Hollywood

 

During the 77th Annual Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards on February 8, 2025, filmmaker and comedian Judd Apatow delivered an opening monologue that took aim at the ongoing legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, co-stars of the film It Ends With Us. Apatow humorously referred to the movie as "terrible" and quipped about the high earnings of the musical Wicked, stating, "Usually to make that much money, you have to sue Blake Lively." 

The legal dispute between Lively and Baldoni began in December 2024 when Lively filed a sexual harassment complaint against Baldoni, alleging misconduct during the film's production and accusing him of orchestrating a smear campaign to tarnish her reputation. Baldoni has denied these allegations and, in response, filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane, alleging defamation and extortion. 

The controversy has garnered significant media attention, with both parties preparing for a trial scheduled in March 2026. A judge has advised the legal teams to refrain from making public statements that could influence the case's outcome. 

Apatow's remarks at the DGA Awards highlight the intersection of Hollywood's legal disputes and public discourse, reflecting the industry's complex dyna

mics.