Lively v. Baldoni Tests What Crosses the Line on a ‘Steamy’ Movie Set

Footage of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni slow dancing on the set of It Ends With Us has become central evidence in Ms. Lively’s civil suit. She and her supporters view the clips as an unscripted advance and part of a broader pattern of harassment; Mr. Baldoni’s team says the moments—about 10 minutes of footage—show appropriate behavior for a scene meant to depict a couple falling in love.

At a January hearing, Judge Lewis J. Liman pressed both sides on how far a director may improvise, and Ms. Lively’s lawyer, Esra Hudson, pointed to the intimacy-coordinator protocol widely used in Hollywood that requires actors to review and approve intimate scenes in advance.

Mr. Baldoni’s lawyers argued the exchanges were not sexual-harassment violations, calling them miscommunications and awkward comments. Ms. Lively’s nudity rider, the complaint notes, limited how much skin she would show and required written approval for changes to intimate scenes.

United States, Hollywood

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