**Rob McElhenney Stands by Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively as Legal Dispute with Justin Baldoni Unfolds**
Rob McElhenney, the actor and co-owner of Wrexham AFC, has publicly voiced his support for fellow actor Ryan Reynolds and his wife, Blake Lively, as the couple navigate the turbulent legal battle involving Lively’s ‘It Ends With Us’ co-star and director, Justin Baldoni. The dispute has not only gripped the entertainment world but has also prompted robust displays of solidarity from close friends, highlighting the pressure public figures face amid very public controversies.
Blake Lively, known for her roles in both television and film, has reportedly been embroiled in legal proceedings against Baldoni for several months. The origins of the case trace back to her allegations that Baldoni engaged in harassment during the filming of the 2024 romantic drama, ‘It Ends With Us.’ Justin Baldoni, who wore dual hats as both her co-star and director on the project, has fiercely denied the accusations and responded with a countersuit that has further complicated the matter.
Rob McElhenney, keen to avoid inflaming an already sensitive situation, spoke to Variety about his approach to supporting the embattled couple. He described it as a delicate balance: “We’re just doing what we can to stay connected and support each other without adding more fuel to the situation.” Alongside his wife and fellow actor Kaitlin Olson, McElhenney underscored the importance of offering both moral and practical support to the couple, especially given the “difficult and challenging” circumstances.
The complexity of the dispute deepened earlier this year when Baldoni filed his countersuit, alleging defamation and extortion on Lively’s part. His legal team has further argued that Lively sought to leverage her high-profile relationships—including with pop superstar Taylor Swift and husband Ryan Reynolds—during creative disputes related to the film.
According to court documents, Baldoni’s lawyers claimed: “He wasn’t just facing Lively, but also her so-called ‘dragons,’ referencing Reynolds and Swift, both internationally recognised celebrities with significant influence.” This assertion has ignited speculation about the role close-knit celebrity friendships play in high-stakes legal showdowns.
New developments have surfaced recently, with allegations that Blake Lively asked Taylor Swift to erase their text exchanges amid ongoing legal proceedings. Newly released court filings describe an anonymous source who purportedly witnessed this request, though the chronology remains unclear. The documents also state that Lively’s legal representative, Michael Gottlieb, allegedly sought a “statement of support” from Taylor Swift via her solicitors at Venable.
The legal filing contends that if Swift did not provide such a statement, there was an implied threat of releasing private text messages in Lively’s possession. Swift’s camp has responded by stating that the singer has no involvement in the film’s production and was abroad, engrossed in her record-shattering world tour throughout 2023 and 2024.
While Swift herself has not been implicated in any wrongdoing, she has been subpoenaed as a potential witness—an indication of how wide-ranging the dispute has become. Her publicist insists she remains peripheral to the core issues, and Lively’s legal team has strongly refuted the claims made in Baldoni’s court submissions, calling them “categorically false” and “completely untethered from reality.”
This ongoing saga has not only captivated fans but has also raised questions within the entertainment industry regarding privacy, professional boundaries, and the influence of celebrities’ personal networks amid legal disputes. As the court case proceeds, the support of allies such as McElhenney and Olson appears to be providing a lifeline for Reynolds and Lively during an undeniably testing period.
Notably, the friendship between Lively and Swift, who have been close since 2015, has itself become a point of interest, reflecting the sometimes inextricable blending of personal and professional lives for celebrities under the public’s gaze.
For now, with no resolution appearing imminent, those involved remain committed to both the legal process and their steadfast support networks. The situation continues to unfold, with the next developments eagerly anticipated by onlookers both within and beyond the film industry.