The controversy stems from allegations that Baldoni sexually harassed Lively and fostered a toxic work environment during the filming of "It Ends with Us." The situation escalated into a public feud, with lawsuits from both sides.

In a recent development, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have sought an injunction against Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, alleging that Freedman has launched a "media campaign of harassment and revenge" against them.

Now, insiders suggest that Reynolds played a key role in it pushing for a gag order in an effort to protect not only his reputation and professional efforts but also the well-being of his wife.

"Ryan was the driving force behind seeking a gag order for Justin's lawyer," the source said Daily Mail. "Ryan's production company, Maximum Effort Productions, has several projects in the works, and he would be horrified if this legal drama disrupted his colleagues or employees."

The source further revealed that Reynolds' concerns extended beyond his own career.

Lively's portrayal of Lily Bloom in the adaptation of Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel was supposed to be a major career comeback after her hiatus in raising four children: daughters James, Betty and Inez, and son Olin.

"Ryan isn't just focused on his career," the insider continued. “He is also deeply concerned for Blake's well-being. This whole ordeal has taken its toll on both of us, and the uncertainty surrounding the case is unnerving.”

Court documents filed Tuesday reveal that Reynolds and Lively requested a protective order to prevent Freedman from engaging in "misconduct" against them. According to TMJthe couple claims Freedman is violating court rules that prohibit statements to the press that could prejudice the jury. They cite the release of unedited footage of a dance scene between Lively and Baldoni—footage that Lively described as evidence of Baldoni's alleged harassment.

However, critics of the request for a gag order have been vocal. Another source said Daily Mail that the request was "absurd" and unlikely to succeed. "To think that Baldoni or Freedman would be silenced to discuss a case in which they are directly involved is ridiculous. Everyone has the right to defend themselves."

This legal battle has been brewing since August, and rumors of tension between Lively and Baldoni surfaced around the premiere of "It Ends with Us."

Fans noticed the lack of joint interviews and the obvious distance between colleagues on the red carpet. The situation erupted in December when Lively filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni. The New York Times subsequently published a report, based on her legal filings, accusing Baldoni of orchestrating a smear campaign against her.

Baldoni responded with his own lawsuitsincluding a defamation suit against The New York Times and a $400 million counterclaim against Lively and Reynolds. In his counterclaim, Baldoni accused the couple of conspiring to destroy his reputation and alleged that Lively had appropriated the filming process. Baldoni also claimed that he and his family were pushed into the basement area during the film's premiere to avoid any interaction with Lively.

Reynolds was not spared in his counterclaim, with Baldoni accusing him of verbally abusing him during a meeting at the couple's New York penthouse. Reynolds reportedly attended the meeting as his wife's "representative" to address Baldoni's alleged behavior.

This latest development comes as leaked behind-the-scenes footage from the set of "It Ends with Us" escalates the ongoing legal dispute between the movie's star, Lively, and her director and co-star, Baldoni. The video, which features what appears to be an innocuous slow-dance scene, has become a focal point in their feud, with both sides using it to bolster their conflicting arguments.

The leaked footage, shot in May 2023, reveals three shots of a key scene from the film. The scene shows Lively and Baldoni's characters, Lily and Ryle, slow dancing in a bar, described in the script as "completely in their own world". Baldoni's team claims the video highlights the professional atmosphere on set and challenges the credibility of Lively's claims.

"I just see her trying to stay lighthearted and upbeat about it and not bother him or anybody, and not waste anybody's time," she said THR. "But of course she's caught between a rock and a hard place. I can see her reassuring him and trying to keep a smile on her face."

As the legal battle unfolds, both sides remain steadfast in their narratives.