Star dispute: Co-star Baldoni is suing Blake Lively and husband Reynolds

US actor Justin Baldoni has sued his star colleagues Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds for defamation. Lively (37) had previously reported Baldoni in December for sexual harassment during the filming of the film “Just One More Time” and accused him and producer Jamey Heath in a lawsuit of wanting to destroy their reputation.

In their lawsuit, Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios call the allegations false and accuse Lively, her husband and “Deadpool” actor Reynolds (48) and their press agent of manipulating the media. They also took over the production and marketing of the film. The plaintiffs are demanding compensation of at least $400 million (around €389 million).

“This case is about two of the most powerful stars in the world using their enormous power to steal an entire film from the hands of the director and production studio,” the lawsuit says.

Lively statement: tables are turned on victims

Baldoni (40, “Jane The Virgin”) played one of the main roles alongside Lively in the book adaptation, which was released in cinemas in August, and also directed it. He also sued the New York Times newspaper for defamation for its reporting on Lively’s (“Gossip Girl”) allegations against him.

Lively’s lawyers responded in a statement quoted by US media. “This is an age-old story: a woman comes forward with concrete evidence of sexual harassment and retaliation, and the perpetrator attempts to turn the tables on the victim,” it said.