Justin Baldoni’s lawyer speaks out following claims of countersuit against It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively

Justin Baldoni's legal team have spoken out following reports that the actor intends to lodge a countersuit against Blake Lively.

The It Ends With Us actor, 40, has been rumoured to have been preparing his own complaint against his co-star after she accused him of sexual harassment and attempting to 'destroy' her reputation.

Lively alleges that Baldoni orchestrated a 'social manipulation' campaign to vilify her after the pair finished shooting the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's popular novel.

The Gossip Girl actress, 37, claims that the filmmaker - who directed and starred in the 2024 movie - had caused her 'severe emotional distress' behind-the-scenes.

Her complaint also alleges that he added 'improvised gratuitous sexual content and/or scenes involving nudity' into the film while displaying a 'shocking lack of boundaries'.

Baldoni has also been accused of sharing criticisms of Lively's 'body and weight', making comments about her deceased father Ernie and launching a deliberate smear campaign against her with his PR team.

The 'feud' between the pair was borne out of alleged poor behaviour from Baldoni on set, according to Lively's legal complaint.

"I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted," the mother-of-four told the BBC in a statement via her attorneys.

Baldoni's lawyers have vehemently denied the claims, calling them 'categorically false', adding: "The representatives of Wayfarer Studios still did nothing proactive nor retaliated, and only responded to incoming media inquiries to ensure balanced and factual reporting and monitored social activity."

The Los Angeles-based litigator has now addressed claims that the Jane the Virgin actor is set to file a countersuit against Lively on (Thursday) 2 January.

The It Ends With Us co-stars seen during filming (Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Baldoni, his business partner Jamey Heath and the publicists named in Lively's complaint were reported to be preparing to submit their own lawsuit when the courts reopen after the New Year.

According to the Daily Mail, it will suggest that Lively has been motivated to take legal action in a bid to overhaul her public image.

The countersuit will also reportedly claim that text messages have been presented out of context and that Lively's team planted stories to smear his reputation.

Despite not outright confirming the countersuit, Freedman warned that the contents of it would 'shock everyone'.

"I am not going to speak to when or how many lawsuits we are filing but when we file our first lawsuit, it is going to shock everyone who has been manipulated into believing a demonstrably false narrative," he told Deadline.

"It will be supported by real evidence and tell the true story. In over 30 years of practicing, I have never seen this level of unethical behaviour intentionally fuelled through media manipulation.

"It reminds me of what NBC tried to do to Megyn Kelly and Gabrielle Union and we all know how that ended up. Standby."

Freedman also told People that the countersuit will 'uncover and expose the false and destructive narrative' as well as 'dismantle the illusions propped up by those who believe themselves untouchable'.

Baldoni's lawyer said the contents of the countersuit would shock everyone' (John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images)

"This is not a response or countersuit - it's a deliberate pursuit of truth," he added.

After Lively's claims came to light, Baldoni was dropped by his agent, his The Man Enough podcast co-host Liz Plank quit and he was stripped of a women’s solidarity award from Vital Voices that he was honoured with on 9 December.

Lively's publicist Leslie Sloane - who runs Vision PR - has denied allegations that the actress' team planted stories about him.

She also told Deadline: "I was contacted on 8/11 by Sara Nathan (Melissa Nathan’s sister) forwarding an anonymous tip that Page Six received, regarding allegations of HR complaints on the set of It Ends with Us.

“After that, I was contacted by various press outlets asking about allegations of HR complaints.

"When contacted, I responded to press questions by referring them to Wayfarer or Sony for information regarding HR complaints.

“It’s clear that Mr. Baldoni and his Wayfarer Associates are suggesting that I originated press stories about HR complaints on set, which is false.

"Please read Ms. Lively’s Complaint and the Complaint filed by Jonesworks LLC and Stephanie Jones, which provides the details of the campaign against my client."

LADbible has previously contacted Lively and Baldoni's representatives for comment.