What Happened to Wayfarer Studios?

Wayfarer Studios was established in 2019 by actor and filmmaker Justin Baldoni and entrepreneur Steve Sarowitz, initially as Wayfarer Entertainment. The studio's core mission is to develop, produce, and finance a diverse range of original content, including feature films, episodic television, documentaries, unscripted series, and podcasts, with a strong emphasis on inspirational stories and social change.

In 2019, Wayfarer sold a majority stake to investment fund 4S Bay Partners, which helped establish a $25 million content fund, and the company was subsequently rebranded as Wayfarer Studios in 2020. Further solidifying its financial backing, the studio received a substantial $125 million investment from co-founder Steve Sarowitz in 2022. Under the leadership of CEO Jamey Heath and President Tera Hanks, appointed in early 2024, Wayfarer Studios has championed a model that aims to disrupt traditional Hollywood by prioritizing human connection and impactful narratives.

The studio has been behind several notable productions, including Baldoni's directorial efforts "Five Feet Apart" (2019) and "Clouds" (2020), the latter of which was acquired by Disney+. More recently, Wayfarer Studios co-financed and produced the highly successful 2024 romance drama "It Ends With Us," which Baldoni directed and starred in, grossing $351 million at the box office. Other projects include "The Garfield Movie" (2024), "Ezra" (2023), "A Nice Indian Boy" (2025), and Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut, "Eleanor the Great," which premiered at the 78th Festival de Cannes in 2025.

However, Wayfarer Studios has also faced significant legal challenges in 2025 and 2026. In December 2024, The New York Times published an investigation titled "We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine," which detailed allegations of sexual harassment and workplace retaliation against Baldoni and others associated with the production of 'It Ends With Us'. In January 2025, Wayfarer Studios and Baldoni filed a federal defamation lawsuit against the newspaper, which was dismissed with prejudice in June 2025. Subsequently, in July 2026, Wayfarer Studios was ordered to pay The New York Times over $171,000 in damages following the dismissal of its defamation lawsuit under New York's anti-SLAPP law.

Separately, actress Blake Lively filed a lawsuit in late 2024 alleging sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign during the filming of "It Ends With Us." While Baldoni consistently denied the allegations and his countersuit against Lively was dismissed in 2025, a significant portion of Lively's claims against Wayfarer Studios and associated PR firms were dismissed in April 2026. The intense legal saga culminated in a settlement between Blake Lively and Wayfarer Studios in May 2026, avoiding a high-profile trial. Amidst these legal battles, the Wayfarer Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Wayfarer Studios, announced its shutdown in May 2025, with co-founder Steve Sarowitz citing financial and emotional strain, though Wayfarer Studios itself continued operations.

As of September 2026, Wayfarer Studios remains active in production. The studio is set to produce Gina Rodriguez's theatrical directorial debut, "House of Guerrero," a boxing drama starring Rodriguez and professional boxer Ryan Garcia. This project marks a significant reunion for Rodriguez and Baldoni, who previously co-starred in "Jane the Virgin." The studio continues to focus on its mission of creating impactful and socially relevant entertainment.