A legal battle between actors Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively has taken a surprising turn, with pop star Taylor Swift now mentioned in the ongoing dispute. Baldoni, known for his role in "Jane the Virgin," has filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, alleging civil extortion and defamation, among other claims. The lawsuit stems from Lively's initial accusations of sexual harassment against Baldoni during the filming of their movie "It Ends With Us." Baldoni, however, contends that Lively's allegations are false and were made to salvage her reputation after controversies surrounding the film's press tour.

Central to Baldoni's argument is Lively's alleged exertion of control over the film's production. He claims Lively leveraged her friendship with Swift to pressure him into accepting her rewrite of a key scene. According to the complaint, after initially expressing hesitation, Baldoni agreed to review Lively's revised scene. Subsequently, Lively invited him to her NYC residence, where Baldoni claims he felt pressured by Swift and Reynolds to use the rewritten scene. He later texted Lively praising her work, adding that he wouldn't have needed the influence of Reynolds and Swift to appreciate her talent. Lively reportedly responded by referring to Swift and Reynolds as her protective "dragons," emphasizing their influence and her reliance on their creative input.

Baldoni interprets this exchange as evidence that he was facing pressure not only from Lively but also from two highly influential celebrities. His lawsuit alleges that Lively's actions, coupled with the perceived influence of Swift and Reynolds, constituted a form of intimidation. Fox News has reached out to Swift's representative for comment.

Baldoni's lawsuit further alleges that Lively subjected him, his family, and colleagues to ongoing torment throughout the film's production. He seeks $400 million in damages. Lively's representatives have vehemently denied Baldoni's claims, characterizing his lawsuit as a classic case of "DARVO" (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender), a tactic often used by abusers to deflect blame onto their victims. They maintain that Lively's allegations of sexual harassment are supported by concrete evidence and that Baldoni's lawsuit is a desperate attempt to discredit her.

Lively's initial complaint detailed alleged instances of sexual harassment, retaliation, and emotional distress caused by Baldoni and film producer Jamey Heath. She claims to have raised concerns about inappropriate behavior before filming began, including requests to refrain from displaying nude images of women, discussing personal sexual experiences, and making comments about her weight or deceased father. Baldoni's lawyer has denied these allegations, calling them false and salacious.