Despite being entangled in a high-profile lawsuit related to his recent film It Ends With Us, Justin Baldoni is pushing forward with his next project, The Senior, set to be his first release of 2025.
Although Baldoni will not be featured in the March 7 release of the sports drama, he will serve as a producer alongside Allen Media Group’s Freestyle Releasing and his own production company, Wayfarer Studios.
Based on a true event, the movie follows Michael Chiklis’ character, former collegiate football player Mike Flynt, when he learns that he has a second chance at his ambition after being dismissed from his team 35 years prior.
“We’re honored to partner with Freestyle to bring Mike Flynt’s inspiring story to audiences nationwide,” Wayfarer’s President of Production, Andrew Calof, said in a November 2024 statement. “With Michael Chiklis leading an incredible cast, Rod Lurie’s direction, and the remarkable work of Mark Ciardi, the team at Ten Acre Films, and our partners at Unity Entertainment, we’re excited to share this powerful message about never giving up on your dreams.”
Less than six months have passed since the publication of The Senior, which discusses the controversy surrounding Baldoni’s conflict with his co-star Blake Lively in It Ends With Us, a project that Baldoni produced, directed, and acted in.
In December 2024, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, accusing him and Wayfarer Studios of sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment, and launching an alleged smear campaign against her.
This came after rumours of a rift between the two started after the film’s Los Angeles premiere, where Baldoni did not appear alongside the rest of the cast.
In his $400 million countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and Lively’s publicist Leslie Sloan, Baldoni refuted all of the accusations. The actor mentioned false light, defamation, and civil extortion.
A trial date is currently set for March 9, 2026.
‘The Senior’ release date
The Senior’s theatrical release is set for Friday, March 7.
‘The Senior’ cast
In addition to Chiklis in the main role, the film stars Mary Stuart Masterson, Brandon Flynn, James Badge Dale, and Rob Corddry.
Is Justin Baldoni directing the movie?
While Baldoni and Wayfarer studios serve as producers, the film is directed by Rod Lurie (The Contender) with a script by Robert Eisele (The Great Debaters).
