Lights, camera, controversy: Unpacking the intimacy protocol dispute between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively

A heated legal battle is unfolding on the set of the film It Ends With Us as director Justin Baldoni and actress Blake Lively clash over on-set intimacy protocols. At the center of the controversy are handwritten notes from a meeting with an intimacy coordinator—notes Baldoni claims he was forced to relay to Lively after she opted out of the meeting.

According to Baldoni’s amended complaint, the meeting took place in April 2023 to discuss the proper approach to shooting the film’s sex scenes. The notes, which include explicit terms such as “goes down on her,” “orgasm,” and “foreplay,” detail a frank discussion of ideas intended to ensure that the intimate scenes were handled professionally and safely. Baldoni contends that he offered to arrange a meeting for Lively with the intimacy coordinator, but her text reply—“I feel good. I can meet her when we start :) thank you though!”—led him to convey the notes directly to her in person.

The controversy deepened as these notes later became the basis for Lively’s sexual harassment complaint. In the weeks following the meeting, Baldoni explained that discussions regarding Lively’s comfort level were revisited in early May 2023, and a filmed engagement scene was executed without an intimacy coordinator present because it involved only a scripted kiss. However, a leaked 10-minute video from a separate scene has fueled further discord. The footage, which shows Baldoni suggesting additional kisses while Lively repeatedly indicated that her character should simply talk, has been described as “damning” by Lively’s legal team. They argue that every moment captured was improvised, unplanned, and conducted without the necessary professional safeguards.

This dispute is not isolated but part of a broader legal confrontation. Lively is suing Baldoni, his Wayfarer Studios, and others for sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign—allegations that Baldoni denies. In a counter-move, Baldoni has filed lawsuits against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and additional parties, accusing them of defamation and extortion. The legal skirmishes highlight the increasingly critical discussion in Hollywood over the importance of clear protocols, especially for scenes involving intimacy.

Both Baldoni and Lively have publicly underscored the value of intimacy coordinators. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar India, Baldoni noted that intimacy and stunt coordinators were indispensable not only for ensuring safety but also as creative collaborators who elevated the film’s production. Lively, speaking to Digital Spy, stressed that choreography in intimate scenes is essential for maintaining a safe and respectful work environment. Her insistence on having an intimacy coordinator present at all times upon her return to set—after industry strikes had temporarily halted production—underscores the ongoing debate about consent and professional boundaries in filmmaking.

As the legal battles continue to unfold, the dispute between Baldoni and Lively has ignited a broader conversation about on-set safety, consent, and the responsibilities of industry professionals. While the outcome of the lawsuits remains uncertain, the controversy serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between creative expression and the need for clear, respectful communication on film sets.

In a world where the lines between artistry and personal boundaries can sometimes blur, this case is poised to have a lasting impact on industry practices, prompting filmmakers to reexamine the protocols that protect both talent and crew during the creative process.