Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Head to Trial in Explosive Legal Feud

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Actress Blake Lively and her “It Ends with Us” co-star and director Justin Baldoni are set to face off in court next March, following a New York judge’s decision to schedule a trial in their escalating legal battle. The dispute, which includes allegations of sexual harassment and smear campaigns, has captivated Hollywood and the public alike.

The conflict began during the production of the 2024 film adaptation of Colleen Hoover‘s best-selling novel, “It Ends with Us.” Lively, 37, accused Baldoni, 40, of “invasive, unprofessional, and sexually inappropriate behavior” on set, including unwanted touching and entering her makeup trailer uninvited while she was undressed. Baldoni has denied all allegations and countersued Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for defamation and extortion, claiming they orchestrated a campaign to tarnish his reputation.

The legal feud intensified in December 2024 when Lively filed an 80-page complaint with the California Civil Rights Department against Baldoni, the film’s studio, and his publicists. The complaint coincided with a New York Times article detailing an alleged smear campaign against Lively. Baldoni responded by filing a $250 million libel lawsuit against the Times, which has stood by its reporting.

In January 2025, Baldoni launched a $400 million countersuit against Lively and Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion. He claimed Lively falsified stories to make him a “scapegoat” amid negative press. Baldoni’s legal team released a 10-minute video and a seven-minute audio message to counter Lively’s allegations, portraying him as empathetic and professional. Lively’s team, however, argued that the video showed her discomfort during filming.

Public relations experts and legal analysts have weighed in on the case. Tieja MacLaughlin, a Toronto-based crisis PR consultant, noted that Baldoni’s team has been proactive in shaping the narrative. Meanwhile, Los Angeles employment and entertainment lawyer Camron Dowlatshahi highlighted potential challenges for both parties, including meeting legal standards for harassment and defamation claims.

As the trial date approaches, the case continues to draw comparisons to other high-profile Hollywood disputes, such as Johnny Depp‘s defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard. The outcome could have significant implications for both Lively and Baldoni’s careers and the broader entertainment industry.