Michael Moore's Next Documentary to Tackle Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni Legal Drama

The acclaimed documentary filmmaker Michael Moore, known for tackling corporate giants and political controversies, appears to be venturing into new territory with his latest project. In a recent Deadline interview, Moore revealed he's been quietly working on a film that may explore the legal dispute between actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.

The Brewing Legal Storm

The controversy erupted when Blake Lively filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles Superior Court against Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, alleging sexual harassment and claiming they orchestrated a campaign to defame her image. Baldoni responded with counterclaims, filing defamation suits against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and public relations specialist Leslie Sloane. The legal battle expanded when Baldoni's legal team also targeted The New York Times over their initial coverage of the allegations, releasing raw footage from the set to support their defense against any misconduct claims.

Moore's Mysterious Connection

While remaining deliberately vague about his involvement, Moore dropped intriguing hints during his interview. "Yes, I've been working on something for the past few months, but I can't talk about it right now," the director stated. He then added a cryptic reference to "interesting stories about how Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and Wayfarer tie into a film I'm trying to make."

Challenges in Modern Filmmaking

The 70-year-old filmmaker acknowledged the risks involved in his current project while emphasizing his determination to move forward. "If you were in my position, you'd need to stay alive long enough to make the film," Moore remarked. He continued, "We're working quietly with our producers. We don't want to be stopped, so I won't say much more. But for now, we're progressing."

Broader Industry Concerns

Moore also addressed growing concerns about censorship in American media, particularly highlighting the distribution challenges faced by films like the Palestine/Israel documentary "No Other Land." He emphasized the need for brave voices in the industry, stating, "We need people with courage who don't bow to propaganda or pay attention to it."

Current Projects and Advocacy

Beyond his mysterious new project, Moore continues his involvement in challenging documentary work. He serves as a producer for "From Ground Zero," Palestine's Oscar nominee comprising 22 short films documenting Gazans' survival during the Israel-Hamas War. The film currently maintains a limited theatrical release in the United States.

The veteran filmmaker expressed frustration about media access, noting, "How often do you see people like me on CNN? Not much." He described his personal struggles over the past year to secure distribution and television appearances for his work, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by documentary filmmakers addressing controversial subjects.