Blake Lively and Ben Affleck go way back to 2010. More than 15 years after they first crossed paths, the two made headlines in January 2026 after an email Lively apparently sent to Affleck went viral. The message, which appeared to be sent in May 2024, was one of more than 180 unsealed documents in connection with Lively and Justin Baldoni's ongoing legal battle over the movie It Ends With Us. Lively initially filed a complaint against Baldoni in the California Civil Rights Department before accusing him of sexual harassment, among other allegations, in a lawsuit. Baldoni has continued to deny Lively's claims and even filed a countersuit of his own, which was dismissed in June 2025. Lively and Baldoni are set to face off in court in May 2026. Ahead of the trial, several court documents were released, including several messages between Lively and A-list stars. In her email to Affleck, the Gossip Girl alum told him there was "zero pressure" to watch her cut of It Ends With Us and offer feedback - although it would be greatly appreciated. Getty Images (2) "I've just come out the other side (well almost) of the most upsetting experience I've ever had on a movie," she wrote, in part. "The making of doc of this film would be more interesting than the movie could ever be." While Affleck's full name was redacted from the document, a reference to a Dunkin' commercial and to Matt Damon hinted at her writing to the Oscar winner. Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's New Court Documents: Biggest Bombshells Keep scrolling to look back at Lively and Affleck's relationship through the years: Did Blake Lively and Ben Affleck Ever Work Together? Yes, Lively starred alongside Affleck in the 2010 movie The Town. Lively took on the role of Kris Coughlin while Affleck directed the film and starred as Doug MacRay. The characters have an onscreen relationship and Affleck praised Lively for her professionalism when filming their sex scene in the movie. "You and I had to do a sex scene on the first day of shooting, and you were very poised and comfortable about it, more mature than some of the crew members," recalled during a conversation with Interview magazine in 2010. Lively joked that "it was good to break the ice" with an intimate scene on their first day, but admitting that it was "really awkward." Courtesy Everett Collection Did Blake Lively Email Ben Affleck? January 2026 court documents appear to reveal that she did - and was seeking his help. "I also ended up having to direct the movie via the chaotic clown 'director'/actor/producer/financier/studio head at the center. Yes that's all the same person," Lively told Affleck in the email. "Oh and did I mention he and everyone he had on the movie is in a cult." Ryan Reynolds Allegedly Texted Matt Damon About 'Sociopathic' Justin Baldoni Lively explained to Affleck that she and Baldoni were in a "bake off" with their versions of the movie and she hoped that he would assist in reviewing hers. "I just really want this to work after all I've put into it," she wrote. "This movie nearly killed me. And I can think of very few people who would be as prescriptive and insightful as I know you would be." Did Ben Affleck Respond to Blake Lively's Apparent Email? It appears he did not. No response from Affleck back to Lively was released with the January 2026 court documents. Us Weekly has reached out to Affleck's team for comment.