Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Face Potential Trial Over It Ends With Us Allegations | Entertainment & Arts News
A court date has been established for Blake Lively and her co-star, as well as director, Justin Baldoni from It Ends With Us.
Both parties have initiated lawsuits against one another after Lively made an initial legal claim accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment on set and allegedly plotting to tarnish her image.
In response, Baldoni filed a lawsuit against Lively and her spouse Ryan Reynolds, asserting that they hijacked the film’s production and marketing, and attempted to defame him and others involved through fabricated claims.
Blake Lively was seen alongside her husband Ryan Reynolds at the New York premiere of It Ends With Us, but not with co-star Justin Baldoni. Pic: NDZ/STAR MAX/IPx 2024
It Ends With Us is an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel from 2016, which starts as a romance but delves into serious themes of domestic violence.
The film surpassed box office expectations upon its August release, yet it was marred by online speculation of a rift between the two leads, who were not photographed together at the premiere and did not participate in promotional interviews as a duo.
Judge Lewis J Liman has now scheduled the trial for March 2026.
This follows a claim from Lively’s legal representation, citing that a lawyer for Baldoni was attempting to sway potential jurors by launching a website to disclose selected documents and communications between the two.
“The continuous stream of defamatory and extrajudicial media statements must cease,” asserted Lively’s legal team.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
August 2024: Blake Lively on acting and producing on It Ends With US
Baldoni’s representative, Bryan Freedman, responded by stating that they would “honor the court” but emphasized their desire for the public to view the actual text messages that directly contest her claims, alongside video evidence that they believe substantiates their position.
In a separate matter in Texas, Lively has filed for an order for a deposition from a crisis management expert she claims was responsible for much of the alleged social media manipulation that reportedly tainted public perception against her.
Chronology of the legal case
In late December, Lively initiated a lawsuit against Baldoni, his production company, and others in New York over sexual harassment and damage to her reputation, seeking unspecified damages.
Baldoni subsequently filed his lawsuit earlier this month, claiming defamation and extortion against Lively and her husband, the Deadpool star and Wrexham FC co-owner Reynolds, seeking at least $400 million (£321 million) in damages.
The judge indicated on Monday that it is likely the lawsuits will be merged for the upcoming trial.
Earlier in January, Baldoni also filed a libel lawsuit against The New York Times regarding an article it published involving allegations against him.
Lively gained recognition in the 2005 film The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants and achieved fame through the TV series Gossip Girl, which aired from 2007 to 2012. She is also noted for her roles in films like The Town and The Shallows.
Baldoni is recognized for his role in the TV comedy Jane The Virgin, as well as for directing the 2019 film Five Feet Apart. He also authored Man Enough, a book challenging traditional views on masculinity.
