Secret Level Short and Metroidvania Reveal May Spell Trouble for Pac-Man Movie Amid Director Justin Baldoni’s Legal Issues

You better get ready for a wild ride because the much-anticipated Pac-Man movie might be facing some turbulence. Director Justin Baldoni is caught up in a legal tussle with Blake Lively over misconduct claims that stemmed from the production of last year’s hit film, “It Ends With Us.”

This romantic drama raked in an impressive $351 million worldwide on a relatively modest $25 million budget. However, the off-screen drama took the spotlight when Lively accused Baldoni, who also co-starred in the film, of cultivating a toxic work atmosphere and engaging in sexual harassment. These allegations are now casting a shadow over the development of the anticipated Pac-Man film.

The Hollywood Reporter recently published an in-depth piece unraveling Baldoni and Lively’s contentious situation and its impact on this long-anticipated project. While the article is certainly worth a full read for those wanting all the details, here are the crucial Pac-Man-related highlights.

The publication revealed a text from Baldoni to his PR team dated August 18, suggesting that announcing his role as director for a Pac-Man movie might help him pivot towards future opportunities. Since 2022, Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios have been tied to the Pac-Man project, but whether he would direct it was up in the air. Now, with his conflict with Lively evolving into a significant legal battle, his involvement is even more uncertain, leaving a trio of projects in limbo.

Bandai Namco, which holds the rights to Pac-Man, has so far remained silent when approached by The Hollywood Reporter for comments. Christopher Yost, noted for his work on “Thor: Ragnarok” and Netflix’s “Cowboy Bebop,” was reportedly penning the script, though the current status remains a mystery. Given last year’s launch of the Prime Video series “Secret Level” and its popular horror-themed Pac-Man short, one might speculate if the film was intended to follow a similar path. December also brought the surprise announcement of “Shadow Labyrinth,” a mature Metroidvania reimagining inspired by the short.

In the midst of the legal woes with Lively, Wayfarer Studios hasn’t unveiled any new projects. However, insiders suggest the company is keen on pursuing new deals as a gesture to show they’re still open for business. For now, the Pac-Man movie appears to be on ice, hanging by a thread, with or without Baldoni steering the ship.