Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni resolved a legal battle this week by settling a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Lively over her film It Ends With Us. However, after a lengthy court process and legal/criminal compensation decisions, the actor and actor-director couple now face a different kind of challenge: rebuilding their Hollywood careers.

Top executives in the industry express that both artists will struggle to find work in Hollywood. An unofficial survey conducted by The Hollywood Reporter revealed that agents, producers, studio executives, and casting directors shared similar sentiments: both parties have suffered serious damage due to prolonged legal and public relations battles. While these opinions do not question Lively's or Baldoni's talent, they highlight the extent of the damage caused by this process, which ended in pyrrhic victories.

It Ends With Us, which stars and is produced by Lively, is a drama directed and produced by Baldoni. The film achieved commercial success globally, grossing $351 million on a budget of $25 million. The dispute between the two artists is not about profit-sharing or credit issues, but rather centers on allegations behind the filming process and public management; these include accusations of sexual harassment and smear campaigns, with both sides filing lawsuits against each other.

Casting director Matthew Barry, known for productions like The Notebook and Rush Hour, stated that both actors will go through a tough time. Barry noted that similar negative headlines and conflicts faced by Johnny Depp and Amber Heard kept both of them away from studio work for a long time, but reminded that Depp will star in Paramount's upcoming Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, his first major studio film since 2018.

While sources surveyed generally agree that some parts of Hollywood may be reluctant to work with Lively and Baldoni, most believe Lively's comeback will be easier. Some executives suggest that Lively needs to stay away from the public eye for a while and "carefully choose her next role." A producer who has previously worked with controversial talents added humorously, "If I were in her place, I would play a villain role and turn this negative image into a profitable one."