Justin Baldoni is taking legal action.

Days after his It Ends With Us costar Blake Lively filed a complaint accusing him of sexual harassment and participating in a smear campaign against her, the actor—among a group of 10 plaintiffs as seen in court documents published by Variety—has filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times for their report, published Dec. 21, which centered around Lively's sexual harassment allegations.

Bryan Freedman, the attorney who filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court Dec. 31 on behalf of the plaintiffs, told the publication in a statement that the NYT “cowered to the wants and whims of two powerful 'untouchable' Hollywood elites, disregarding journalistic practices and ethics once befitting of the revered publication by using doctored and manipulated texts and intentionally omitting texts which dispute their chosen PR narrative.”

E! News has reached out to Lively's rep and The New York Times for comment and has not heard back. 

While Lively's complaint was filed with the California Civil Rights Department as a precursor to a lawsuit, Lively's attorneys confirmed to Variety Dec. 31 that they filed a federal complaint in the Southern District of New York.

“Unfortunately, Ms. Lively’s decision to speak out has resulted in further retaliation and attacks," her legal team told the outlet. "As alleged in Ms. Lively’s federal Complaint, Wayfarer and its associates have violated federal and California state law by retaliating against her for reporting sexual harassment and workplace safety concerns. Now, the defendants will answer for their conduct in federal court."

Freedman, a lawyer for Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios, previously denied Lively's complaint allegations, calling it “another desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her negative reputation.”

“These claims are completely false," he continued, "outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media."

In the Gossip Girl alum's complaint, obtained by E! News, she detailed a meeting that took place in January 2024 to address "the hostile work environment that had nearly derailed production."

According to the documents, parties present at the meeting, including Lively, husband Ryan Reynolds, Baldoni, as well as Wayfarer exec and producer Jamey Heath, among others, "discussed in detail the inappropriate conduct that Ms. Lively, her employees and other cast and crew experienced at the hands of Mr. Baldoni and Mr. Heath."

Among those details, per the complaint, were "showing nude videos or images of women, including producer's wife" to Lively or her employees, no more "mention of Mr. Baldoni's or Mr. Heath's previous 'pornography addiction'" or mentioning actress' late father Ernie Lively. 

As a result of the discussion, all parties present agreed that the "conduct would cease." And filming was able to be completed the following month.

The alleged smear campaign against Lively impacted her family, including her and Reynolds' four kids: James, 10, Inez, 8, Betty, 5, and Olin, born in 2023.

“Worst of all, however, has been the impact on their young children, who have been traumatized,” the complaint notes, “and emotionally uprooted in ways that have substantially impacted their well-being.” 

“There are days when she has struggled to get out of bed, and she frequently chooses not to venture outside in public,” the docs add. “While she has fought to maintain her personal life and business interests, behind closed doors she has suffered from grief, fear, trauma, and extreme anxiety."

Keep reading to the stars who've spoken out following Lively's complaint...

After Blake Lively filed a legal complaint against It Ends With Us costar and director Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment on the film's set and for later taking part in a smear campaign against her—claims that he has since denied via his lawyer—Colleen Hoover, who wrote the book that the movie is based on, shared a message to the actress.

"@blakelively, you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met," Colleen wrote on her Instagram Stories Dec. 21. "Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt."

Blake's sister, fellow actress Robyn Lively, also weighed in.

"I urge everyone to read The NY Times article in its entirety," Robyn wrote on Instagram Dec. 23, referencing the NYT piece that details Blake's complaint filed with the California Civil Rights Department. "It calls out those behind the ruthless and nefarious smear campaign that aimed to take down my sister."

The Teen Witch star went on to note that it also "highlights" what Blake allegedly experienced on the set of It Ends With Us.

Blake's A Simple Favor director also came to her defense, writing on X Dec. 22, "I’ve now made two movies with Blake and all I can say is she’s one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I’ve ever worked with. She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s awful she was put through this."

The comedian showed her support for the Gossip Girl alum, writing on her Instagram Story Dec. 22, "I believe Blake."

Shortly after Blake's complaint was made public, the Goop founder shared a photo of The Town star's hair company, Blake Brown, on her Instagram Story, writing, "Just added to my Christmas wish list."

Blake's BFFs and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants costars penned a joint message, posted to Instagram Dec. 22, stating they "stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation."

Bart Johnson shared an impassioned defense of his sister-in-law in the comments section of a New York Times Instagram post detailing the filing and its own investigation into the behind-the-scenes turmoil.

“Her complained were filed during the filming,” the High School Musical alum, who is married to Blake's sister Robyn, wrote. “On record. Long before the public conflict. The cast unfollowed him for a reason. Read this article before spitting ignorance. His PR team was stellar. Gross and disgusting but highly effective. Read the article, their text message exchanges and his PR campaign strategy to bury her by any means necessary. No one is with out faults. But the public got played."

He later added on X of Baldoni, "He’s a fraud. He puts on the 'costume' of a hero, man bun and all. Used all of the trendy catchphrases & buzz words for his podcasts. None of it’s genuine. It’s all theater. And everyone fell for it. For years. Rewatch his videos with a more critical eye and watch him compliment and praise himself with faux humility and self deprecation. What a performance."

Ryan Reynolds' frequent collaborator Shawn Levy shared the New York Times investigation into the smear campaign on his Instagram Stories, writing, "Proud to call @blakelively a friend."

Days after Lively's filing was made public, Amber Heard reflected on her own experience facing relentless vitriol online amid ex Johnny Depp's defamation trial against her.

“Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on,’” the Aquaman star expressed in a statement to NBC News Dec. 23. “I saw this firsthand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.”

Brandon Sklenar, who played Blake's love interest Atlas Corrigan in It Ends With Us, had a simple, pointed message of support.

Sharing a screenshot of the Gossip Girl alum's full complaint against Baldoni on his Instagram Stories Dec. 23, he wrote over a link to the text, "For the love of God read this." He followed up by tagging her with a heart emoji.

Jenny Slate, who played Baldoni's sister and Blake's BFF in the film, shared her thoughts on the "disturbing" allegations.

“As Blake Lively’s castmate and friend, I voice my support as she takes action against those reported to have planned and carried out an attack on her reputation,” Slate said in a Dec. 23 statement to Today. “Blake is a leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support for me and so many who know and love her.”

“What has been revealed about the attack on Blake is terribly dark, disturbing, and wholly threatening," the Parks and Recreation alum continued. "I commend my friend, I admire her bravery, and I stand by her side.”

The actor, who stars alongside Lively in the upcoming sequel to A Simple Favor, sent his love to her on Instagram Story Dec. 23, adding that he felt her "pain" as they filmed together earlier this year.