told Us Weekly that Baldoni, pictured here at the “It Ends With Us” New York City premiere on Aug. 6, felt “sidelined” by Lively. WireImage Baldoni directed and starred alongside Lively in the new film, based on Colleen Hoover’s novel of the same name. Jose Perez / SplashNews.com

“[Justin] was made to feel that his vision wasn’t as important as Blake’s, and it stifled the creativity on set,” the source continued.

The insider alleged that the two also experienced “creative differences” that “had been building up since day one.”

However, a second source assured the outlet that “any changes or input by Blake was to create the best film possible and [to] honor the book,” referring to the Colleen Hoover novel of the same name that the movie is based on.

The “Jane the Virgin” actor and “Gossip Girl” alum reportedly butted heads over the direction of the movie. GC Images Another insider denied that Lively, pictured filming with Baldoni in May 2023, went “behind [Justin’s] back.” Elder Ordonez / SplashNews.com

“Blake was a producer and worked closely with Colleen and other female team members on set. Without [Justin’s] input does not mean [she went] behind his back,” the second source explained.

A third source went on allege that the “Gossip Girl” actress, 36, simply “does not have a good opinion” of the “Jane the Virgin” actor.

Reps for Baldoni and Lively did not respond to Page Six’s requests for comment.

Fans began to wonder if the cast was feuding when Baldoni was not photographed with the rest of the cast, like Brandon Sklenar, pictured here. Getty Images for Sony Pictures Lively, seen here at the “It Ends With Us” premiere on Aug. 6, also seemed to avoid talking to Baldoni at the premiere. WireImage

The latest comments come amid ongoing frenzy involving a possible feud between Baldoni and Lively.

Fans initially began to question the cast dynamics when the two didn’t do any press together –– despite starring in leading roles –– and also didn’t pose for any photos next to each other at the New York City premiere on Aug. 6.

A source later told Page Six that Baldoni made Lively feel “uncomfortable” and created an “extremely difficult” atmosphere on set.

“None of the cast enjoyed working with Justin …They certainly didn’t talk to him at the premiere,” one insider told us.

A source previously told Page Six that Baldoni made Lively feel “uncomfortable.” GC Images Both Baldoni and Lively have kept tight-lipped on their rumored rift. Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com

Meanwhile, TMZ reported that Lively felt “fat-shamed” by Baldoni after he asked an on-set trainer how much she weighed prior to him lifting her for a scene.

Lively was reportedly “bothered” by the ask as she had just given birth to her fourth child, a baby boy named Olin, a few months prior to production starting last year.

The “Gossip Girl” alum also shares daughters James, 9, Inez, 7, and Betty, 4, with husband Ryan Reynolds.