Justin Baldoni, the American actor and filmmaker behind It Ends With Us, has brought legal proceedings against three major insurers after they refused to cover mounting defence costs linked to litigation with co-star Blake Lively.
In a complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, accuse New York Marine, QBE Insurance, and Lloyd’s of London underwriters of breaching their contractual obligations. At stake is a combined insurance coverage said to be worth over $8 million.
The lawsuit marks the latest turn in a bitter legal saga that has drawn in multiple Hollywood figures and financial heavyweights. At its centre are allegations by Ms Lively concerning sexual harassment, privacy violations and reputational damage during the filming of the Colleen Hoover adaptation. Baldoni, who directed and starred in the production, denies any wrongdoing.
Wayfarer and a related production vehicle, It Ends With Us Movie LLC, have reportedly been footing Baldoni’s legal fees since the dispute arose. The burden of these costs, and the insurers’ refusal to assume them, has prompted the present legal action.
The insurers maintain that they are under no obligation to defend or indemnify the production team. According to Wayfarer’s complaint, New York Marine had agreed to cover “personal and advertising injury”, while QBE’s policy included protections against certain production-related claims. Lloyd’s, it is said, covered multimedia and professional liabilities.
However, all three declined to honour these policies after being notified of the lawsuit brought by Lively in April. QBE reportedly acknowledged that the claims might fall under its coverage but pointed to unspecified exclusions. Lloyd’s cited a lack of information connecting the allegations to a relevant media project, although Wayfarer insists its podcast Man Enough is referenced repeatedly in the complaint.
This is not the first insurer to contest its role in the matter. Earlier this year, Harco National Insurance, which provided a $2 million policy, initiated its own action in federal court, seeking a declaration that it was not liable for defence costs. Harco contends that the incidents at issue occurred prior to its coverage period and that Wayfarer failed to disclose the allegations during the renewal process.
The legal drama has ensnared a host of prominent names. Baldoni’s ventures are reportedly backed by billionaire Steve Sarowitz, while Ms Lively is supported by her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds. Both sides have engaged high-profile legal counsel. Baldoni’s team previously included celebrity attorney Bryan Freedman, though McGuireWoods LLP is now representing Wayfarer in its suit against the insurers.
While much of the attention has focused on the personalities involved, the case raises important questions about the scope of entertainment insurance and the duty to defend. Harco’s claim that Wayfarer failed to disclose prior knowledge of potential litigation underscores the challenges insurers face in the #MeToo era, where reputational and legal risks in media production are increasingly scrutinised.
A New York court previously dismissed parts of Baldoni’s countersuit - namely, his claim of defamation against The New York Times - but several legal claims remain active.
A spokesperson for Ms Lively declined to comment to news outlets. Representatives for the insurers and Baldoni did not immediately respond to requests for a statement.
With trial proceedings scheduled for next year, the courtroom battles over It Ends With Us look set to continue well beyond the closing credits.
