Blake Lively’s behind-the-scenes drama surrounding It Ends With Us just took another unexpected turn — and this time, Ben Affleck is caught in the orbit.
Unsealed court documents released on Tuesday, January 20, revealed a previously private email Lively, 38, allegedly sent in May 2024 to a high-profile actor she hoped would help her navigate a deeply fraught situation tied to the film. While the recipient’s name was redacted, fans quickly zeroed in on the clues: references to a Dunkin’ commercial, a shared past project (The Town), and a friendly familiarity that pointed straight to Affleck, 53.
Notably, no response to the email was included in the court filings, prompting speculation that Affleck may have chosen not to reply.
The email itself opens warmly:
“It’s Blake. Don’t hang up. I hope life is treating you beautifully. Ryan was going on and on about you recently amongst all that chaos,” Lively wrote, referencing husband Ryan Reynolds. “He was blown away by you. Though he was equally effusive about your Dunkin’ commercial. So know you have a Canadian fan club in my house. And a Burbank one too.”
From there, Lively pivoted to what she described as a “zero pressure” request tied to It Ends With Us, the adaptation that became the center of her public legal battle with costar and director Justin Baldoni.
“I’ve just come out the other side (well almost) of the most upsetting experience I’ve ever had on a movie,” she continued. “The making of doc of this film would be more interesting than the movie could ever be.”
Lively went on to compare her experience to infamous documentaries like Wild Wild Country, Fyre Festival, Going Clear, The Room and Room. She claimed she was forced to rewrite and restructure “the entire film” and said she essentially had to direct it herself.
“I also ended up having to direct the movie via the chaotic clown ‘director’/actor/producer/financier/studio head at the center. Yes that’s all the same person,” she wrote. “Oh and did I mention he and everyone he had on the movie is in a cult.”
She added that formally directing the film would have been “much easier” than dealing with Baldoni’s “taste, ego and preexisting decisions,” noting she hadn’t even touched on “the wild HR issues and beyond.”
As the email continued, Lively explained that she and Baldoni were in a “bake off” over competing edits of the film and asked Affleck to watch her version and offer feedback.
“I just really want this to work after all I’ve put into it,” she wrote. “This movie nearly killed me. And I can think of very few people who would be as prescriptive and insightful as I know you would be.”
She also mentioned hoping Affleck’s then-wife Jennifer Lopez might watch the film as well. “I’m such a fan of Jennifer’s… and it would be an honor to have her take,” Lively added.
Lively concluded by noting that Reynolds had reached out to Matt Damon — subtly referenced via Jason Bourne — with a similar request.
Lively previously filed a complaint against Baldoni with the California Civil Rights Department before suing him over sexual harassment claims. Baldoni has denied the allegations and filed a countersuit, which was dismissed in June 2025. The two are expected to face off in civil court later this year.
Whether Affleck ignored the email or simply chose to stay out of the drama remains unclear.
