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Blake Lively‘s Enterprising Contract Demands Revealed in Legal battle with ‘Breaking the Circle‘ Co-Star
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A draft contract filed by actress Blake Lively reveals the star envisioned a sweep of major awards – including an Oscar – for her role in the 2024 film Breaking the Circle, and negotiated financial incentives accordingly. The document, submitted as part of ongoing legal proceedings against co-star Justin Baldoni, details a series of escalating payments tied to nominations and wins at the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and SAG Awards, offering a glimpse into Lively’s expectations for the film and her own performance.
The contract, initially proposed before filming began and ultimately unsigned, surfaced on October 9th as part of Lively’s lawsuit against baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and other parties involved in the film’s production. According to court filings, the papers shed light on the professional relationship between Lively and Baldoni, both of whom served as executive producers on the project.
Oscar Dreams and Six-Figure incentives
The draft contract outlined a substantial financial reward for awards recognition. Lively proposed receiving $100,000 for an Oscar nomination and a further $200,000 should she win the coveted award – equivalent to approximately €86,000 and €172,000, respectively. She also negotiated potential payouts for Golden Globe and SAG Awards recognition. A nomination at the Golden Globes would have earned her $75,000 (roughly €64,000), with a win netting an additional $100,000 (€86,000). SAG Award nominations were valued at $50,000, increasing to $75,000 for a win. Despite hoping for this recognition with Breaking the Circle, Lively has yet to receive a nomination from any of these three prestigious awards.
Confidentiality and Box Office Bonuses
Beyond individual accolades, the proposed contract included a clause attempting to prevent disputes from becoming public. It stipulated that any disagreements between Lively and the film’s producers, including Baldoni, would be resolved through confidential arbitration in Los Angeles.However, this clause was not included in the final contract, as both actors have publicly discussed their legal issues.
the draft also detailed a potential $250,000 bonus (approximately €215,000) for Lively each time the film achieved notable box office success, defined as grossing three to five times its $25 million production cost. Breaking the Circle ultimately grossed $351.4 million worldwide, not including streaming revenue, suggesting the actress could have earned a substantial bonus had the contract been signed.
Perks and Amenities: A Star’s Demands
The contract also outlined a range of amenities for Lively during filming. These included a $1,500 weekly allowance for assistant fees, a personal driver, and exclusive access to a private trailer. She was also allocated $1,000 per week for training and meals while filming in New York and New Jersey. Notably, the contract proposed a private jet for travel to Las Vegas filming locations, accommodating Lively, her assistant, security team, and her children’s two nannies.
Legal Battle and Allegations of Harassment
The release of these documents coincides with a contentious legal battle.lively filed a lawsuit in December 2024 alleging sexual harassment by Baldoni and a subsequent smear campaign orchestrated in response to her reporting the alleged misconduct. Baldoni has vehemently denied the accusations. The trial is currently scheduled to begin in March 2026.
Based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel It Ends with Us, Breaking the Circle tells the story of Lily Bloom, a 23-year-old entrepreneur navigating a complex and often unhealthy relationship. The film’s premiere on August 9th has been overshadowed by the escalating conflict between its stars, a situation that has demonstrably impacted the production’s reputation.
